The Perfect Gift for an 8 Year Old Boy

Look, if your boy is anything like mine, gift-giving becomes progressively harder with each Birthday.  Gone are the days when a multi-colored train is sufficient.  Now, it seems that if the gift does not require batteries or a power switch, it's simply not worth giving.

Well, except for Legos.

For the past few years William has been (as all boys are, it seems) obsessed with Legos.  At first, he was interested ONLY in the finished product.  Which meant that daddy was intimately involved in the building process.  But as the years have gone by, William has gotten more and more interested in the construction.  Nowadays, there is nothing he loves more than a "complicated build" involving hours (sometimes days) of careful step-by-step direction following. 

But here's the rub: Legos - especially the ones that are considered a "complicated build" - are SO EXPENSIVE.  A moderately priced set can cost $50, and most are much more than THAT. 

Which is why I was THRILLED when William received Snap Circuits, Jr. in the mail from his Uncle Bradley:

Snap Circuits, Jr.

It's a set of circuits and switches that, when assembled correctly, can produce all sorts of fun things.  One assembly makes a fan whir.  Another makes a bell whistle.  Some switches control a series of lights.  All of these things require a "complicated build", and in order to move on to the next project, you have to carefully disassemble and start over. 

It's much like Legos in that it requires patent, careful direction following, but without a zillion little pieces. (Anyone who has stepped on a Lego in the middle of the night will understand my glee).

And the best part? This set costs less than $30.  Wahoo!

Do you have boys?  What are some of his favorite gifts?  Please share.  Christmas will be here before we know it.  Ack!


ps: Snap Circuits and Amazon are not paying me to say any of this.  Can't a girl just LIKE something on the Internet without getting paid? Huh?