‘Big’ present ideas for 12 year old boys?

[Knickknacklover]

Really struggling for ideas this year - any suggestions for a present for a geeky, computer/game/space loving 12 year old? Loves coding, robots, any sort of tech.
He already has phone, laptop, and we have family game consoles (switch, Xbox, VR headset). Budget up to £150.
(Lego is a no-go - awash with it and he’s just got done big kits for his birthday. And we have no more room for it!!)
Usually have it all planned out by now, but we literally have zero ideas. Also dreading family asking us for ideas.

Does he have a raspberry pi? You can get them plus add on kits etc to build and code a rover/robot.

Telescope?

Aircraft simulator game?

Astrology stuff,
Microscope
Geology stuff
I know you said no lego......how about a 3d jigsaw?
I bought the "home alone" lego set for my semi geeky sons.
Books, books, books......

There was a Meccano robot set a few years ago. Don't know if that's still around.

Mindstorms (maybe a bit pricy and Lego but it is great)
Raspberry Pi
Arduino kits

Unfortunately he already has mindstorms - joint present last Christmas from us and grandparents. It’s brilliant! But no good for this year. Unless there are expansion packs?

Grandparents have given him a telescope for his birthday.
raspberry pi is a possibility - his older brother has one, and if you can get extensions for robots etc, that could work well.
So difficult at this age! His older siblings are much easier as they just present us with lists!

For DS’s 11th we arranged a few days away in Melbourne (we’re in Sydney). All the family contributed towards flights/hotel/spending money. Is there an exhibition or show you could go to and make a break out of it rather than buying something else?

Clothes?
It's a tricky age as they don't want toys but still want a good pile of stuff!!

Tickets to a gig, maybe? Cinema vouchers? Or extra games for VR gaming?

Tickets to an astronomy or star gazing event. Kielder observatory in Northumberland do them and I'm sure you could find something similar elsewhere. Make a weekend of it maybe? With some small bits wrapped up - a red head torch so as not to destroy night vision, reusable hand warmers, a star chart.

Or beyond your budget but may be possible, tickers to bluedot Festival. Its based at Jodrell Bank observatory in Cheshire and has a space theme as well as live music.

Things to make his gaming environment more comfy like a beanbag or gaming chair? Last year we got ds a razor lightup keyboard and mouse to connect to the ps4, it's completely changed how he plays Minecraft now.

Tim Peake is touring. DS10 went and loved it.

LED lighting for his room
XBox Game Pass
Prints with his favourite game/anime/space photos etc
Some kind of robot coding kit
Course - there are often local ones at colleges etc which are fun
Musical instrument - drum kit, keyboard, guitar? Plus subscription to app to learn it.
Cinema season ticket/gift voucher
Waffle maker/popcorn maker/etc
Branded hoodies, trainers
Onesie or Oodie or that blanket thing
Large bean bag chair

Things my DS has wanted and enjoyed

Keyboard and a subscription to "simply piano" app or electric guitar with a subscription to Yousician app so he has a fighting chance of learning to play.

Simply piano is super user friendly - he will be playing tunes from day 1. Guitar is a little trickier to get started/more patience involved.

My son taught himself using simply piano for a year or two before starting formal lessons.

When my son wanted a guitar we told family he was saving for a guitar and could he have money towards it - then pooled cash from relatives, his savings and our contribution. We preferred to get one big present, with a few sweets, clothes rather than family all buying random stuff and less budget for main present.

Some great ideas here, thank you!

Any chance he might get into warhammer? That’s where ours went after Lego.

My similar sounding nearly 12 year old (but loves silly stuff too) wants a pogo stick.

We will upgrade his laptop too.

Smart watch?

National Geographic science kit
A simple photo montage maker
Harry Potter 3d puzzle set www.wrebbit3dpuzzle.com/collection/harry-potter/