So my 13 year old is getting too old for Legos. He has a great imagination and has built some stinkin' cool stuff. I want to keep his brain working and his scientific mind active. I know LEGO has a robotics set, but holy cow is gets expensive FAST if you want to actually build stuff. Here's a few things I found:
Not soo much something to build http://www.gizmag.com/sphero-2-faster-brighter/28715/
Seems a bit similar to LEGO because you can built lots of different things http://www.gizmag.com/littlebits-electronic-kits/28822/
Again, seems similar to LEGO because you can build stuff http://www.makershed.com/products/moss-zombonitron
Do you guys know of anything else?
You're never to old or big for Lego's.
I...uh...hate recommending this, but if it's critical thought you want to promote while being a touch more social (hah!), have you thought about getting him addicted to Magic the Gathering?
Somehow, it might be cheaper than Legos.
Subaru engines?
Mazdax605 wrote: You're never to old or big for Lego's.
This.
mndsm wrote:Mazdax605 wrote: You're never to old or big for Lego's.This.
My brother is a 45 year old mechanical engineer and still uses his Legos to think through some of his designs at work.
Too old? Blasphemy!
Seems the next step is to put him to work finishing the Porsche.
Minecraft
Megasquirt install on a 15hp briggs.
I agree that noone is ever too big for Legos. At 13 it's time for one of these.
If he's at all into electronics and computers, how about an Arduino or Rasberry Pi?
If he still wants to build, it's time for lumber and nails, or a grinder and a welder depending.
Go onto craigslist and find him a basket case dirt bike or ATV and have him tear it down and reassemble it. Big bonus points for actually making it run. Not quite as much fun, but just as educational, follow the same plan with a garden tractor, then turn it into a yardkart.
Mine went RC planes at that age. Pretty cheap to get into these days (sub $300) and there are simulators for PC's that allow to to crash virtual planes initially and spare the real ones. If he enjoys it, once you start building your own planes, the amatuer engineering possibilities are pretty much unlimited.
Mazdax605 wrote: You're never to old or big for Lego's.
this!
VW rabbits are the next obvious choice.
RC cars are interesting. 13 is plenty old enough to solo build a Tamiya kit.
I agree with kazoospec. However, I'll be more specific. There are many sites about people scratch building foam r/c aircraft. You can get into it quite reasonably. Here's a link to google images for you to check out. this could be a really fun father and son endeavor.
https://www.google.com/search?q=what+is+magic+the+gathering&biw=1152&bih=645&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&sqi=2&ved=0CAgQ_AUoA2oVChMI8ave2tGuxwIVydSACh1FUw7y#tbm=isch&q=home+built+foam+rc+airplanes
Here's a youtube video of a great flying VERY large gasoline powered version:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CIzSjZ7VKpE
+
And I have no ide why you would have even waited this long!
Look into VEX robotics.
http://www.vexrobotics.com/
It's what the local school is using for it's intro (6-8th grade) robotics classes.
logdog wrote: Seems the next step is to put him to work finishing the Porsche.
To Logdog and whoever "+"d this post, screw you!
Hahaha. I'm Just kidding.
logdog wrote: Seems the next step is to put him to work finishing the Porsche.
I just "+"d it myself.
kylini wrote: I...uh...hate recommending this, but if it's critical thought you want to promote while being a touch more social (hah!), have you thought about getting him addicted to Magic the Gathering? Somehow, it might be cheaper than Legos.
I like how this was entirely ignored. I feel your pain brother. Also, Kaijudo is the kid version. Much cheaper.
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