Not another Space book, please
November 16, 2011 12:38 PM Subscribe
My 6-year old nephew is currently obsessed with space travel. Having nerdy parents & grandparents, he already owns two supersized model rockets, and a whole shelf of books about the Moon, planets, and space in general. With Christmas approaching, I'd like to give him something different-but-related. Ideas?
Even though I found some really amazing books on Amazon that I think he would like, I somehow do not feel like giving him yet another one.
I'd thought about some cool maps of the sky but his room is tiny so there'd be nowhere to display them.
Thanks in advance!
Even though I found some really amazing books on Amazon that I think he would like, I somehow do not feel like giving him yet another one.
I'd thought about some cool maps of the sky but his room is tiny so there'd be nowhere to display them.
Thanks in advance!
Seconding telescope, thats a perfect idea!
posted by amazingstill at 12:43 PM on November 16, 2011
posted by amazingstill at 12:43 PM on November 16, 2011
One of those lights that projects the night sky onto his bedroom ceiling. But yeah, a telescope is the best idea.
posted by desjardins at 12:43 PM on November 16, 2011
posted by desjardins at 12:43 PM on November 16, 2011
Best answer: trip to a nearby planetarium? also, i was around that age when my dad and i started launching model rockets and making the neighbors hate us forever.
posted by elizardbits at 12:45 PM on November 16, 2011
posted by elizardbits at 12:45 PM on November 16, 2011
Same as above, telescope and star projectors! And if he lives in a city with too much light in the night sky part of your present can be a trip to somewhere really dark in the country!
posted by mareli at 12:45 PM on November 16, 2011
posted by mareli at 12:45 PM on November 16, 2011
A shirt, map, poster or something else awesome from this store?
posted by charmedimsure at 12:51 PM on November 16, 2011
posted by charmedimsure at 12:51 PM on November 16, 2011
Something from the new LEGO Space Line, such as a Space Shuttle?
posted by JDC8 at 12:52 PM on November 16, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by JDC8 at 12:52 PM on November 16, 2011 [2 favorites]
Taking him to a star party somewhere dark might not be a physical gift, but it will be something he'll talk about for a long time.
posted by rockindata at 12:53 PM on November 16, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by rockindata at 12:53 PM on November 16, 2011 [1 favorite]
The Smithsonian's Air & Space museums sell a battery-powered Remoste Control Space Shuttle.
posted by easily confused at 1:01 PM on November 16, 2011
posted by easily confused at 1:01 PM on November 16, 2011
ALSO the leonid meteor shower peaks tomorrow night, which unfortunately does not coincide with a new moon but is nevertheless still awesome.
posted by elizardbits at 1:02 PM on November 16, 2011
posted by elizardbits at 1:02 PM on November 16, 2011
Best answer: Seconding elizardbits, planetarium is great if you have access to one. For telescopes, I recommend:
http://www.celestron.com/c3/product.php?ProdID=568
It costs about $50, is appropriate for young ones - and old ones too (I bought one for myself, and I'm 44!)
posted by scolbath at 1:03 PM on November 16, 2011
http://www.celestron.com/c3/product.php?ProdID=568
It costs about $50, is appropriate for young ones - and old ones too (I bought one for myself, and I'm 44!)
posted by scolbath at 1:03 PM on November 16, 2011
If he doesn't yet have it, my son loved his Moon in my Room at that age.
He might be a little young for a telescope, though if you or his parents use it with him he'll be fine. Even a pretty cheap telescope (all you should get at that age) will be great for looking at the moon, Jupiter and Saturn. (Mars and Venus are kind of boring)
I know you said no books, but if he doesn't already have this one by H.A. Rey, the Curious George guy, he should.
Astronaut Ice Cream or other space food might be a nice stocking stuffer.
posted by bondcliff at 1:06 PM on November 16, 2011 [1 favorite]
He might be a little young for a telescope, though if you or his parents use it with him he'll be fine. Even a pretty cheap telescope (all you should get at that age) will be great for looking at the moon, Jupiter and Saturn. (Mars and Venus are kind of boring)
I know you said no books, but if he doesn't already have this one by H.A. Rey, the Curious George guy, he should.
