Birthday present for an 8 year old who doesn’t like toys?

[Inim]

He’s never liked toys, even when he was little. I’ve tried, he likes masking tape and string. But that isn’t a good birthday present obviously!
Considering an iPad but he isn’t massively interested in the idea it’s just a panic last ditch idea and I don’t want to get him something so expensive that he’s not too bothered about! (Though he would definitely use it, he has a switch and uses his brothers tablet atm)
He’s very creative and likes making things but won’t entertain anything aimed at kids, he is quite delayed academically so older
Model making stuff isn’t really appropriate for him to do. He’s ASD and adhd
He asked for a tomato plant but isn’t it the wrong time of year now?
Not particularly interested in Lego etc
If anyone has any ideas at all because I am at a complete loss and only a few days to think of something

Get him a well established tomato plant in a decent sized pot - or even better, get two. Alongside, make sure you provide some bamboo stakes and some string for him to tie them up as they grow. It is a little late in the season, but I imagine garden centres will be selling bigger more established ones which will actually be good - less likely to kill it and a quicker time until it will have tomatoes on it.

I'm guessing he likes building things - in which case, alongside duct tape and string, get other cheap and cheerful things that help. Bamboo stakes as with his tomato plant, but a quick look around at the garden centre/ homebase would probably bring up lots of other ideas eg stands/pots etc to place things on/in, wire for when you need a stiffer hold than string etc (I have no idea what else but am confident you would get lots of ideas wondering the aisles of any of these sorts of shops). Then buy him a large box - perhaps one of those big tool boxes - to keep it all in and present it as a single gift. It's not that different to a child with a large craft box with different drawers/sections for pipe cleaners, google eyes, feathers etc (add pipe cleaners to his pile actually).

I would also get him a tablet if he's already using one and borrowing his sibling's.

Get him a few tomato plants at different stages of development, and some tomato feed. I used to love measuring it out and mixing it and diluting it. And a tiny paintbrush to pollinate between plants. Growing tomatoes can be a lot of fun when you are little.

You could get him a microscope so he can look at all sorts of small objects up close. Leaves and feathers, a single hair or nail clipping. Hours of fun.

My son is similar, although only 6, and I got him a coding book that you download an app for -would his brother let him use his iPad for that? It has tasks to complete and a through step-by-step of each stage. It was called Coding for Beginners using Scratch.

He sounds lovely.
Mine love washti tape (poundland) and art stuff

What about a den making kit?
Binoculars and compass?

Lots of ideas on here

shop.scouts.org.uk/scouting-gifts

I reckon masking tape and string is a good present if that's what makes you happy! What about a toolbox to keep his tape etc?
FIMO is good for crafty kids that age and it's just plain blocks of modelling clay so doesn't look like it's particularly aimed at kids.
Or take him to Hobbycraft and B&Q with some spending money!

What about a bottle garden type thing or a grow your own something?

A big box of crart supplies sounds like a great present, mine both loved things like that. Neither of them were big fans of kits, but loved making things.

How about a few rolls of brightly coloured/patterned duck tape.
www.hobbycraft.co.uk/advancedsearchresults.aspx?query=duck+tape There are loads of videos online with project ideas, things like making your own wallet. Or if you prefer a book how about this

Paracord comes in lots of different colours, some of that and again a project book or have a look through videos online together to find ideas.

Polymer clay (Fimo) is another nice open ended modeling material. Similar in texture to plastercene, but once you have made your items you can bake them hard.

A friendship bracelet kit? Some have unisex packaging, if he wouldn't want something 'girly'.

What about a little hydroponic growing pod? Can be used indoors all year round.

Second the knot book and washi tape set.

Would he like Gravitrax?

If he's ASD get what he loves with bells on!

I'd try sparkly tapes for wrapping parcels. Duck tapes in colours. He might like the stretchy coloured bandages they use for pets. Get him some parcel tape too and lots of balls of string in different colours and a pair of safety scissors.

Put it all in a gift box and wrap the box.

A perfect gift for a child with a particular interest!

Fimo for building/making stuff?
I quite like the look of Sugru as well, that could be useful if he likes constructing things.

I’d second/third the vote for a big toolbox type thing with drawers where he can keep all his crafting bits, maybe half fill with some of the ideas here and leave the rest for him to organise. Would he be interested in anything like a science experiment set or grow your own crystals type thing? They’re not too expensive on Amazon. Or one of those sets where you can make your own mini clay bricks and build a house . . . Or failing that, Lego?

Sorry! Retract the Lego as I realise you said he’s not interested.

Oh, I'd definitely find him a tomato plant.

You're right, it's too late to get a small one to grow on from a garden centre but if you know any gardeners they'd let you have one that's cropping now. If you want to make it a bigger present you could get food and a watering can too. Maybe a packet of seeds so he can start his own at Easter time next year.

Some years my DC get expensive presents, some years a fivers' worth, depending on their wants and needs at the time. As you, I'm not spending ££££ just for the sake of getting them "something".

Would he like to paint stones, if he is creative? Acrylic paints and acrylic pens are perfect for this, plus a can of lacquer to seal. You can buy books with ideas for them to copy.

My 8yo ds asked for a sewing kit for his last birthday. We found a plain wooden box in The Works and filled it with felt, thread, needles, buttons and trimmings. I also found some inexpensive little kits. He loves it!

I second a previous PP who recommended Gravitrax. Worth a look if he likes creating things!

Immediately thought knot book and some different strings/ropes!

A set to make paracord bracelets? A torch, maybe head torch?

A small tool set, if the masking tape and strong is more about making things? Screwdrivers, hammer and tacks, a toolbox to keep it in.

Washi tape or the sorts of colourful masking tape you get in craft shops? Perhaps look for beginner adult craft kits (or books, and add your own materials), rather than children's ones?

What about a family treat day out instead? Don't know if it's near you but the Harry Potter WB Tour is excellent. Or the Yorvic Centre in York? Just a thought...

Macrame set for kids. Sailor knot books. Friendship bracelet kit. You might be able to get a tomato plant in bloom from a garden centre

Magnetix kit

Your DS sounds brilliant!

I second just getting him what he wants, plus a hydroponics kit maybe?

Does he appreciate the value of money? My DS also has a very restricted range of interests and likes his Rooster Money account (other accounts also available ) which we set up and gave him one year with all the unspent money we’d allocated for gifts but not found anything to spend on! He’s 12 now and enjoys watching his heavily guarded balance grow, like Gollum with the One Ring…