Besides electronics (video games, ipods, etc) what can I get a 13 year old boy for Christmas?
He’s somewhat into sports (basketball, volleyball) and playing music (clarinet), but neither of those things really lends themselves to a present.
He likes sciency stuff, and his uncle is getting him a really cool RC airplane. But what can I get him?
Help
Sciency? How about a computer engineer Barbie doll? Dressed in a funky tee with binary code design!
http://shop.mattel.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4032107
LEGO Mindstorms! They can be a bit pricey, but are totally worth it.
I read that one of the hot new toys this year is the paper guitar.
They still had some at our local Target store the other day - about $25 and look like they could be fun - plus learn some basics of guitar and rock out!
I have heard they are fairly loud as well - and that should make any 13 year old kid, male or female, happy.
When I was that sort of boy, a long time ago, my aunt sent me a shoe box full of science fiction books, mostly short stories so I could get a taste of imagination without getting bogged down. Anthologies of some of the classics. I though it was stupid for awhile and then I thought, “I’ll just read one of the shortest stories, that shouldn’t take long.”
And then I read the 2nd to shortest story and by the time Spring had arrived that box of books had given me new perspective on life.
The box of books is long gone, left in an attic during a move, or a divorce or something.
You asked for an idea. He might never even open a book, I was not much of a reader until I got my box of interesting stuff either.
They don’t need batteries.
Not sure what the “cheap” mindstorms sets go for these days (last big set I checked was over 300 euros!), and though I would have killed for something like that when I was that age (which wasn’t around when I was 10 - 15), I absolutely loved the LEGO Technic line. Which is much more affordable, even when you want to give a pretty impressive - and technically quite intricate - set like this truck.
How about some Hexbugs?
You can find them in local stores now, too – I’ve seen them at Brookstone and some other places that escape me.
Straight Dope to the rescue.
Sorry. I just had to.
The Mindstorm thing is a great idea, except that his grandparents got him that last year. He’s really enjoyed them, are there an add-on type kits you can get to expand the Mindstorm abilities?
As for reading, he loves to read, but he has his own taste and I have trouble predicting what he’ll like. He is into fantasy fiction and spy novels at the moment.
Thanks for your suggestions, keep 'em coming!
I got my 12 year old:
ETA - just saw your post above mine - check out the Dresden Files
If he likes basketball, does he have a favorite team? If so, can you get a couple tickets to a game?
Heh. That paper guitar thing is pretty cool.
Speaking as a former clarinetist a box of reeds was ALWAYS a welcome gift 
I’m trying to remember what my kids were into at 13. They all liked sports. One of them was really big into reading about sports. The other two liked to read, but not particularly about sports. So, that’s 1/3 of a recommendation for books on sports.
Does he have an Amazon Wish List, by any chance? Those work really well for out of town relatives.
Oh, and that cool plane will need replacement batteries. Unless it comes with a rechargeable one.
If he’s into volleyball, get him volleyball shin guards/knee pads. They’ll make a world of difference!
I got the 9 year old on my list the paper drum set.
LEGO stuff will combine with any other LEGO stuff. But you may want to inquire what the kid would like if he’s already got some Mindstorm stuff, since some of the components are rather specific.
Personally, for fantasy, I’d recommend some of the books by Neil Gaiman - some of them might be too “adult” (and “stardust” IMHO is a “childish” fairy tale that works best for adults) but “Neverwhere” might be pretty interesting for teens.
ETA: “Neverwhere” does have some gore. It takes its readers fairly seriously.
A 14 year old girl?
Check out the Think Geek site. It’s full of stuff I would have wanted as a kid and some stuff I still want.
I suggested this in another thread as well: A subscription to Sports Illustrated. You may want give him more than that too, but he gets a magazine delivered to his house with his name on it, and the swimsuit issue, which is technically not porn, but it’s close.
Of course he’ll appreciate Musicat’s suggestion more, if you can arrange that.