Astronaut Ice Cream or other space food might be a nice stocking stuffer.
posted by bondcliff at 1:06 PM on November 16, 2011 [1 favorite]
Moon globe or Mars globe? I had a moon globe when I was a kid and liked looking at it; having it in globe form is a big difference from seeing it in a book.
(The site I linked to seems very expensive; don't take my links as price guides, but as example products)
posted by AzraelBrown at 1:21 PM on November 16, 2011
(The site I linked to seems very expensive; don't take my links as price guides, but as example products)
posted by AzraelBrown at 1:21 PM on November 16, 2011
Response by poster: Wow, I keep typing and re-typing my thanks and the great answers keep coming!
Thank you, these are very helpful... and of course more tips are still welcome!
BTW, I had no idea there were kiddie telescopes this cheap, I had actually considered getting him a pair of quality binoculars but wasn't sure I could afford it (my Grandma requested one last year and it cost around 130 bucks* in the specialty store).
* or rather the equivalent of, we are not in the US.
Glad to get a link to a DVD, I was thinking about buying one but the choice is overwhelming :)
I am not sure how to word this question but, is this specific title kid-friendly? Cause he's a pretty anxious kid (covering his eyes during Finding Nemo, and [parts of] most kid movies) and we still haven't really talked about space disasters...
posted by M. at 1:36 PM on November 16, 2011
Thank you, these are very helpful... and of course more tips are still welcome!
BTW, I had no idea there were kiddie telescopes this cheap, I had actually considered getting him a pair of quality binoculars but wasn't sure I could afford it (my Grandma requested one last year and it cost around 130 bucks* in the specialty store).
* or rather the equivalent of, we are not in the US.
Glad to get a link to a DVD, I was thinking about buying one but the choice is overwhelming :)
I am not sure how to word this question but, is this specific title kid-friendly? Cause he's a pretty anxious kid (covering his eyes during Finding Nemo, and [parts of] most kid movies) and we still haven't really talked about space disasters...
posted by M. at 1:36 PM on November 16, 2011
Best answer: I love the telescope idea, and treasured mine, but that's very much a gift that requires the whole family to go out and use it. I got frustrated because my parents were apathetic about helping me get my finder scope adjusted. So I mostly spent an hour trying to find the moon on cold nights that got dark before my bedtime. Also, I did a lot of looking at a telephone pole trying to adjust my scope. If the nerdy parents are also looking to become telescope enthusiasts, I say go for it. Otherwise...
I don't really think you can go wrong with space, but I would shoot for something that could be used by one's six year old self, or in combination with other kids who aren't space nuts without requiring the night sky or being limited to a one-time installation.
When I was six, I likely would have worn a space suit to school if someone had given me one. A quick search, with very limited Google-fu, reveals sub $30 space suits and similarly priced boots, backpacks, helmets, etc.
posted by Dromio_of_Columbus at 1:47 PM on November 16, 2011
I don't really think you can go wrong with space, but I would shoot for something that could be used by one's six year old self, or in combination with other kids who aren't space nuts without requiring the night sky or being limited to a one-time installation.
When I was six, I likely would have worn a space suit to school if someone had given me one. A quick search, with very limited Google-fu, reveals sub $30 space suits and similarly priced boots, backpacks, helmets, etc.
posted by Dromio_of_Columbus at 1:47 PM on November 16, 2011
Yeah, alas, a decent telescope is actually going to be hard for a 6-year-old to use. Alignment is tough: you need a clear horizon and a dark-ish sky, etc. Planetarium software, though, oooooh very fun. I use Celestia (mac) and it's kind of fantastic. Of course planetarium software makes me really want to have a telescope again, so, hmm.
posted by zomg at 2:17 PM on November 16, 2011
posted by zomg at 2:17 PM on November 16, 2011
It's trickier since you're not in the US, but can you start a special present fund to send him to Space Camp in a few years? The earliest you can go is 4th grade, and currently it costs about $900 for a week. I'm sure that travel expenses would add to that significantly... but... SPACE CAMP! And you have a few years to add to the fund (maybe with other family members as well).
posted by charmcityblues at 2:43 PM on November 16, 2011
posted by charmcityblues at 2:43 PM on November 16, 2011
As somebody who occasionally makes his telescope available to kids at small-scale star party events, I agree that six is a little young to go with the telescope. However, his enthusiasm might make it work if it is paired with an adult's ongoing guidance. Can you be that adult - give him a series of monthly observing dates along with the scope? Or do you know that one of his parents can? If so, that Celestron is a pretty good deal.
