OK I have the twitch already...lego mindstorms

[atticusclaw2]

I thought I was done but the "how much do you spend" threads have given me the twitch (and its a big one - although my DPs would contribute half).

Does anyone have lego mindstorms? It says 10+ but would it be ok for a joint present for the DSs nearly 11 and nearly 9? Or is the reality that it's a bit too technical and better saved for when they're a bit older? They will both happily construct any of the lego sets that are marked 14+.

[atticusclaw2]

anyone have this?

[myotherusernameisbetter]

I bought it for my DS1 probably about the same age as your DSs are but it would be the older version as that was about 5 years ago. He was a total Lego addict and also into computers. However, he didn't really play with it that much despite having had a session with it at a science festival prior to that and loving it. I think though that he was just a bit lazy. It's mostly still in the box other than some of the parts which he harvested to build guns with.

I don't know if he was typical though. He got much more play value from the "Badass lego guns" book but that did require buying loads of individual pieces from a 2nd hand parts place and an elastic band ball. The crazy contraptions book also went down pretty well.

He is now studying Computing Science and attends a programming club but he still hasn't been enticed to get it out the wardrobe.

[atticusclaw2]

that's really helpful thank you. I might wait a year or two.

[myotherusernameisbetter]

Well I hope you get other views too, but it is expensive for a twitch item :o

I'd say it is more to do with programming than lego tbh the actual building of it isn't that complex.

If you think they might be interested in motors and stuff as well as building, it might be worth looking at some of the Fischertechnic sets - it's a different building style from lego but DS1 really enjoyed them.