Son's 10th birthday present
Discussion
Looking for some ideas and we're getting stuck!
He's really not the sporty type, although has recently shown some interest in playing football. Loves the usual Minecraft, xBox, youtube mixture.
Has previously loved Lego (mainly castles, vampire sets). The step up to Meccano defeated him (has Dyspraxia which doesn't help).
Little interest in cars ;(
Has recently discovered a love of Asterix and Tintin books thanks to me getting them out of the loft.
Really trying to think of something non-electronic that will grab his attention.
Any ideas? Anything small that can come on holiday with us (flying) would be a big benefit!
He's really not the sporty type, although has recently shown some interest in playing football. Loves the usual Minecraft, xBox, youtube mixture.
Has previously loved Lego (mainly castles, vampire sets). The step up to Meccano defeated him (has Dyspraxia which doesn't help).
Little interest in cars ;(
Has recently discovered a love of Asterix and Tintin books thanks to me getting them out of the loft.
Really trying to think of something non-electronic that will grab his attention.
Any ideas? Anything small that can come on holiday with us (flying) would be a big benefit!
10... a difficult age from what I can remember of it all those years ago, given the change in everything, starting to become the oldest in school and yet still young.
For my 10th birthday back in 1995, I seem to recall being given a tent, some roller blades, some Action Man stuff. I loved it all but I wasn't the best at roller blades.
That kind of thing hold any appeal? I think I was about 8 when I got my first penknife from my grandad, much to my mum's dismay (though Dad thought it was fine, and I never cut myself badly) but the kind of cool outdoor "boys adventure" might be the right age - although you're going on holiday I presume there might still be some of the summer left for him to enjoy before going back to school as well?
For my 10th birthday back in 1995, I seem to recall being given a tent, some roller blades, some Action Man stuff. I loved it all but I wasn't the best at roller blades.
That kind of thing hold any appeal? I think I was about 8 when I got my first penknife from my grandad, much to my mum's dismay (though Dad thought it was fine, and I never cut myself badly) but the kind of cool outdoor "boys adventure" might be the right age - although you're going on holiday I presume there might still be some of the summer left for him to enjoy before going back to school as well?
Thanks all. He's got a bike and helmet. Grew out of scooters a while ago.
We have a pop up tent which gets used in the garden.
Pen-knife - interesting. He's certainly hankering after one. Will discuss with the wife!
ETA - rollerskates/blades are tricky due to dyspraxia. He hates ice skating for example.
We have a pop up tent which gets used in the garden.
Pen-knife - interesting. He's certainly hankering after one. Will discuss with the wife!
ETA - rollerskates/blades are tricky due to dyspraxia. He hates ice skating for example.
The raspberry pi is a good shout. it comes with a version of minecraft that you can manipulate with python, and also integrate into the GPIO pins.
great.
But as something to take on holiday ? ... not so much
Why not get him a BBC Micro:Bit www.microbit.co.uk
program it with a web interface ( its a progressive web app so also availible offline )
And you can pair it to his tablet / phone and program it over bluetooth.
or better yet... get both!
My eldest are both 10 and we've recently completed a pelican crossing using the raspberry pi, and have created a network of 4 microbits that send messages to each other.
cant wait for the next project
great.
But as something to take on holiday ? ... not so much
Why not get him a BBC Micro:Bit www.microbit.co.uk
program it with a web interface ( its a progressive web app so also availible offline )
And you can pair it to his tablet / phone and program it over bluetooth.
or better yet... get both!
My eldest are both 10 and we've recently completed a pelican crossing using the raspberry pi, and have created a network of 4 microbits that send messages to each other.
cant wait for the next project
Edited by SystemParanoia on Tuesday 2nd August 12:05
What are your hobbies (other than cars) that you can start to get into him with perhaps, and get him some of that? golf clubs, fishing tackle, bikes, rugby boots, hiking, camping, walking, something on a boat.
Or maybe find out if he's old enough to enjoy the same as the rest of PH and take him to a kids night at the local Casino/strip club/cigar and brandy club?
Or maybe find out if he's old enough to enjoy the same as the rest of PH and take him to a kids night at the local Casino/strip club/cigar and brandy club?
Humpy D said:
What about a stunt kite or similar?
Light enough to go into a suitcase and should give him (and you) hours of fun.
Remember to fly it away from others though; people won't take kindly to a stunt kite landing on their noggin!!
I suggested to the wife and she poo-pooed Light enough to go into a suitcase and should give him (and you) hours of fun.
Remember to fly it away from others though; people won't take kindly to a stunt kite landing on their noggin!!
We are going to a private villa with land in France, so plenty of opportunity for flying. Will revisit this argument!
I bought my nephew a camera for his 10th birthday...
Half decent point and shoot with enough features to provide the "play" aspect, enough to pick up the basic principles but not so much to be frustraited by it. Added a memory card case and a full charge he was all set for his holiday in Rome.
When he got home he was dead chuffed showing everyone his pictures of his holiday. He even used the movie function to sit and put together a video trailer of his first trip abroad.
Half decent point and shoot with enough features to provide the "play" aspect, enough to pick up the basic principles but not so much to be frustraited by it. Added a memory card case and a full charge he was all set for his holiday in Rome.
When he got home he was dead chuffed showing everyone his pictures of his holiday. He even used the movie function to sit and put together a video trailer of his first trip abroad.
Edited by BristolRich on Tuesday 2nd August 13:20
battered said:
Any mileage in getting him into the Scouts? Lots of interesting activities in the ones that are well run. Others, less so. Does depend upon the type of activities he likes, they are mostly outdoorsy.
He's already passed from Beavers to Cubs and after summer moves up to Scouts.
Actually, cementing my mind on the pen knife...
BristolRich said:
I bought my nephew a camera for his 10th birthday...
Half decent point and shoot with enough features to provide the "play" aspect, enough to pick up the basic principles but not so much to be frustraited by it. Added a memory card case and a full charge he was all set for his holiday in Rome.
When he got home he was dead chuffed showing everyone his pictures of his holiday. He even used the movie function to sit and put together a video trailer of his first trip abroad.
Photography is a mild hobby of mine, and the boy does have a waterproof point and shoot. Will come in handy in our pool villa and for canoeing down the river (Dordogne...)Half decent point and shoot with enough features to provide the "play" aspect, enough to pick up the basic principles but not so much to be frustraited by it. Added a memory card case and a full charge he was all set for his holiday in Rome.
When he got home he was dead chuffed showing everyone his pictures of his holiday. He even used the movie function to sit and put together a video trailer of his first trip abroad.
Puggit said:
Humpy D said:
What about a stunt kite or similar?
Light enough to go into a suitcase and should give him (and you) hours of fun.
Remember to fly it away from others though; people won't take kindly to a stunt kite landing on their noggin!!
I suggested to the wife and she poo-pooed Light enough to go into a suitcase and should give him (and you) hours of fun.
Remember to fly it away from others though; people won't take kindly to a stunt kite landing on their noggin!!
We are going to a private villa with land in France, so plenty of opportunity for flying. Will revisit this argument!
You never know, if he gets into it, it could lead to stuff like kite surfing......
Puggit said:
Actually, cementing my mind on the pen knife...
Probably better if he doesn't take that on the plane 
Camera is a good shout, our lad is now 12.5 & the last couple of years when we've camped he has grabbed a camera & done some video diaries. We were watching some the other night & it was great to watch them - roll on this years diary coming soon
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