# What's an aunt to do? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 19, 2000, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-an-aunt-to-do/37564 "2000-10-19T18:47:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![techchick68](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ea5d25/32.png) [@techchick68](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/techchick68)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2000, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-an-aunt-to-do/37564/1 "2000-10-19T18:47:11Z")
My nephew’s birthday is Saturday and I am sitting here wondering, “What the heck do you get a three year old boy?” My sis-in-law does not let them watch much TV meaning they only see PBS type stuff and very few hours a week. My bro and sis-in-law are not hurting for money so those kids have everything. My sis-in-law gets them name brand clothing like Ralph Lauren to give you an idea. I am pulling my hair out trying to figure out what to get him. Any ideas? BTW, I do not give loud and obnoxious gifts. If it requires batteries and emits sounds I don’t give it to children. I prefer to remain on a parent’s good side. ---
**Author:** ![thinksnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thinksnow/32/2849_2.png) [@thinksnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thinksnow)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2000, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-an-aunt-to-do/37564/2 "2000-10-19T18:51:13Z")
a big-wheel or a sit and spin (do they still make these?) ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2000, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-an-aunt-to-do/37564/3 "2000-10-19T18:54:52Z")
Personally, I think books are always great - my daughter loved/still loves them… ---
**Author:** ![Athena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/35a633/32.png) [@Athena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Athena)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2000, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-an-aunt-to-do/37564/4 "2000-10-19T18:55:01Z")
How 'bout a puppy? OK, maybe that’s not the best idea. I always resort to books. I figure a kid can’t have too many of 'em, and they make 'em for all ages. Plus, I try to mold as many of my nieces/nephews as possible into small versions of myself, and that means they gotta learn to read early. ---
**Author:** ![monster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@monster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monster)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2000, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-an-aunt-to-do/37564/5 "2000-10-19T19:02:55Z")
Football, baseball and bat, dump truck (non-battery type), coloring books and crayons, play doh, Box O Dinosaurs, wagon, basketball hoop and ball, hot wheels, Blues Clues video, Fisher Price workbench, Hockey jersey I’ve got more ideas, but I’ll give you some time to consider these. ---
**Author:** ![andyman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8491ac/32.png) [@andyman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andyman)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2000, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-an-aunt-to-do/37564/6 "2000-10-19T19:05:45Z")
Does your local mall have a Discorery store? If so, check it out. There’s tons of stuff in there I would have loved as a kid. Shoot, there’s tons of stuff in there I’d love to have now! ---
**Author:** ![andyman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8491ac/32.png) [@andyman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andyman)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2000, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-an-aunt-to-do/37564/7 "2000-10-19T19:07:54Z")
For instance, they have this awesome internal spellchecker for ijits like me who can’t spell \*\*Discovery[\b]. \*I wish.[\i] ---
**Author:** ![obfusciatrist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/4af34b/32.png) [@obfusciatrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obfusciatrist)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2000, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-an-aunt-to-do/37564/8 "2000-10-19T19:08:48Z")
My suggestion would be to get nothing. He is three. Too young to notice if a particular person gets him nothing. He is a nephew. Too distant a relative to worry about. Otherwise get him a toy you know he already has, then Mom can return it and get something he wants. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2000, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-an-aunt-to-do/37564/9 "2000-10-19T19:11:57Z")
Wholeheartedly support the idea of giving books. Avoiding, of course, the Barney type books. Puzzles are another good idea. Good for developing spacial and fine motor skills. Also a good start to problem solving. Board games that involve known PBS TV characters like Arthur and friends. Gives kids an opportunity to spend quality time with parents as well as teaching them to take turns and how to win/lose like good sports. Blocks are still a good bet. The more advanced type of building blocks with irregular shapes and multiple colours. There are even building blocks similar to the Lego concept but bigger for easier handling by tiny hands. And every kid I ever knew loves having a cool flashlight. You can find some that are pretty big, colourful and tough in every toy store. What kid wouldn’t like a flashlight to shine at everyday object in his room when it’s night and the lights are out. It makes a great memory and object search game just before bed time from the comfort of their own bed. ---
**Author:** ![Profane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e47774/32.png) [@Profane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Profane)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2000, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-an-aunt-to-do/37564/10 "2000-10-19T19:16:03Z")
My daughter just turned three so I give you some of her (and my) favorites from this year. Candyland, Hungry Hippos etc. Puzzles of 10-25 pieces Hopper ball [Playhut](http://www.playhut.com/products/Item.asp?Item=53762-70608) makes awesome collapsable play houses Gift Certificate and a day out at the local B&N he gets to pick out his own books and Mom & Dad get a day to themselves Membership to local zoo, aquarium, or children’s museum ---
