EmilyJ Posted November 24, 2012 Share Posted November 24, 2012 He's 9 going on 39. We own Snap Circuits (he loved it, but now thinks it's better suited for little sister). He's working on the Electronics Learning Lab with his grandfather. We need a $50-$60 gift idea that is like Snap Circuits or Electronic Learning Lab....maybe even something Lego? He's very into cameras, automobile electronics, lights, etc. Ideas, please?!!??!! Thanks in advance!nto Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tammyw Posted November 24, 2012 Share Posted November 24, 2012 Bumping for you. This is my son, only he's 6.5 going on 30 :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joshin Posted November 24, 2012 Share Posted November 24, 2012 My 7.5 year old is the same way. He graduated to "real" wiring this summer with components from Radio Shack, making motorized cars, lights and such. We are getting him the Discover Electronics Kit from Sparkle Labs. It seems a good intro to actual components for his ability level and it was recommended to usby a friend. The MakerShed website has all sorts of kits he has adored using, mainly because they look cool and use real components. On his list, he also has the new Light Up Snap Circuits, the Thames and Kosmos kits (Wind Power and a physics one), a couple of those robot kits, a new erector set, and a learn to solder circuits kit. He isn't getting all these things, but it's his wishlist! Most of them are around $50 online. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmilyJ Posted November 24, 2012 Author Share Posted November 24, 2012 Thanks so much Joshin! I will check those out! Any more ideas, anyone? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FairProspects Posted November 24, 2012 Share Posted November 24, 2012 I agree with a learn to solder kit, or some of the Maker Shed projects (I think ds would LOVE the LED dice). If you go Lego you could consider either a Technic set or some or the Technic parts & pieces. Those have really cool motors, lights, and remote controls with receivers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmilyJ Posted November 24, 2012 Author Share Posted November 24, 2012 thanks! bump (last time!) for more ideas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Mungo Posted November 24, 2012 Share Posted November 24, 2012 Make Magazine has tons of great kits on their site. Oops, just saw that somebody else already made that suggestion! But, I second it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mama Geek Posted November 24, 2012 Share Posted November 24, 2012 Get him involved in a ham radio club. Yes there are kids that young involved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodhaven Posted November 24, 2012 Share Posted November 24, 2012 OP, I'm listening in to the suggestions you receive. The soldering kit sounds like something I'm going to research. Does your son like to build robot kits? My son does loves them, but needs to know how to solder in order to do the more interesting ones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theYoungerMrsWarde Posted November 25, 2012 Share Posted November 25, 2012 We just gave ds6 a bunch of measured lengths of pvc pipe and the fittings to go with it to build contraptions, structures, forts, whatever he wants. He LOVES it. I blogged about it for more info. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhudson Posted November 25, 2012 Share Posted November 25, 2012 Depending on your budget, Lego NXT is fantastic. Keva planks have been great for my engineer types, especially the contraptions. Makedo have been really fun especially as we like to recycle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reeciecup Posted November 25, 2012 Share Posted November 25, 2012 Maybe an erector set? They can be pretty elaborate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kathy in Richmond Posted November 25, 2012 Share Posted November 25, 2012 Lego Dacta Technic sets were a huge hit when my son was 9 years old. This is the set we had (only available on the used market now, but a quick google search showed lots of them for sale). Dacta is the educational side of Lego, and the kits are more learning oriented than traditional Legos or Technic. This particular kit came with a set of task cards concerning the physics of simple machines, but it was also good for open-ended learning projects. My young engineer-to-be enjoyed lots of fun hours with Dacta! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmilyJ Posted November 25, 2012 Author Share Posted November 25, 2012 Thanks for all of the ideas! Does anyone know of an online community for these kiddos?? Wouldn't it be great for them to connect with like-minded kids and bounce ideas off of one another and talk about their latest projects, etc? Thanks, again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitestavern Posted November 25, 2012 Share Posted November 25, 2012 This sounds like my ds. He has almost all of the building/engineering type sets out there, but this year my parents are getting him the Thames & Kosmos Remote Control Machines set. Maybe that would work for your son? