Ideas for DS (3) who's not too into toyish - toys

[Pigasso]

Obviously he likes toys! But his main loves are torches, marbles, tubes, string/rope, tape measures, magnifying glasses, magnets, a lot of things which aren't strictly toys! I just wondered if anyone knew any toys that include any of these elements? He has several dearly loved torches, and a marble run that he loves to death, are there any other variations of this kind of thing?

I've found a toy tape measure, and was considering a cats cradle. He loves trying up barricades throughout the house, bits of string blocking the corridor, and has spent many happy hours putting things down postal tubes! Odd child!

I'm just a bit stumped this year how to build on any of these things.

[stargirl1701]

Try here:

www.myriadonline.co.uk/index.php

[MegBusset]

How about some Lego Duplo?