Suggestions on getting nephew who likes tinkering and computers?

missjanaya

I have a 8 year old nephew. I'd like to be able to suggest websites or activities for him to get into that might help him get more out of his time spent tinkering with computers and electronics. I was thinking once in HS he may be interested in doing the A+. Any suggestions prior to that? It also may keep him busy.

cowill

in high school?? The way these kids are going today, they may have their A+ coming out of elementary school...just by pass high school altogether and jump right into IT.....LOL.......These kids are a lot more technically inclined then we were coming up

Anyways, I dont have much to contribute......I just took notice of the thread cause I got a few coming up under me that are showing potential.....I might need to know something in the future....

cyberguypr

Does he have any interest in hand-on stuff? I was thinking something along the lines of a Kano or other Raspberry Pi projects. Kids seem to love those.

jaywalker

+1 for Raspberry Pi. I think http://www.eeme.co/ would be perfect for him.

ajs1976

http://code.org/

NetworkNewb

One of these would be pretty cool. Don't believe you just buy them quit yet though

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/plumgeek/ringo-the-palm-size-robot-with-real-personality

TheFORCE

missjanaya wrote: »

I have a 8 year old nephew. I'd like to be able to suggest websites or activities for him to get into that might help him get more out of his time spent tinkering with computers and electronics. I was thinking once in HS he may be interested in doing the A+. Any suggestions prior to that? It also may keep him busy.

Personally and in my honest opinion even though your gesture seems nice, the kid has to has to be inclined towards IT for you to give directions. And even if he is, i think 8 years old is too early for a kid to be sitting inside. Let the kid be active and let him play with other kids his age. At 14-15 it's a different story, they are more mature and understand things better.

NetworkingStudent

I would start with tech TV shows:
Battle Bots:
http://abc.go.com/shows/battlebots

Also, I suggest Lake Shore Learning, because they have a lot learning toys, activities, books..ect...
LakeshoreLearning.com - School Supplies and Teacher Store - Educational Materials for Preschools, Elementary Classrooms & More

Take him to a Children's Museum

List of children's museums in the United States
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_children%27s_museums_in_the_United_States

tpatt100

I would just point him towards the Pi, some sites and maybe a book and leave him alone. I know when I was growing up my dad tried "suggesting" I study computers and being a know it all I resisted because he suggested it.

cyberguypr

+1 on museums. I took the family to the Museum of Science and Industry a couple of weekends ago. There was a robotics exhibit. Let's just say we all got hooked and are researching robots now and planning to get one to tinker with.