Thread for non-toy ideas for presents

[GrapefruitMoon]

I think it was last year that we had a thread along these lines - basically ideas for gifts for children who don't really play with toys (rather than teenagers who are too old for them!)

Ds1 is 7 and the things I am thinking about at the moment are:

Night spy goggle things
Metal detector
Popcorn maker

(He will probably get books, annuals, game for his ds as well/instead)

watch
magic set
bath crayons
cool towel
book bag/new school bag and fillers
camping set (if into this...head torch, map book, sleeping bag, fishing rod)
maze book/ where wally type book
jigsaws

• NG Kids sub (with tesco clubcard points), get the current issue and wrap it with a note saying he will get one every month.
• craft things? ds got some cool fridge magnet things for his birthday, they were probably only a few quid. Hama beads. Variouss craft kits around.
• electronics kit I got one of these for £5 from a cheap bookshop for ds last year and it has been a real hit. I have been buying them as birthday presents for others since.
• ds just got a badge maker for his 6th, he likes it but not sure it has enduring appeal. I feel the same about things like the coin maker and popcorn maker.
• games? Not the same as toys. My ds currently loves monopoly, also yahtzee, uno, top trumps, battleships.

Am thinking of putting together a tool kit for my dc's. DH spent some time with them in the summer showing them how to saw, nail etc and they loved it.