Looking for advice....

[seawasp]

... Cool Constructing Kits for my younger son Gabriel. He's 7 -- but is considerably older than that with respect to mechanical understanding.

I'm looking for something on the order of the K'Nex, etc., but with more operating components to permit him building things that operate more realistically and more complexly. I'm not sure if the new Erector sets would really do it or not, or if there'd be a better choice. Especially considering the other kids in the house.

Comments

[ross-teneyck.livejournal.com]

Do they still make Lego Mindstorms? (Google says: yes, they do.) It's a system for building programmable Lego robots. Mix in a few of the Technic sets, and you can build some pretty impressive things.

Real honest-to-God example: a guy used Mindstorms to build a robot that solves a Rubik's Cube in less than a minute.

[baka-bacchus.livejournal.com]

Ars Technica finally managed to publish something useful. They have a gift guide for the Non-Scientist that includes to construction sets.

Physics Discovery
Manufacturer: Thames & Kosmos
Price: $27.99 (Shop.Ars)

&

Hydrodynamic Building Set
Manufacturer: Think Geek
Price: $69.99 (Shop)

[wiredgargoyle.livejournal.com]

Another vote for Lego Mindstorms. It can be as simple or as complicated as comfortable for the lil guy. There are quite a few books on the various facets of the system as well, from programming the 'brain' to construction plans for some very cool gadgets.

I once made a robot who's only job was to press record on my VCR when a windup alarm clock chimed. The programming feature on the VCR was broken and I really wanted to tape something!

Somewhat off topic

[chaotic-nipple.livejournal.com]

But Happy Turkey Day!