Present ideas needed for seven yr old boy?

[Cherys]

Hi

I'm stuck for what to get my seven year old as his main present. He wants a nintendo but we've said no, partly as we can't really afford one and partly because he's already quite sedentary and loves anything screen related but we want to encourage other things.

He doesn't like sport, loves art (but is getting art materials from his grandparents) loves books... His brother is getting a longed for i-pod shuffle with all his favourite songs on it, but he isn't that excited by music and hasn't seemed thrilled when we've suggested something similar for him. I'm looking for something around the same price as the i-pod:£45-50.

If he gets any more lego I will build an extension with it.

Very grateful for all ideas and interested to know what were big hits with non sporty boys this age among other mums.

Thanks

Digital Camera?

Bendaroos? - good if he's arty

K'nex?

Micro Scalextric? - The Entertainer have some as well. You obviously could buy the full size, but a) more expensive and b) need more room

Remote control car?

Thanks Furball.

Knex is a great idea as they haven't had any since they had the junior version - and he used to love that.

And bendaroos. he is mad about art at the moment and I want to encourage that.

Great suggestions.

You could have been writing about my son, have just been looking at the bendaroos and they sound ideal for him.

Am considering a lego set but like you we have loads of it.

He will be getting one ds game and one xbox game only, he did ask for his own laptop or xbox buy he won't be getting that for sure.

They will be getting a joint dvd player for their room too and a couple of dvds.

My son loves the wheres wally books and his atlas, would yours like something like that? digital camera? be prepared for unflattering photos though.

Had thought about a telescope, but dh says theres not much for him to look at out his window, might upset the neighbours too.

Last year he got one of those ant colonies things, he was very excited but the plants never grew, very disappointing, not sure what we did wrong.

He also wanted a gold fish for his room, but don't think his younger brother can be trusted and they share a room.