Please help, need a cool present for an 8yo boy, around £30

[Jinsei]

I have done all my shopping and am now trying to help my mum, who is having a massive panic. We need inspiration for my DNephew, budget is around £30. Bright kid, musical, into science, football and reading, but likely to be interested in a wide range of other stuff. His mum has specified no Lego, and noted that he has a lot of sciencey stuff already. Games might go down well too.

My mum really wants to get him something nice, please help if you have any good ideas! :)

Can't go wrong with nerf guns!

Or Roald Dahl collection if you want to please your mum. Nerf guns if you want to please the kid

A junior sized guitar?
A harmonica and a learn how to play book?
A uke?
Does he like Harry Potter? First book and first film on DVD?

Subscription to Puffin Post - six magazines a year and he gets to choose his own book from each?
Are Lego games allowed?
Dinosaur dig?
Boomwhackers I want these

DS1 who is 8 is getting The Hobbit board game for Christmas.
Scooter
A nice selection of books

Also, just thought an mp3 player?

Quercetti Rollercoaster

Subbuteo would probably go down well and you can get it for £30 in some places!

Magazine subscription? £30 would do a years worth.

Magazine...our Dcs get First News which should be interesting for a bright 8yr old.

Or sponsor an animal at a nearby wildlife park...he should get a certificate, photos etc and a chance to have a free visit and hang out with a keeper, if that's his kind of thing.

One of those premier league football tops with his own name on the back..think big sports retailers do the, but might be too close to Christmas?

That playdough game where you have to model a specific word total mental block on its name

Hex bugs. Remote control car, Xbox, wii game, day out, etc... Fancy dress outfit, hmv vouchers etc...

have bought my 7 year old ds Hot Wires which he has been begging me for, he's really into sciencey things. little over £30 though

There are electrcity kits around for £30....amazon, john lewis etc...

or a ripstik is pretty good - can get for £30 on ebay

Wow, loads of ideas - thanks all! He already has some of the stuff that's been suggested but I haven't even heard of some of the others! Off to do some research!!

Are u near a science centre? Could get tickets for that x