What to buy for DS (4) who doesn't do imagination!

[PassTheTwiglets]

DS isn't into toys where you have to use your imagination, like Playmobil or castle playsets etc. What he loves is fiddling about with stuff - levers to pull, buttons to push, lots of hands-on stuff. I am totally stuck... he had Lego for his birthday recently so that's out.

Any ideas?

My DS is the same. I'm getting a personalised torch and this shark game

Lots of books!

Does he have a marble run?

We're the same here.
I haven't got a clue what to get my 4yo.

What about a leap pad or inno tab?

Yes, we have a marble run and a Leap pad. No idea what an inno tab is but will Google it in a minute :) That shark game looks fun! Thanks all! I do actually have a few things for him already (playdough, cheapy car track thingy and a few other bits) but I feel like I ought to get him a main present too - but maybe I don't... ? It's the letter to Father Xmas thing that's the problem - I know he's not going to ask for any of the things I've got him and I don't want him to be disappointed if he asks Father Xmas for something and doesn't get it, so I usually try to steer him towards a particular thing. Perhaps I should suggest that he asks for a surprise :)

Some of those Imaginext playsets look fun, I might look at those too...

This looks brilliant!

I really want to get him that but he is insisting that he wants a stupid talking fire engine with absolutely no play value. Sigh.

Have a look at the happy puzzle company - they've got lots of make and create stuff that he might like, as well as games.

Some of them will be too old but they should have some suitable stuff

Meccano?

Is the talking fire engine expensive? Is it worth getting it for him alongside something else that you know he'll actually play with?

Imaginext always gets good reviews on here and elsewhere - I've got a few friends who have that fire set and say it's great.

Greedy Gorilla game from Orchard - DS1 loves this
Toy microwave/kitchen
Wooden train set
Playmobil recycling truck

Does he have a camera? Ds sounds a little similar and is getting one of the v-tech ones.

The talking fire engine is stupidly expensive BUT I can get it for 'free' with Tesco vouchers. So I've just ordered that as he is absolutely determined! I might see if I can swing it for the PILs to get him the fire set...

Thanks for your ideas, everyone!

Oh and Merlion, yes, he has the V-Tech camera (got it last year) and he LOVES it, I definitely recommend it! It's great for our sort of boys :)

what about the vtech camcorder thats great too, my ds got it last year aged 4, his sister has the camera, it does make me laugh when i play back what they have recorded

the camera also acts as a camcorder...

Kid K'NEX - a friends DS was very taken with this at about that age. I remember him proudly showing us all a caterpillar type creature he'd made.