new thing for a boy who likes Legos

[mrbigstuff]

My son loves his Legos. More Legos would be the obvious win, but I have begun searching for something that could stimulate his creativity and mechanical ability in the same way. That "thing" would not have to be based on construction or buildings, it simply has to make him think. At first, I thought some more board games may fill this niche, but I can't find any (online only at the moment) that seem to qualify. Any thoughts?

[Gilbert]

Our son also loves Legos. A couple of years ago we bought him a Marble Mania set and he really likes it.

http://www.tlji.com/745533.html

We also found him a similar item call Tube Traxx that is alot of fun. Here is one link but looks like it is no longer sold but maybe you could find another vendor or eBay.

http://www.amazon.com/Translucent-Tube-T...B0006PKR70

[NewtonMP2100]

......eggos....? (Lego (let go), my eggos)

[cbelt3]

Age ? Mechanical aptitude ? It really will define how far you go.

But I agree- the Marble Works sort of things are fun- fast building, noisy and kinetic end result.

For the more technical (and older.. age 10 plus), the Mindworks are freaking awesome. My eldest son really enjoyed building his R2D2 at age 13.

[M>B>]

http://www.legoland.com/



.

[Winston]

In addition to Legos, I loved Tinkertoys as a kid. K'nex offer some of the same type of connectivity. Easier to build larger structures than with Legos. I remember the Tinkertoys having wheels which could be connected by string to make windmills turn, etc.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00004TFRN

But as cbelt3 mentions, it depends on age as well as interest.

I prefer the "make anything" kits to the ones with instructions and parts for a specific "creature" or thing. Also, with our kids we did not have success with the more complicated construction kits. One, for which I can't remember the name, had clear globe-shaped modules which had gears, motors or other parts inside. We used it only a couple of times.

One other idea: a collection of wires, battery holders, bulbs, buzzers and switches from Radio Shack or the local hardware store. Or a book on how to make things from stuff like this, if you have a bit older child (probably about age 11).


Good luck.

- Winston

[volcs0]

My kids graduated from legos to bionicles.

[mikebw]

Winston wrote:
One, for which I can't remember the name, had clear globe-shaped modules which had gears, motors or other parts inside. We used it only a couple of times.

Capsela. It was awesome. I also had Construx which allowed larger scale constructions than Lego.

[Shakes]

My son went from Legos to Lego Mindstorm (Lego robotics building which includes simple programming).
mindstorms.lego.com
He was in national competitions with it and now is looking at colleges for electrical engineering.

[BernDog]

Winston wrote:
One other idea: a collection of wires, battery holders, bulbs, buzzers and switches from Radio Shack or the local hardware store. Or a book on how to make things from stuff like this, if you have a bit older child (probably about age 11).
- Winston

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index....Id=3814337

I like the marble set idea as well. Of course, it seems like we're all assuming your son is around 10 or older, give or take.

Do they still make the old Domino Rally stuff? I always wanted a set of that.