Hobbies/things to do in spare time??

[Fiona8121]

Desperately after ideas of things my son can do while he's off school. He's an older 12 yr old and would rather be doing 'something' than playing on electronics. Ideally something he can do by himself. He's not into lego or drawing. Too old for aqua beads/tie die/marble kits/bracelet making but used to love those. Loves gardening, tinkering with his grandpa's old cars, mowing the grass etc. Doesn't like anything with a remote control he just wants to do stuff with his hands and I'm at a loss! Any ideas before he drives me mad saying "what can i do"????

Do you have a "man shed" near you?

Gardening can expand to fill lots of time! You could give him a budget and a section of the garden to design (depending on size). Also my DS enjoys cooking/baking and prepares family meals once in a while; again, give him a budget and a cookbook?

Meccano - although its not that cheap. If he is a careful boy then perhaps he could try a basic carpentry project like making a storage box or a planter for the garden.

Learn bike maintenance? Get a cheap bike off Gumtree, do it up, sell hopefully for a profit. Repeat! Loads of videos on YouTube.

Mine is really into stop-motion animation. Making figures out of plasticine and building sets (Wallace and Gromit style) and then making short films. It takes hours and hours so is a great time filler. Plus there is a great competition called Young Animator of the Year that runs over the summer.

Other hobbies he has are writing short stories, painting miniature figures and he writes a history blog. Unfortunately he isn’t interested in sports.

I second Mecano.
Or maybe he could decorate his bedroom?

How about this?
www.1000hoursoutside.com/blog/1000-hours-outside-2020-challenge
Also good sources for ideas - Scouts/Guides websites.
wonderlabplus.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/
www.rspb.org.uk/fun-and-learning/for-kids/games-and-activities/activities/
Cooking.
Animation.
Decorating.
Volunteering.
Geocaching.
Upcycling.

How about volunteering to help with the gardening somewhere? Maybe at a community hall, old peoples home, charity HQ, hospice etc