Top Ten Non-Electronic Toys for Preteen Boys

Totally Gross: The Game of Science, $21.99. This game is fun, gross and informative (but you don't need to let him know that)! This sport combines fundamental principles of chemistry and biology with gross-out challenges, slime placeholders and easy experiments. Includes a game board, 110 question cards, 50 Gross-Out cards, 30 lab cards plus a jar of slime.

Vertical Vengeance Coaster by K'nex, $39.99. This kit assists your favorite pre-teen boy construct a giant roller coaster over 5 feet high. There are 33+ ft of track in the set and directions for two different roller coast models. When they're finished construction, they could test their monitor with two cars and a motorized chain lift. The audio module with coaster sounds and screams makes the experience exciting and enjoyable.

Moon Shoes, $29.99. These shoes are certain to get your beloved preteen moving and outside getting fresh air. These sneakers turn feet into trampolines and let children jump higher than ever thought possible. They aid in improving coordination and balance. Moon shoes are made of durable plastic and have adjustable straps non-skid soles. They fit up to a men's size 9.

Professional Cartoonist Kit, $19.99. If your treasured preteen boy likes to draw, then this kit is right up his alley. It features instruction in creating animation strips, flipbooks and zoetrope stripes. There are pencils, paper, templates, tracing underlays and even an animation zoetrope. All of the gear is readily packed up in a portable briefcase, so he can take it anywhere he goes.

Magnetix 500 piece situation with Wheels, $79.99. This popular building set comes with squares, curves, flexors, triangles, pubs, extenders and straps. The preteen boy on your list can build towers, shapes as well as construct models for chemistry, physics and mathematics. The wheels make the set simple to transfer.

Trivial Pursuit for Kids, $16.99. This edition of this popular game has questions written especially for kids. Get your preteen boy engaged in a family game night easily.

There is little doubt about it. Preteen boys are obsessed with video games. No matter how hard we parents try there is virtually no pulling them away with video game programs. However, these presents are only cool enough to convince them to give their controllers a break.

Riva Powderstick Snowboard/Snowsled, $24.99. The Riva Powderstick is a 2-in-1 toy which everybody in the family can enjoy. The 50" board may carry up to 250 lbs, and is useable as a snowboard or a two-person snowsled. It's two degrees of cleats for all sizes on snowboard riders. The rear rope handles make sledding easy.

Orange County Choppers Custom Bike Shop, $29.99. Fans of the show"American Chopper" will enjoy building all three miniature custom bikes included in this kit. All the bikes have realistic sounding motors that shake and rev with noise.

Eyewitness Kit: 19" Tyrannosaurus Rex Dinosaur Casting Kit, $12.99. What preteen boy does not like dinosaurs? This kit allows them to cast and paint 18 bone structures then assemble them to create a sizable T-Rex Skeleton. The instruction booklet includes interesting facts about T-Rex...so he'll be learning without even realizing it! The kit contains everything he'll need...casting material, paint, magnets, adhesive and mold.

Nerf Dart Tag Mag Strike, $29.99. Getting your preteen son outside is not a challenge with this toy. This collection includes all you will need for two people to perform dart tag. The scoring vests make it easy to know where and when tags are mad, and also the two dart label blasters hold ten darts. There's even two pair of goggles for eye protection (so Mom can break easy). The included instructional book has over 15 thrilling Dart Tag game variations your son can attempt. And since it's suggested for ages 5-12, even small sisters and brothers can get in on the fun.