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted November 25, 2012 Share Posted November 25, 2012 What about a Raspberry Pi? http://www.raspberrypi.org/faqs It's a $35 computer that you need to figure out yourself: how to connect it to peripherals, install an operating system, and learn to program. It isn't a toy and would require patience and perseverance to get up and running, but is doable for children with that mindset. Their newsletter shows more of what this tiny computer can do: http://www.themagpi.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alessandra Posted November 25, 2012 Share Posted November 25, 2012 Knex Education has kits -- Bridges was my ds's favorite. I think they are good for a 9 year old. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wapiti Posted November 25, 2012 Share Posted November 25, 2012 Lego Dacta Technic sets were a huge hit when my son was 9 years old. This is the set we had (only available on the used market now, but a quick google search showed lots of them for sale). Dacta is the educational side of Lego, and the kits are more learning oriented than traditional Legos or Technic. This particular kit came with a set of task cards concerning the physics of simple machines, but it was also good for open-ended learning projects. My young engineer-to-be enjoyed lots of fun hours with Dacta! Thank you for posting this! This started me on a rabbit trail. FWIW, for you lurkers, there is a lot out there on Lego construction. I found this PDF interesting for beginners: http://www.botball.o...8/artoflego.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FairProspects Posted November 25, 2012 Share Posted November 25, 2012 Lego Dacta Technic sets were a huge hit when my son was 9 years old. This is the set we had (only available on the used market now, but a quick google search showed lots of them for sale). Dacta is the educational side of Lego, and the kits are more learning oriented than traditional Legos or Technic. This particular kit came with a set of task cards concerning the physics of simple machines, but it was also good for open-ended learning projects. My young engineer-to-be enjoyed lots of fun hours with Dacta! I think Lego Education still has an updated version of Dacta sold as this. Is that Simple and Motorized Machines set basically the same? Ds got it for Christmas last year and loves it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kathy in Richmond Posted November 26, 2012 Share Posted November 26, 2012 Thank you for posting this! This started me on a rabbit trail. FWIW, for you lurkers, there is a lot out there on Lego construction. I found this PDF interesting for beginners: http://www.botball.o...8/artoflego.pdf Thanks for the link, wapiti. Very interesting stuff; I bookmarked it for future use. I think Lego Education still has an updated version of Dacta sold as this. Is that Simple and Motorized Machines set basically the same? Ds got it for Christmas last year and loves it! Cool, FairProspects. As far as I can tell, it looks like a comparable set to what we bought for our son. I'm glad to see that Lego is still making these! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wapiti Posted November 28, 2012 Share Posted November 28, 2012 Lego Dacta Technic sets were a huge hit when my son was 9 years old. This is the set we had (only available on the used market now, but a quick google search showed lots of them for sale). Dacta is the educational side of Lego, and the kits are more learning oriented than traditional Legos or Technic. This particular kit came with a set of task cards concerning the physics of simple machines, but it was also good for open-ended learning projects. My young engineer-to-be enjoyed lots of fun hours with Dacta! If anyone's still shopping, there's an ebay seller with this set new-in-box at a better price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macmacmoo Posted November 28, 2012 Share Posted November 28, 2012 What about: http://shop.littlebits.com/ ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KungFuPanda Posted November 28, 2012 Share Posted November 28, 2012 Maybe an erector set? They can be pretty elaborate. I agree. This would certainly keep him busy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JFSinIL Posted November 28, 2012 Share Posted November 28, 2012 Erector set. My kid brother had one back in the 1960s....he barely used it, but my sister and I , who would have LOVED to get our hands on it, were not allowed to touch it. :-( I would have gotten my kids a set - but the big, good sets were just too expensive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FairProspects Posted November 28, 2012 Share Posted November 28, 2012 This erector set has been down as low as $40 on various Amazon deals, so you could keep an eye on it. My guess is it will go back down before Christmas. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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