If not, something else. My 7-year-old is not space-crazy, but he loves playing around in Celestia*. He'd also LOVE an astronaut suit - we visited Air & Space this summer and he was begging for one. So those are both great ideas.
* IMHO, one problem with Celestia and Hubble imagery is that they make it harder to pick up the telescope later on, because nothing looks anywhere near as good through an earthbound scope. To understand this, compare these simulated views of Saturn - which are rather better than what I typically see - with the Celestia experience of Saturn.
posted by richyoung at 2:45 PM on November 16, 2011
If not, something else. My 7-year-old is not space-crazy, but he loves playing around in Celestia*. He'd also LOVE an astronaut suit - we visited Air & Space this summer and he was begging for one. So those are both great ideas.
* IMHO, one problem with Celestia and Hubble imagery is that they make it harder to pick up the telescope later on, because nothing looks anywhere near as good through an earthbound scope. To understand this, compare these simulated views of Saturn - which are rather better than what I typically see - with the Celestia experience of Saturn.
posted by richyoung at 2:45 PM on November 16, 2011
This requires help but how about cardboard spaceship plans and a box of rivets
posted by biscuits at 2:48 PM on November 16, 2011
posted by biscuits at 2:48 PM on November 16, 2011
My daughter loved her Moon in My Room too. The CD that comes with it was soothing - we've since misplaced it, though. And I still love Freeze-Dried Ice Cream.
You can also name a star after him. As an adult, I'd be skeptical - but at that age, with a certificate and everything?! And you can even request the constellation so he can look for it? Cool beans and bragging rights for thirty bucks, which at six, is social currency on the playground.
posted by peagood at 4:56 PM on November 16, 2011
You can also name a star after him. As an adult, I'd be skeptical - but at that age, with a certificate and everything?! And you can even request the constellation so he can look for it? Cool beans and bragging rights for thirty bucks, which at six, is social currency on the playground.
posted by peagood at 4:56 PM on November 16, 2011
Space:1999 both is and is not kid-friendly. I was mesmerized by it between the ages of, 7 and 8. I remember being very scared by more than one of the episodes because it is scary, however, that didn't stop me watching it. Most of it was over my head, but it was the atmosphere of wonder and enigma that drew me in.
I also got kind of emotional during Finding Nemo, and I was in my thirties at the time.
posted by tel3path at 5:03 PM on November 16, 2011
I also got kind of emotional during Finding Nemo, and I was in my thirties at the time.
posted by tel3path at 5:03 PM on November 16, 2011
How about a Planetary Society membership? Featuring Bill Nye!
posted by postel's law at 7:19 PM on November 16, 2011
posted by postel's law at 7:19 PM on November 16, 2011
Get him a small globe of the moon (like this or this), 3 or 4 inches in diameter. If he's got a standard 12 inch (Earth) globe at home, he can put the moon 30 feet from it and have a scale model of the Earth-Moon system to fly his rockets around in. If he's that kind of 6 year old. (I'm sure this works in metric, too.)
posted by drdanger at 8:23 PM on November 16, 2011
posted by drdanger at 8:23 PM on November 16, 2011
Forgot to answer this one earlier, but I'd definitely second getting an elaborate Lego set. It's something he can really throw himself into, and because you can keep making different things, it has immense replay value (even if they're not as simple as they used to be). It also gets him interested in more creative/technical aspects, rather than just astronomy.
The name a star thing might be cool, but I'm not sure it'd have much of a lasting effect.
posted by TheSecretDecoderRing at 7:34 AM on November 19, 2011
The name a star thing might be cool, but I'm not sure it'd have much of a lasting effect.
posted by TheSecretDecoderRing at 7:34 AM on November 19, 2011
Response by poster: Again, thank you very much! The grandparents will be getting him a big Lego set (Lego Space Station, as it is), and I will be most likely buying a kiddie telescope. And now we also have ideas for his (soon) upcoming birthday as well :)
posted by M. at 12:37 PM on November 22, 2011
posted by M. at 12:37 PM on November 22, 2011
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posted by Sassyfras at 12:40 PM on November 16, 2011 [2 favorites]