I have two sons, and if I've learned anything about little boys and their toys it's this: Playmobil is the Best Thing Ever. Boys can be tough to buy for, particularly boys you don't see all the time, but I promise your nephew (and your niece, too!) will LOVE anything from Playmobil.

Playmobil toys are perfect because they encourage imagination; my sons can spend hours making up stories about their pirates and knights and the adventures they go on. You can go all out and give the elaborate Knight's Castle, or start with something small, like the princess and her unicorn (a big favorite at my house--yes, with the boys!).

Recommended for kids old enough not to put the pieces in their mouths.

Ah, Playmobil.....sweet memories of youth....

Sorry. Playmobil sets are made from very high quality plastic (lead free!) that won't break, barring power-tool usage. They come in lots of simple yet imaginative and fun sets, like ships, cars, dentists offices (true!) pirate ships, and the famous knights with their castle!

They are easy and fun to put together and a blast to play with. Really encourages imaginative play - there is so much you can do with all the unique pieces each set has, unlike Lego.

I seem to remember having an operating room set. Many unfortunate insects suffered "accidents" that required immediate treatment in my conveniently close OR.

Yep, playmobil is pretty much the best thing ever. High quality toys that don't break, sets that require a bit of assembly which is fun but not too much to cause frustration, and all the kits are neat and fit together perfectly.