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[detectivedot]

September At Detective Dots

Quite a bit actually. From our CEO being named as one of Computer Weekly's Most Influential Women in Tech 2017 🎉🎉 to a trip to Paris with EDF to recruit some frenchies to the CIA, we’ve barely had time to complete our missions. Thankfully our CIA operatives are on the job

Latest mission statement from Agent *** (whose identity remains confidential)

Amidst all of this, we’ve added a new face to the team, mainly to ensure that we don’t think LOL means lots of love. In her first week, Savena has been sorting out a bunch of CIA missions and finding a new home for our real CEO (Cuddle Enforcement Officer). And writing newsletters in the third person.

                  We’re sad to see our comms wizard Arfah leave to complete her Winston Churchill Fellowship, exploring Muslim women in technology. Travelling across America, Pakistan and the UAE, Arfah is meeting movers, shakers and ice-cream-makers (maybe). If you miss Arfah too, you can find her on Facebook, Twitter and Youtubeand can find a cute gif of a Llama here.

Celebrations

A special Eid Mubarak and Shana Tova to everyone. And Good luck to all school starters, whether you’re entering KS1 or teaching year 9s, we wish you a year of reduced homework. Let the uniform-fitting, stationary-hoarding and packed-lunch-trading commence!

Stuff we like on the internet

Still baffled by the magic of contactless payments? Then prepare yourself for TechTats.

Algobrix - a kickstarter looking to fund a little robot which teaches kids how to code. Sweet

Climeworks - Taking the hot air out of Climate Change as they make products out of C02

WARNING: Reading Detective Dot will make you funnier

And before you go don’t forget to use AUTUMNSALE at the checkout to get 15% off a Detective Dot order today! Or tomorrow! Or the day after that!

Peace, code and love Sophie + Co

[freddiesmummyuk]

Christmas Gifts for 9 Year Old Boys

I know it is a little early to be thinking about Christmas, however, as Freddie turns nine just after I always need to be prepared in advance. This year I have struggled so much more than normal. I think in previous years Freddie has enjoyed playing more with games and mini figures but as he is now turning 9 years old, I have found it much harder.

I have broken the Christmas gifts for 9 year old boys into sections, based on Fortnite, Educational gifts, Christmas gifts for the boy that loves sport, electronic gifts and other ideas.

  Fortnite – Christmas Gifts 

I know Fortnite is a 12 rating, however, I think every 9 year old even if they don’t play it certainly know a lot of the dances! I love these Fortnite gifts and they are already on Freddie’s wish list.

Educational Christmas Gifts for 9 year old boys

We always buy something educational as a Christmas and birthday present, but now Freddie is homeschooled it is even more important that we continue this.

Chem C1000 – This beginner chemistry set contains 30 pieces and contains enough information to perform 125 simple, exciting and instructive experiments in your own home. Along with this comes an 80 page experiment manual.

Botley Coding Robot – This is aimed at slightly younger children however, we absolutely love it. We have reviewed a number of coding products, but the reason we have included this, is you actually see the robot move. Freddie loved it, and as he is coming up to 9 in December I thought we would add it. But this is suitable for children 5 and above.

Piano – This is a great electronic keyboard, and we will be using Youtube tutorials in our school day to learn how to play.

CIA game – Freddie absolutely loved this. He was amazed when he opened it up and it was actually addressed to him. Included is a book, a membership card, a personalised letter, 6 fun missions and a sticker sheet. The missions are loads of fun, the first one was to create your own secret code. So he wrote the alphabet at the top of the paper, and then drew his own new alphabet. It was great fun, and I could have melted when I decoded it as he had written I LOVE YOU.

Reading Books – We have reading books in every room in our house and Freddie loves reading. Check out over 100 books for boys aged 9 – 12.

Board Games | Christmas Gifts for 9 year old boys

We absolutely love board games, and often can be found on a weekend at the kitchen table playing.

Monopoly – We already have monopoly junior and an old version of the credit card monopoly. Freddie loves playing it, but as this Fortnite version is coming out this is a must!

Harry Potter Cluedo – We love playing cluedo and like monopoly we already have 2 versions. But as we play a lot of board games as a family this Harry Potter edition looks perfect.

King of Tokyo – This is a great game, and we really enjoyed playing it. You take it in turns to role the dice and the first to get to 20 points wins the game. Its a fairly quick game to play, but it is lots of fun, and there is nothing else like this on the market.

Scotland Yard Game – we have not played this, however, Freddie has added it to his wish list already after seeing it in a catalogue. The reviews we have seen on this appear to be good as well, which is why I have added it.

Sporting Christmas gifts for 9 year old boys

Skipping Rope – Freddie has been asking for a skipping rope a lot recently as he has been told that boxers use them for fitness! So this digital skipping rope is just perfect.

Fitbit Ace – We both have a fitbit, and a number of his friends have a similar product. So Freddie is desperate for his own fitbit, mainly so he can beat his dad and I. We are a very competitive household so I am hoping it will also encourage me to do more!!

Skateboard – We just love this skateboard, it is “sic” according to Freddie!! We have a skateboard park within our park in the next village so this is going to be used a lot. It is of excellent quality and we both highly recommend it.

Nerf Guns – I am going to start by saying, I absolutely HATE guns! Especially these, as every where I seem to look I can find Nerf bullets! However, Freddie absolutely loves them! One of his friends had a nerf gun party in their garden and ever since he has been asking for more guns!!!

Dart Board – This of course isn’t a traditional dart board, I have not gone completely mad. But as it will be great to help with maths, without thinking he is actually learning, is always a plus in my book!

Electronic Christmas gifts for 9 year old boys

Mouse Mat – I love the look of this mouse mat, it is colourful and just perfect for when he is working on his PC.

Teen Titans Go Movie – Freddie watched this at the cinema with his dad when it was out (I hate the cinema, so I didn’t go!) and he loved it. So has asked for it for Christmas as he is desperate for me to watch it as well!

Hello Neighbour – One of his friends has this game, and apparently it is ace! It has only recently come out on the Nintendo switch so it has been added to his Christmas and Birthday wish list.

Wireless Headset as he is now turning 9, I have refused up until now, I am finally allowing him to get a wireless headset and speaker for his Switch. Of course he is still only allowed to communicate with his friends, but as all of his friends have one, I am just giving in!

Alexa Dot – We already have one of these, and they are just great. We have Sonos speakers throughout the house and they can be controlled with the Alexa Dot. We are going to get this and put it in Freddie’s game room.

Other Christmas gifts for 9 year old boys

Lego Ninjago – As ever, Lego is always on the Christmas wish list, and this year is no different.

Socks – This is the second year these have been on the list. They are really bright and colourful, and Freddie just loved them.

Chocolate Pizza – We just love chocolate and pizza in this house, so this is a perfect little present. Whats even better than the novelty factor, is this tastes absolutely delicious!!

Theatre Tickets – We are massive fans of the theatre and most years we get a family ticket to the west end.

  What Christmas gifts for 9 year old boys have I missed from this gift list? Let me know in the comments below.

  **Disclosure – some of these items were gifted in return for inclusion in this post. This post may contain affiliate links. Which means we may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. **

30 Of The Best Christmas Gifts For 9 Year Old Boys #xmas #xmaslist #giftguide #xmasgift #pblogger #uk @skatescouk @findmeagift @LRUK @detectivedot @unitedoddsocks Christmas Gifts for 9 Year Old Boys I know it is a little early to be thinking about Christmas, however, as Freddie turns nine just after I always need to be prepared in advance.