Presents for 8yo ds - no lego!

[charlieandlola]

or plastic crappy stuff - overrun with Lego, hotwheels,playmobil,k'nex.
Would like to get him stuff that is a bit more sciency or that makes him use his brain or his body.

Thought of a globe, a skateboard - am i missing anything obvious for 8-9yo boys?
Thanks

[iheartdusty]

telescope
binoculars
periscope
microscope
roller blades
(assume he has bike, scooter)
archery bow and arrows or crossbow
basketball and net
spacehopper
stilts
pogo stick

[ChasingSquirrels]

Hot Wires electronics set
bike
books

[southeastastra]

\link{http://www.letterbox.co.uk/20670-06545/universal-brick-building-kit\this looks appealing}

[trice]

A magnifying glass is good fun for an 8 yr old. You can pretend to be a sleuth and also burn your name into a piece of wood in the summer.

A set of glass boiling tubes and some pippetes and a conical flask are better value than expensive chemistry sets. Ebay is a good source. Also magnets and iron filings can be hours of fun.

I also suggest a good quality basket ball.

I am a great believer in avoiding "toy" versions of anything when the real item is often cheaper and easier to use.