Really good "main" present for an 8 year old boy?

[CheerfulYank]

He likes Lego but has plenty. Loves Harry Potter. Loves gadgety stuff. Like robots, etc. (I saw a really cool one on Amazon that he'd love but it was $300 and that's a bit over budget.)

Any ideas?

Harry Potter World tickets?

Metal detector? A proper one?

Snap circuits?
The new star wars robot sphere thing?

Hot Wires

Raspberry pi?

Coding lessons?

Ds3 is 8 and is fervently hoping that Father Christmas will bring him a huge Millennium Falcon.

Father Christmas isn't convinced she can afford it.

My nearly 8 year old son wants Lego Dimensions game. Similar to Disney infinity and skylanders. Can make up the cars etc before playing them on the game. I think it looks brill

Scalextric?
Harry Potter monopoly. (My 6&8 yr olds absolutely love monopoly!)
How about some spy stuff? You could maybe make a kit with bionic ear, binoculars, usborne do a couple of great spy books ( we had a run on spy stuff last year, trying to remember anything else) invisible ink pen with revealing torch

There is a new illustrated version of the first Harry Potter book out here in the UK- it looks amazing and I will be buying it for myself for my Potter mad 9 year old. Both children have asked for a Teksta Robot Kitty and Puppy. I have bought them and am really impressed! They retail at £60 but I got them on offer for £25. They have over 100 actions/ responses while eventually learning a special trick and can be controlled by an app or hand motion. One of my very techy children will love the app idea. I think the robots also interact so should be fun. I have girls who love technology and Potter

Oh there is also a dinosaur robot in the same range and some other creatures.

albuspotter yes that illustrated book is so gorgeous! Ds1 is having it for Christmas for us to enjoy !

Oooh thanks for all the ideas!

He would love to go to Harry Potter World but the one here in the States is so far away. We would like to someday though!

If he likes gadgety stuff how about Little Bits electronics kit so he can build his own. I've got DS who is 9 the arduino kit and a space kit as he loves programming stuff and doing electronics.

Albus Where did you get the Teksta for £25.00 please ?

My 8yo boy is getting a camera. Sadly Santa can't afford the £700 drone he thinks he also needs to film his Dr Who episodes.

Have you seen the Lego education stuff?

They have things like a robotic crocodile that plugs into the computer, and a wind turbine with a gauge that shows how much electricity it is making.

I have seen them available in Germany, but it looks from the website that in the UK you maybe can't buy them individually, but only in a set for the classroom.

They look really good though! here is where I have seen them in Germany, and they do deliver abroad, I think.

Ah, just seen you are in the US, my post probably won't help you then!

daisydalrymple have you seen the deluxe version.. So expensive but one day!!
Oldraver I got them from Asda online last week for £24.99 Smyths had the dog for £35.99 and the cat for £30- Amazon have the cat for £30 at the moment

harriet I've just bought that millennium falcon for ds's Christmas or birthday - it does look pretty good but definitely playing for the Star Wars name too

have a look on here they have a lot of scratch map type gifts my boys love them : ) ..
letteroom.com

Mines getting a bike. Santa is bringing a matching helmet, drinks bottle, Anthony Horowitz spy books, spy walkie talkies, a fluffy blanket and some lego.

I love the idea of Harry Potter Monopoly. Must google it.

albus wow! Just looked now. £150??!! Phew, I need to lie down! There goeth the complete budget

K'nex? The fairground stuff is pretty cool