9 year old boy ... ideas to stop him getting bored

[winnie]

Recently I have had a friends nine year old son quite a lot and will be having him more and more in the future. He would be quite content to sit at the computer all day (Mmmm... wouldn't we all?) However, I am concerned that he should be doing other things too, and although I will ask my friend for suggestions, I thought Mumsnetters may have some ideas. I do take him to the park quite a lot too. Somehow I just don't imagine him doing crafty things as my daughter liked to on a wet day. Suggestions please?

winnie, how about board games, my nearly 7 year old boy likes Mastermind, Battleships, trump cards, Robot Wars - have just made a great arena out of a banana box, silver spray paint and yellow and black sticky tape (very Blue Peter!).

We limit Game Boy to an hour a day to stop him turning into a complete Zombie. How about him having a friend from school over (generally easier for you as you won't have to entertain him then).

Has he got a bike he could bring, could you go on bike rides together? You could get him to make next years gift tags out of this years Christmas cards. How about getting him to help out around the house to earn himself some money? R.

Rhiannon, where did you get the black and yellow tape, as my little roboteers would like some too!

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Ems, couldn't get the striped tape, so went to a builder's shop and bought a roll of each colour. Apparently you should be able to get the striped stuff in a electrical suppliers although I haven't anywhere with any in stock! You'll need a roll of red too for the pits! R.

You could supply some a model-making kits so he can make and then paint a vehicle.

Also good old paints and pencils, of course.

Winnie, you don't say how much this boy's parents can afford to buy him. I guess if they are on a limited budget, you'll have to think carefully...

Also, my son has very firm likes and dislikes, so before anyone spends their money, perhaps you could ask this 9-year-old what he would like to do - even take him on a shopping trip to a craft or toy shop.

My son is not really a crafty or model-making type of guy, and he will only play with lego and Knex if he is with a friend. Yet other boys his age will sit and construct for hours by themselves. Mine loves applying temporary tattoos to his body, mixing up strange potions in a bowl in our kitchen and simple sewing - the last only if an adult is closely supervising him.

I think you will really have to ask this boy.

If he really likes computing, why not let him learn how to program? That is not beyond a nine year old, and it's far more constructive than game playing, or messing around with "educational" software.

Regarding a programming language... BASIC would be suitable. QBASIC is supplied with most Microsoft operating systems, it's usually to be found lurking on the CD-ROM. Otherwise, search the net for "QBASIC.EXE". It's not a Windows program, it runs in MS-DOS mode, so don't expect anything wonderful, it's a simple language aimed at beginners. Your local library will probably have books on programming in BASIC.