To ask for "old fashioned" games ideas for DS (9) to play?

[Sleeping456]

Sorry to barge into AIBU :)

DS is nine and the problem we have at the moment is that when he wants a break from his new DS he always says he doesn't know what to do.

He is great at helping with jobs, helping to cook, ride his bike, even knit or write stories etc when he is in the mood but it is specifically stuff he can do by himself indoors that I am looking for.

I really would like some ideas for non-screen time activities for him to play by himself. Back in the good old 1970s young boys must have amused themselves all the time without DS consoles etc.

I'm thinking Airfix kits or meccano or whatever. Unfortunately he doesn't like Lego anymore which is rather annoying :).

Got any ideas? What do your kids do?

Many thanks in advance.

My favourite game at that age was throwing a coin at a wall whoevers coin was closest won the monies. Ace game.

The game 'Operation' can be enjoyed solo.

Also tiddlywinks.

DS started writing a 'graphic novel' when he was about the same age as your DS involving a comedy cow as the central character.

There are some good magazines for children.

my nine year old likes dot to dot books and maze books. Also playing patience.

Endless fun with a keyboard - I advise headphones.

Ooh, Hama beads. My three have spent hours with these.

Oh yes microscope! I've never ate a nik nak since I looked at one under a microscope.

Have already made my suggestions above. But (at the risk of making myself unpopular if your DS is still reading over your shoulder) my kids recently decided that they were going to have a screen-free week. I swear it was their idea, not mine!

They said themselves that it became much easier to think of new things to do, once screens were absolutely off the agenda. There is definitely something about sitting in front of the screen that narrows the imagination about what else one might be doing. (And I speak for myself, as another evening goes by without the laundry getting put away )

Card games
Airfix
Subbuteo
Jigsaw puzzles

A couple of other suggestions, which although they involve screen time, can also involve "old fashioned" games as well:
Microscope - my DS(8) got one for Christmas which includes a camera by which you can upload pictures of slides onto your computer. DS had fun today taking microscopic pictures of snow
Zu3d animation kit - this includes a camera and relevant software. Got this last summer when we really didn't have a summer, and DS has spent many a happy hour making films. He uses various models for the films including lego (may get your DS back into lego), subbuteo (trying to film a whole match, may take some time ), drawings, plasticine. He will also spend time writing stories and drawing storyboards, so definitely keeps him busy.

Have you got the National Trust book - 50 things to do before you're 11&3/4. It's fab. Available from Book people for a couple of quid.