Non tech gifts for tech obsessed 8yo boy

[planplan]

My 8yo DS has produced a list basically asking for consoles, pc, tv etc but nothing else.

He has a Switch already that we limit and an iPad.

I want to get him stuff he'll appreciate that's not tech but I've no clue.

What are you getting your 8yo?

My son is 7 and loves tech. I also work in tech for a job so I try to embrace it in a positive way. I also fondly remember playing Atari and Sega when I was a kid, so I try to how exciting computers were as a child.

I've been looking at interactive toys for him that combine screens with physical play:

I'd suggest:

Nintendo Labo

Sphero Coding Toy

Star Wars Coding Kit

Was going to second Gravitrax too. He had the starter set last year for his birthday and a year on has had extension and extras to make more complicated layouts.

Thank you for this thread xx

Blatantly placemarking! Some great ideas there, thanks😊

@Toilenstripes

Why do you want to get him stuff he doesn’t want?

My child is also tech obsessed and I have to be so mindful of balancing his enjoyment of that and encouraging other activities so enjoyment doesn’t become obsession.

This is a brilliant thread thanks OP .
I have a DD who loves all the
Toys still and there will be a huge list from her. DS is 7 and it gets harder every year - what he wants is a Nintendo switch but I am
Hoping to avoid that as long as possible .
Looked at Turing Tumble before so good to see that recommended here. We got Osmo last year and it’s not been used enough
To justify the price !

DS is 8. He's getting a mix of the following from us, grandparents and uncle.
Lego (Minecraft and Ninjago)
DK ocean Encyclopedia
13 Storey Treehouse book
Minecraft backpack & water bottle
Preston Playz t-shirt
Yu Gi Oh cards & t-shirt
Playmobil Scooby Doo ancient Egypt set.
Dino smashers.
An electronic money box.
Possibly a new duvet cover & pjs too.

If you have outdoor space what about an archery set? We're going to get one for DS 9th birthday in a few months.
Or a Science experiment kit.
Spirograph
Magna tiles (a friend said her 8 year old loves them).
Ripleys believe it or not book
Guinness book of records.

DS loves tech so like a pp I try to embrace it with things that mix tech with other activities. Nintendo Labo has been a huge hit here and DS now saves his pocket money for add ons. Lego hidden side is also great for combining the tech with a toy. We've bought Mario Lego for Christmas which I'm confident will be popular too.
Aside from that he loves his Phoenix magazine subscription and the associated books, ive bought a popcorn maker to use on our weekly movie night and various bits of Mario related merch such as a onesie. Pyjamas, a lamp for his room and a school bag.

We aim for stuff that's an experience as well as 'a thing'. Doing a puzzle together is kind of a tradition now. We also get those Escape Room games, boxed up ones with all the clues in, and spend a nice afternoon doing that. The gift isn't just the thing, but the laugh you have together on that rainy afternoon.

Same for some of the more indie boardgames.

Phoenix comic subscription has been an excellent investment, they love it.

It's still involving a screen, but google Scratch coding/ programming for kids. You can buy books for it, to teach kids how to code their own games etc. It's an educational tool but doesn't seem like it to the kids.

He he seen Back to the Future yet? There’s not too much bad language and my 8 year old thought it was brilliant. Playmobil have released a Deloreon car and it’s amazing. Ok so really I wanted it but my son will like it too!

I'm looking at Minecraft and Mario lego for my two gamers. Lots of other Minecraft merchandise too.

Tech obsessed here too! I’ve gone for a Scooter, new Heeleys (I thought these were done with but he’s shown a renewed interest in his brother’s lately!), maybe things for his room in the theme of a game he likes or similar? Mine has things like themed bedding and those Funko pop models etc. Slightly techy versions of board games you can play together like the new Pictionary Air.

Hot Wires is a good technical toy, snap circuits is essentially the same thing.

DS had Turing Tumble last Christmas, and it has had quite a lot of use over the last ten months.

My son is nearly 8 and loves Snap Circuits, Beano & Lego Boost. The latter involves a screen, but it’s hands on too.