Struggling for ideas for 9yo DS

[sailorcherries]

I have a 9yo DS who isn't interested in video games (any - Xbox, playstation, Nintendo or games such as Minecraft, Roblox and Fortnite) and he isn't interested in football etc.
Plays the piano, enjoys drawing, has books coming out his ears and most boars games I can think of (monopoly, beat the parents, cluedo, Jenga, trivial pursuit, cranium etc). Has no interest in tablets/electronics. Has a bike, scooter and so on. Bought roller skates once and never used them.

I have bought theatre tickets for a David Walliams adaptation.

What else is there out there? I've looked at experience days but driving/shooting/falconry aren't his cup of tea. He has had a zookeeper day at a small local day 3 times from his paternal family.

I am genuinely stumped.

Does he have any interest in LEGO/knex/meccano or other construction type toys?
What about Boomtrix or Gravitrax
Spirograph and art supplies
Science kits such as zombie party
An animation kit - ZU3D ant Hue ones have good reviews, ds 8 is getting the Hue one from my parents for Christmas.

Another one going to suggest Lego - technic or possibly the architecture sets.
Do you have Labyrinth or Ticket to ride board games, highly recommend both for his age.
A decent/ on trend pair of trainers or hoody something you wouldn’t buy normally

Binoculars
Remote control car

Maybe a go pro? Lego. Cinema pass. A diary with a lock.

My almost 9 DS is having Gravitrax, which he's asked for. He also loves Lego.
He also loves gadgets so I think a robotic hand might go on the list.

Remote control helicopters look cool too.

He has had remote controlled cars that have sat in the box, the same goes for a small drone he was given.

Lego can peak his interest at times. I am currently gutting his room and he has 4 unopened boxes, so they're probably a no go due to wastage, they're still age appropriate (one perk of the eow contact, no child to defend the raggedy toy they've not used in years).

I'll look at the board games mentioned, plus the spirograph and animation kits might be a hit.

It seems so difficult to buy growing boys anything if video games and football etc aren't an interest!

Labyrinth as mentioned. Rummikubs.

Geomag

My 8 year old adores labyrinth.

How about a science kit or crystals etc?

Any drawing classes near you? Maybe buy some really nice quality art stuff?

If he likes to read - a kindle?
Science or magic kits?
Labyrinth is a popular game here
An echo dot for his room?

I bought DS10 a wooden box filled with colouring pencils last year. He loved it and still uses it.

Other ideas:

• laser maze
• science kits
• horrible history books
• diary
• tickets to a musical or concert
• more books (no such thing as too many)

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We have Kindle fire, he doesn't like it for books but the apps (he likes to 'hold a book' - this makes me quite proud haha).

The drawing classes might be a good idea if I can find any. He loves colouring and drawing and is good, even if I am biased.

Thank you for your suggestions!

Telescope
Microscope
Magic trick set
Origami kit
Light tracing box
Chemistry set
Watch
Wallet
Airfix kits
Hornby model railway

Ds loved Beano comics so was overjoyed with an annual subscription.

If he likes art and drawing, a sketch book with black pages and a few white/very very pale colouring pencils or watercolour pencils or pastels - it’s a different way of drawing. Or the works (and probably others) have things like an introduction to drawing Manga or cars or superheros or calligraphy.

A subscription to the science magazine Whizz Bang POP.

How about some 'How To' books on drawing. You can get brilliant books on how to draw animals, buildings, people, how to draw ad design comic strips. Give him those with some good sketch books and go to an art shop for advice on really good coloured pencils and get him a professional-quality set. Then add some graphic novels that combine his love of reading and art.

You could get him some other art based things, such as design your own tee-shirt or design your own trainers.

If you think he might get interested in painting too, get him an easel or a donkey (sit down easel) and some paints and brushes. Be prepared for the mess though. Hours of cleaning up afterwards. Drawing is cleaner!