Favorite Holiday Gifts for Boys 8-11

Buying holiday gifts for boys age 8-11 can be a tricky proposition. Too old for the trucks, blocks and science kits that intrigued them in past years, already up to their ears in sporting goods, boys 8-11 present a perplexing challenge for those seeking to find the right holiday gift. This selection of holiday gifts at different price ranges has wide appeal to boys in this age group.

Roller Coaster Building Set- There are several roller coaster building sets on the market that make intriguing gifts for boys age 8-11. In choosing a set, keep in mind design flexibility, sturdiness, and track length. Generally, the more track and connectors, the greater the options, the more fun for the boy who receives the gift. Some of the better known and higher quality roller coaster construction sets include CoasterDynamix Scorpion Roller Coaster Construction Kit, Tycoon Roller Coaster Construction Set, and K'Nex Shark Run or Screamin' Serpent Run Roller Coaster Building Set. The roller coaster building sets range in price from about $80-$170.

Roller Coaster Tycoon 3- Boys who loved blocks and puzzles when they were younger will enjoy receiving as a holiday gift this virtual building game on PC that allows them not only to construct their own roller coasters, but to design and operate their own amusement parks. Roller Coaster Tycoon 3 will let boys test the limits of building principles- if they violate the rules of physics, their roller coaster cars will crash. Roller Coaster Tycoon 3 operates on a Windows 98 or higher platform and is available in retail stores for $69.99. For those who like the idea of Roller Coaster Tycoon 3 but aren't fond of the price, Roller Coaster Tycoon 2 is still popular and can be found at bargain prices.