Gift ideas for 5yo DS who doesn't like toys?

[MazyCrummy]

My youngest DC just doesn't like toys. He loves being outside on his bike or scooter, but inside would rather play with bits of string and random items than toys. What can I get him?

He loves joining in with family board games, film nights, etc but has no interest in toys - Lego, Meccano, dolls, cars, etc - or gadget-y things like age appropriate Leap Pad stuff. He loved the suitcase thing a Dr's kit came in, to fill with random stuff, but not the role play toys inside. Ditto toolset.

I've got his 'main' present (something for all 4DC to share) but I'm stumped for a couple of individual gifts...help me please!

A pogo stick, an easel and paints, roller skates, a teepee, a den making kit?

Ooh, I think he'd like a teepee to fill with random junk

Thank you!

Skate board, football nets?

If he likes random crap why not get him a little case full of random crap?

My DD is nearly 8 and she'd still rather play with stuff she's found when we're out (floor booty we call it) than real toys a lot of the time.

How about a ball of string, some buttons, a packet of blu tack, some old/foreign coins (DD loves her random coin collection) some polished stones, a bag of marbles, scraps of interesting material, pipe cleaners, straws and a roll of tin foil? They are all things which would go down well in our house.

Pack of cards with a book on single player card games (Patience, Pyramids, etc)

Guinness Book of Records.

Some kind of science kit or cooking set or a magic kit etc.

Loose, we'd done an outside version - wheelbarrow, sticks, rope, etc but not thought of an inside version. He'd love his own role of tin foil!!

I can see a corner of the lounge being given over to a teepee filled with things I'm looking for wrapped in tin foil...and a happy little boy adventuring with his treasure!

Thanks all!

Oh yes my DS would have loved a random box at that age. Blu Tack, bumper block of post it notes for sticking on stuff, string, elastic bands, pack of notebooks, multipack of envelopes for stuffing things in, foil's a great one.

Just thought of another thingto go in, rubber bands.

Craft box - small chest/ basket with lid full with seletape/ glue/ scissors/ craft sticks/ bluetac/ Pom poms/ sequins/ card/ googly eyes etc

Children's cookbook and cupcake cases and apron

Books

Bug box, magnify glass, binoculars

Ant Farm, sciencey stuff, go ape voucher, book people box set of his favourite stories, ELC Doctors bag, jigsaws of a family holiday photo/memory (Trueprint), Zoo keeper for the day

I got this for my almost 7 yr old DD. She will love it (and so will I, as we'll do them together)
Science Museum Chemistry set

I know he's 5, but when I read your post I thought of the books by Keri Smith. Pocket Scavenger came to mind: www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=keri+smith
I thought they were interesting. I think my niece has one and she liked it.

Thank you all for your suggestions

I should have added to my original post that any kind of 'kit' (science, cooking, craft) gets pillaged for pots/tubs/spoons/wires to fill with random tat treasure or to join inventions together, etc.

I bought this last night (thanks insanity):
Garden Games Limited Children's Aztec Wigwam Play Tent with Wooden Frame and Natural Cotton Canvas (Blue) www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00FI3VZF8/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_5LN7vbCY37VQC

and I'm going to make him a 'treasure chest' filled with things for his adventures. I think he'll love it!

Do you have a scrap store near you? My Ds is like this and absolutely loves being allowed to go and fill a bag with random bits.