Top Ten Non-Electronic Toys for Preteen Boys

There's no 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 systems. However, these gifts are just cool enough to convince them to give their controllers a break.

Magnetix 500 piece case with Wheels, $79.99. This popular building set comes with squares, curves, flexors, triangles, bars, extenders and connectors. The preteen boy on your list can build towers, shapes and even construct models for chemistry, physics and math. The wheels make the set easy to transport.

Vertical Vengeance Coaster by K'nex, $39.99. This kit helps your favorite pre-teen boy build a giant roller coaster over 5 feet high. There are 33+ feet of track in the set and instructions for two different roller coast models. When they are finished building, they can test out their track with 2 cars and a motorized chain lift. The sound module with coaster sounds and screams makes the experience exciting and fun.

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 of the motorcycles have realistic sounding motors that shake and rev with sound.

Moon Shoes, $29.99. These shoes are sure to get your favorite preteen moving and outside getting fresh air. These shoes turn feet into trampolines and let kids jump higher than ever thought possible. They also help improve 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.

Nerf Dart Tag Mag Strike, $29.99. Getting your preteen son outside isn't a challenge with this toy. This set includes everything you need for two people to play dart tag. The scoring vests make it easy to know when and where tags are mad, and the two dart tag blasters hold ten darts. There is even two pair of goggles for eye protection (so Mom can rest easy). The included instructional book has over 15 thrilling Dart Tag game variations that your son can try. And since it's recommended for ages 5-12, even little brothers and sisters can get in on the fun.

Riva Powderstick Snowboard/Snowsled, $24.99. The Riva Powderstick is a 2-in-1 toy that everyone in the family can enjoy. The 50" board can carry up to 250 pounds, and is usable as a snowboard or a two-person snowsled. It has two levels of cleats for all sizes on snowboard riders. The rear rope handles make sledding easy.

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

Professional Cartoonist Kit, $19.99. If your favorite preteen boy likes to draw, this kit is right up his alley. It includes instruction in creating cartoon strips, flipbooks and zoetrope stripes. There are pencils, paper, templates, tracing underlays and even an animation zoetrope. All of the equipment is easily packed up in a portable briefcase, so he can take it everywhere he goes.
Trivial Pursuit for Kids, $16.99. This edition of the popular game has questions written especially for kids. Get your preteen boy involved in a family game night with ease.

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