Christmas Gifts for Boys - NO Video Games are on This Toy List!

Christmas gift wish lists for 8-10 year old boys tend to have a lot of video games and video game systems, and other components to go along with those video games. For those of you who are looking to give your boy something other than that, here is a list of toys that will hopefully help you find a gift for them that they will love!

The number one thing that boys (ages 8 & up) are asking for is an iTouch, or the newest Apple gadget - the iPad. They are really much more than a video game, and you will be their hero if you buy one for them. The newest iPod Nano has some really cool features as well. For instance it has a fitness tracker, can be worn as a watch, and looks pretty cool too. If this these ideas are still to techie, take a look at the gifts listed below.

This list focuses on having fun while playing outside, learning about new things, and the must have toys of the season.

Do you want to encourage your boy to play outside - even in the cooler months? Get him some of these toys for Christmas and you'll be surprised how much he is outside from January through Spring.

You might remember the days of your childhood when you first look at this toy - the Razor Rip Rider - but it goes far beyond the Big Wheel you might be thinking of. This bad boy was named to the 2009 Toy of the Year list from Parents and Parenting magazines. Amazon reviewers will tell you how much their boys love this toy.

Does your boy love basketball? Have you bought him other indoor nets that just won't stand up to the abuse? The SKLZ Pro Mini Basketball Hoop will. You can mount it to his wall in his bedroom, or maybe in the basement rec room? You can also install it over a door.

It also comes with a 5-inch-diameter mini basketball.

The dual speed sticks on this toy make the Huffy Green Machine unique in the ride-on toy crowd. A little bit more advanced than the Razor Rip-Rider, but it is an awesome ride for the more daring boys.

"The low-profile design picks up speed with its high-traction 20-inch rubber front tire. When you hit the corners, maneuver the dual joysticks to steer the back wheels--with their ultra-wide slick tires-- for sick spin-outs." - Amazon.com

It's a classic toy for a reason - kids love it. Most kids who have never been on a Pogo stick before never really ask for this for Christmas because they don't know how much fun it is! The great thing about this one is that was designed for kids in this age range (max 80 lbs), so the foot rests are bigger which makes it easier to get the hang of.

The Powell Golden Dragon Flying Dragon Complete Skateboard is a great alternative to the sub-par boards found at Walmart. Great for the beginners and even more advanced kids. Half the cost of the expensive boards found at the skate shops - your boy won't be disappointed when he opens this gift.

Has your boy begged you for a motocross bike? Can't stomach the price tag? He will love this - the Razor MX350 Dirt Rocket Electric Motocross Bike.

"Essentially a scaled-down motocross bike with an electric motor, the Razor MX350 Dirt Rocket is ideal for pre-teens and teens (ages 12 and up) who want to enjoy the dirt bike experience without breaking the bank. The Dirt Rocket's powerful motor carries riders at speeds of up to 14 miles per hour--more than enough for most bumpy dirt trails--and can cruise for up to 10 miles (or 40 minutes) on a single charge..." - Amazon.com

Bring him back to reality with board games. These games encourage real world social interaction and problem solving skills that video games don't.

Kids who love Harry Potter will love this game - kids who love original Clue will also love this game. You may think that it is just the Clue game with Harry Potter characters on the cards and such, but the actual game is different. There is another level of play added because there are extra components. In Clue Harry Potter, ther is a dial under the game boar that opens and closes secret passages in Hogwarts, and a system based on earning - and losing - points.

Hedbanz is a game that doesn't require a lot of time to play - a plus for parents who just don't' have the time to sit down and play a 2 hour Monopoly game. The concept is simple, and the quirky headband idea makes it funny. Kids see this game played on iCarly so they are usually familiar with the way it is played. Here is how you play:

"Playing Hedbanz is simple. After dealing one card and three chips to each player, take your card and place it in your adjustable headband without peeking. When your turn arrives, ask each player a question about who, or what, you are ("Am I a food?"). If you get stuck, the sample questions card offers tips on the types of questions you might ask." - Amazon.com

If you are looking for a Christmas Gift that will see a lot of playing time, but doesn't cost a fortune - this is the one you are looking for. The LEGO Hogwarts Game is priced in the $30 range. Here is the thing - most Harry Potter LEGO sets are going to cost you more than that.

You actually build the game board with LEGOs so you can create a new game each and every time you play - you can make it easier or harder depending on who is playing. That encourages strategic thinking.

The Loopz game is a similar concept to a Simon Says - but made for this generation of kids with many more options for game play. They can create their own beats, play with multiple players and even use it for DJ like games.

The Cuponk game fits on this list as a game, but it is also a game that encourages them to get up and move around. They can play it solo or with friends. It is perfect for the kids who like sports and performing 'tricks'. You try to make the trick shots shown on the game cards with a ping-pong like ball and a cup. Check out the video to see how it is played.

This is a sometimes hard to find gift - an Educational Toy - but it is definitely worth it when you see a kid light up when figuring out something new, or developing a passion for a new subject.

This is for the LEGO enthusiast who is ready to take their skills to the next level. The LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0 kit includes a microcomputer brick and intuitive programming software. The building kit enables you to construct robots that see, speak, feel, and move! Designed for ages 10 and up, the 2.0 robotics tool set features everything you need to create and program your first robot in approximately one hour. From there you can use your imagination to create an assortment of robots.

For that inquisitive child who loves to figure out how things work - the Celestron Handheld Digital Microscope will occupy him for hours on end. A great introduction to the scientific world of microscopic things!

A great gift to give that boy who always wants to know how things work!

"Adults and kids will learn amazing new things about basic and acidic solutions with the Mind Blowing Science Kit. Whether erupting a color-changing volcano, creating a sunset in a test tube, or growing colorful, jiggly crystals, this science kit mixes learning with experimentation in a fun and colorful way for a wide range of ages." - Amazon.com

Snap Circuits is the kind of toy that parents love to buy for their kids, and kids love to play with it. Parents love it because it teaches them so much about something that is usually difficult to learn - the basics of Electrical Engineering! Who would have thought that there could be a toy to teach kids about this?! The Snap Circuits 300 set is the best one to get them started. You can build 300 different projects with it!

For that boy who loves to be the center of attention - this Magic kit gives him everything he needs to learn it, do it, and perform it for all of the family and friends. Not only the props, but the DVD instructions as well.

You know those toys that everyone else has & if your kid doesn't get he is disappointed? These are toys that are popular right now!

Does he love the video games like Guitar Hero & Rock Band? Maybe wants to learn how to play the guitar? The newest instrument on the market is the Paper Jamz guitar and drum sets by Wow Wee.

Possibly one of the most popular toys this season - they are paper (more like cardboard) with circuit-embedding technology that allows them to play like a pro just by touching the Paper Jamz guitar s fret and strumming the strings image.

Tech Decks are one of those things that the kids just love to play with and collect, but don't really provide any other value! Kinda like Matchbox cars. In fact, these are the Matchbox and Hot Wheels cars for this generation.

Little skateboards for the fingers. There are a variety of skateparks and ramps that you can get as well.

You might think that if he already has one Nerf gun, he won't want another one, but that just isn't true in most cases. They love a good Nerf gun & it is best to have more than one gun anyway if he as friends who come over and want to play Nerf war.

The Nerf Stampede gun is the newest in the Nerf gun arsenal. This one is popular because it uses a clip, has a bipod, and it comes with a set of 60 darts.