Seven year old boys have a formidable sense of adventure. Their innate curiosity about the world means they're sponges for information, and they ask questions about EVERYTHING: "Why is the sky blue?" "Are we there yet?" "Where do babies come from?" (We suggest preparing an answer to that last one in advance!) Fuel their curiosity with entertaining and educational gifts, like hands-on science experiments or books of fun facts.
By second grade, kids have gained more confidence in the classroom. They survived their scary first year of 'big kid school', and now they're experts on the ins and outs of schools: they know how to do homework, what to play at recess, and which water fountain tastes the best.
But what's the point of all that knowledge if they can't show it off? Seven year olds love being mentors to younger siblings or smaller kids on the playground, and take pride in passing along their newfound wisdom. Gifts like cooperative games and outdoor toys let them share their skills and feel very 'grown up'!
However, a seven year old still wants to please the important adults in his life, and doing things 'the right way' becomes very important to him. He may become self-critical, frustrated, or embarrassed if he loses a game or can't get something to look the way he imagined. Remember to praise him for things he does well, and encourage him to try new activities and develop his talents. Nothing builds self-confidence faster than assembling a cool robot kit, mastering a magic trick, or mixing the perfect DIY slime!
