Ds is 12 next week and we have no idea what to give him.

We have him a second hand Xbox for Christmas, he has hardly played with it.

He likes making things - not Lego, but anything using string, tape, wood.

I'm totally stuck. He loves board games, but we have loads.

Any ideas?

Has he got Minecraft on his XBOX?

Decent tool kit?

Meccano or Airfix models? A bit old school but sometimes they are the best!

Would an experience of some sort suit him?
My 13 year old went go karting for his birthday and absolutely loved it.
We've also done an escape room recently which was very good fun - I really want to do more! - and he's now begging to go paintballing as a family.
Other options - climbing wall? Canoeing?
Depending on your child you could book a family experience or get something for him to do with a couple of friends? The go karting was less prohibitively expensive than I'd imagined...

Lego Technic or a raspberry pi?

Bookcase from ikea [something practial he can make!]

Hi

We bought a driving experience (in a proper car) for our godson aged 12 - he's really pleased with it.

Octsmum

Amber, he's got loads of tools but we could add more and put them in a box - he can make the box. That s a good idea.

Kcg, meccano is another good idea. He won't make anything that involves following instructions- but he is good at making his own designs. Iv e seen boxes of miscellaneous meccano parts on eBay.

Loobylou, he's going to an escape room, a lot of boys have birthdays at the same time and this is a "new" friend (he's in year 7), he's going this weekend.

He can't decide what to do, he's been go karting but is keener to go paintballing. I've heard it hurts - and I don't know these boys or their parents - and I think it's over 12 - most are under 12. Would have to fInd boys who don't care about cold weather etc. My son would love it. I don't know enough about it.

Your suggestions are great. Tools and meccano. Thank you so much.

Air soft is better than paintballing - fewer injuries.

I live with a man like that.