Gi Joe Combat Heroes as Gifts to 4-5 Yr Old Boys

G.I. Joe...The all American Hero!!

I think they will be a great gift.

A note/call/chat with the Mom's/Dad's as you hand them out should suffice...if you are really that worried about it...

It depends on how well you know that the parents of your son's classmates don't have objections to war toys.
I know many families where any kind of war toys or guns (or any other weapons) are not welcome... mine included.
If you are planning to give them in school you might want to check with the teacher/principal regarding policies before. There was a story not too long ago of a little boy being suspended for bringing an action figure with a 2" toy gun to school.
Your gesture is very generous, but I would suggest picking something that has less potential for being a point of debate.
Good luck!

If my son in preschool got one of the these I would get rid of it when he wasn't looking. Guns and war are a sad reality, and not an area in which we should be encouraging role-play.

That said, I would make an exception for a child whose parent was in the military abroad and the child needed it to work through feelings of the parent being gone and imagine what the parent might be doing.

Hello, one way or another children, especially boys will for the most part like action figures wheather in Pre K, 1st grade, or older. I wouldn't worry about it. My son started playing with action figures at 3 because of his cousins. I think it's a fine gift. Is your son using his legos or any other building material to construct a weapon of any sort ? I think it's unavoidable that children will be exposed to guns, rays swords or any kind of that sort. You can't please everyone either. Some parents might wow it, others might begrudge it. So just be cool and give them out. Have a Merry...

Hi J.,

I think your best bet would be to give these wrapped gifts to the parents with a nice note letting them know what the present is in advance, and let them decide if they would like to give it to their child or pass it along. It is kind of you to want to give them a gift, and perhaps this was something your son picked out for them? Or perhaps something your son really enjoys playing with?

I know for our family that we have a no-guns/violent play rule for play at our home. It would be very difficult if someone gave our son a toy of this nature without consulting us first, and we would likely buy a toy for him to trade for the action figure, but it would still put us in the position of having to take away a present, which isn't fun for anyone. I believe the parents of the other students would appreciate a 'heads-up' and let them take it from there.

Or you could always buy stickers for them, too, and donate the toys to a gift collection for kids whose families can't afford Christmas, too. I just want to say that I think it's very thoughtful that you are considering the preferences of the other families too. :)

I would not give them. As a mom of a preschool boy, I'd personally rather he didn't get something like this.

It totally depends on the parents; the kids will love them.

I wouldn't give them, I made the mistake of letting my son play with the Supper Soakers when he had a friend over, when the little boy got picked up his mother was furious with me allowing her son to play with guns and the next day my son came out of school telling me he can't have any of the other kids over because of the Supper Soakers. Not for anything the kids were playing in the pool and with them both in and out of it; it was only tag and a game my boys play called "Freeze" - when you get hit you are frozen for 3 minutes and I do the timing usually. Anyway after what happened with me I don't give out anything involving guns, army, etc., boy did I learn my lesson. By the way my kids used to love playing Gi Joe, army, and any little figures they could use in the dirt or on the floor, it encourages great creativity so save those Gi Joe's for your son.

I wouldn't give anything out in school that has guns or weapons, that's likely never okay. Even if you're giving them privately, I would never give a gift that involves guns/weapons without asking. We don't do those toys ourselves, and I have had to give away toys that my son got when he was younger which involved guns.

I would not give them. You don't know if the parents are anti-gun, anti-war, etc. My brother is in the military, just got back from afghanistan, but I still am uncomfortable when my son plays "shoot-em-up" and I'm hoping he doesn't get interested in these action figures anytime soon.

I wouldn't give them. Guns and weapons are definitely controversial, and even if you and your husband are okay with them, there will be some parents that think differently.

Check with the parents of the kids, different families have different rules about toys with guns. Also, check with the school if he plans to hand them out there, I know at my sons school they can not even pretend a stick is a gun, let alone have toys guns of any size.

Lol they are SO cute!! I wouldn't care just because I mean seriously look at the stuff on bilboards... it's worse. But maybe you can ask the teacher if she knows of any parents who are sensitive about war or whatever.. or like hazel said put a note on the gift. You should see if you can put a picture of it and give it straight to the parent so the child doesn't see it but they do, these aren't traditional looking gi joes even for the movie they are silly and cute in my opinion. I doubt pre-k kids will be violent because they have this toy

Hi J.,
I think it's fine if you check with the parents. You wouldn't want to give the gift and then have the parents take it back after the child has opened it, seen it, and was likely excited about it. How thoughtful of you to include your sons class in gift giving at holiday time. :o) Hope you have a wonderful holiday.

I would say no. Do I let me kids play with play swords and play guns? Yes! But I don't know if others do. When I had my first child I was so against letting him play with any guns or anything of that sort. Come baby number 3, I am like whatever! It is all in fun and won't make them a criminal. However, there may be a Mom like I was and she could totally freak out about it. I think it's your call, but I probably wouldn't do it.