**Author:** ![Mandi\_s\_Mind\_101](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/51bf81/32.png) [@Mandi\_s\_Mind\_101](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mandi_s_Mind_101)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2000, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-an-aunt-to-do/37564/11 "2000-10-19T19:17:50Z")
He is just the perfect age for a WOODEN TRAIN SET!! Thomas the Tank engine or something. You can order them online at all the toy etailers, or some off brand one will be cheaper, they have them here at Target, but I dont know what kind of stores are around you. I sell Thomas here in my train store. I would be happy to set you up. The cool thing about the train set is that for a three year old they dont know that they are learning. Putting the track together - Like solving a puzzle. Different characters all with different names, colors and numbers. I cant tell you how many 3 yr olds come in my store, and their parents cant believe they have memorized all the names of the characters, how they act, and they color and numbers. It also does wonders for their social skills, it is a great thing to be played with other children. Any other questions you have about it email me! ---
**Author:** ![deb2world](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7cd45c/32.png) [@deb2world](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/deb2world)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2000, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-an-aunt-to-do/37564/12 "2000-10-19T19:25:02Z")
You must uphold the tradition of aunts everywhere and get clothes or books. I usually get the nephews encyclopedia type books. You know those with titles like “The Big Book of Animals”, or “How Things Work”. Actually books are something they will appreciate for years to come. If you want to be a favorite aunt and save yourself gobs of time, just do the money thing. That way it makes mom or dad take junior out to buy “his own present”. Junior will love you for the $$$. ---
**Author:** ![techchick68](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ea5d25/32.png) [@techchick68](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/techchick68)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2000, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-an-aunt-to-do/37564/13 "2000-10-19T20:45:38Z")
Lots of good suggestions. Hmmmmmmmm guess I should make a run to one of the local toy stores. ---
**Author:** ![tatertot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c37758/32.png) [@tatertot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tatertot)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2000, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-an-aunt-to-do/37564/14 "2000-10-19T20:48:58Z")
If you live close enough, you might consider taking him out for a day of fun. The zoo or someplace like discovery zone or a children’s musuem. Heh, it’s like a gift for the parent’s too, and after three years, they probably deserve one. Or if not, I’d go with the books or maybe a finger painting set, if his parents have ever pissed you off. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Odieman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a87d85/32.png) [@Odieman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odieman)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2000, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-an-aunt-to-do/37564/15 "2000-10-19T21:18:36Z")
Three suggestions Tech, 1) Toy cars, my nephew just loved it when he got them 2) I second the books idea. 3) Why don’t you give him a day with you, where the tw of you can just do stuff together. Keith ---
**Author:** ![Fillet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/2acd7d/32.png) [@Fillet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fillet)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2000, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-an-aunt-to-do/37564/16 "2000-10-19T22:33:28Z")
My three-year-old nephew loves books with lots of pictures, especially if they’re of animals (and ESPECIALLY dinosaurs). Little box of dinos or some such is good, too. If he has a backyard to hang out in, a little red wagon can be lots of fun. My nephew loves being wheeled around the yard, and likes to cart his other toys all over when he’s not riding in it himself. Another cool outdoor idea: bubble-making toys. Refills are easy, and he can’t make a mess. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![andyman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8491ac/32.png) [@andyman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andyman)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2000, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-an-aunt-to-do/37564/17 "2000-10-20T01:50:06Z")
A couple things I just thought of… Do they still make Lincoln Logs or Tinker Toys? If not, a good set of the big legos might be nice. I remember being a very young kid, really enjoying all three. I only had Legos, but some of my friends had Lincoln Logs and Tinker Toys. They’re classics. ---
**Author:** ![Brynda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e79b87/32.png) [@Brynda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brynda)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2000, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-an-aunt-to-do/37564/18 "2000-10-20T01:54:44Z")
I agree with the books recommendation. One he might like is Sandra Boynton’s But Not the Hippotamaus! All her books are great, but this is a particular favorite of a 3 yr old frind of mine. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Stranger\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/87869e/32.png) [@The\_Stranger\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Stranger_1)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2000, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-an-aunt-to-do/37564/19 "2000-10-20T02:06:00Z")
Spend some time with the kid. Best gift you can give a child… (especially if you want to be the FAVORITE Aunt, (even if you’re the ONLY Aunt)) Stranger ---
**Author:** ![imthjckaz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/imthjckaz/32/3223_2.png) [@imthjckaz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/imthjckaz)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2000, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-an-aunt-to-do/37564/20 "2000-10-20T02:18:40Z")
Spend some time with him. Take him to a movie or the zoo. But if you really want to be the most favorite aunt, then get him candy, and lots of it. Anything with sugar will suffice. Oh sure, you’ll drive the parents nuts but you will be in like flint with the boy. Good Luck and have a nice day. 🙂 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-an-aunt-to-do/37564.md?page=2)