Presents for 8yo ds - no lego!

[charlieandlola]

or plastic crappy stuff - overrun with Lego, hotwheels,playmobil,k'nex.
Would like to get him stuff that is a bit more sciency or that makes him use his brain or his body.

Thought of a globe, a skateboard - am i missing anything obvious for 8-9yo boys?
Thanks

telescope
binoculars
periscope
microscope
roller blades
(assume he has bike, scooter)
archery bow and arrows or crossbow
basketball and net
spacehopper
stilts
pogo stick

Hot Wires electronics set
bike
books

\link{http://www.letterbox.co.uk/20670-06545/universal-brick-building-kit\this looks appealing}

A magnifying glass is good fun for an 8 yr old. You can pretend to be a sleuth and also burn your name into a piece of wood in the summer.

A set of glass boiling tubes and some pippetes and a conical flask are better value than expensive chemistry sets. Ebay is a good source. Also magnets and iron filings can be hours of fun.

I also suggest a good quality basket ball.

I am a great believer in avoiding "toy" versions of anything when the real item is often cheaper and easier to use.