Present for 11 year old

meritaten

Wicked_witch wrote: »

Even a normal diabolo will be a disappointing present if he doesn't have someone who can already use one to teach him I'm afraid. It's not that easy to do.

You're a cool uncle though!

My Grandson bought himself a diabolo, and learned how to use it off Youtube - within weeks he could make it do many tricks and is much in demand to show off his tricks! he was 13 then.

it was just an ordinary diabolo - no fire involved!

365days

Not sure where you live or how tall he is but what about this?

http://www2.mercedes-benz.co.uk/content/unitedkingdom/mpc/mpc_unitedkingdom_website/en/home_mpc/mercedes-benzworld/home/driving_experiences/Driving_Experiences/Kids_Driving.html

Imp

365days wrote: »

Not sure where you live or how tall he is but what about this?

http://www2.mercedes-benz.co.uk/content/unitedkingdom/mpc/mpc_unitedkingdom_website/en/home_mpc/mercedes-benzworld/home/driving_experiences/Driving_Experiences/Kids_Driving.html

Love the idea of the driving lesson, but unfortunately they live in deepest darkest Wales.

My nephews are coming to visit me shortly after his birthday, so we can set him up with a diadolo. They will be perfectly good without fuel until he has learn a bit of control.

I had to help him with his present last year as his parents weren't too sure about it, but now he has an fm radio he built himself. How cool is that!

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3973005

meritaten

I never thought my grandson would master a diabolo - he doesn't have the greatest co-ordination - what he does have is singlemindedness and determination! he has Aspergers btw. I have seen him do his tricks and think he could do it professionally - but he says he does it for 'fun' and to 'relax'.

stiltwalker

Do you do diablo yourself? I ask as the fire ones do handle differently to the non fire versions and I would not say they are a good one to learn on, the balance is harder to find and they are a little more unpredictable. For a learner you would be better off with a good sized one with a reasonably wide diameter. I can do diablo (not expert as I was mainly a ball juggler as well as the obvious stiltwalking!) but my personal favourite was always a renegade but not getting anything on google for that. Maybe a LED diablo would be a good compromise for something that looks flash but is a little easier to learn on and less ......erm....... flammable for an 11 year old to be messing with.

Imp

Thanks for the replies. I'm going to phone his mum as I'm sure she mentioned that they already have a diabolo. Otherwise, the unicycles from Oddballs look interesting.

jenhug

Poi would be an interesting thing for him if you are thinking along those lines.

Savvy_Sue

meritaten wrote: »

My Grandson bought himself a diabolo, and learned how to use it off Youtube - within weeks he could make it do many tricks and is much in demand to show off his tricks! he was 13 then.

it was just an ordinary diabolo - no fire involved!

meritaten wrote: »

I never thought my grandson would master a diabolo - he doesn't have the greatest co-ordination - what he does have is singlemindedness and determination! he has Aspergers btw. I have seen him do his tricks and think he could do it professionally - but he says he does it for 'fun' and to 'relax'.

That's an example of when the child decides to get something and go with it, if Imp can build on his nephew's interests then he should be onto a winner.

BTW, what about a Raspberry Pi?

sooty&sweep

Hi

Personally as the mother of a 12 year old I wouldn't' thank you for buying him a fire Diablo as I wouldn't appreciate you putting my son or my house at risk !

Kids have so much these days so 've careful you don't buy something that ends up on the shelf.
I'd go with the suggestion of buying tickets & taking him to a footy match or something they're interested in.

Jen

browneyedbazzi

When my step son was 11/12 I arranged for him to go to a circus skills class where they taught basic juggling, diabolo, spinning plates, unicycle etc and he loved it...rather than just jumping in with a rather dangerous (for the inexperienced) toy, I'd take him to a class, see what he's good at/enjoys then for a future gift (or part 2 for him birthday) buy that.