Help! Teen boys

[mmccarty]

Last year my 12 year old got an antique 7.5 HP Johnson outboard motor to restore and a set of plans to build a small wooden boat.  The 15 year old got an oxy-actylene aircraft torch and accessories.  He's been using it to build a go-kart with twin front suspension and rear swing axle from thinwall 4130.   Both those are still projects in progress.

This year I got the 12 year old a nice pocket knife and had it engraved "For Cal From Dad".  The 15 year old has been working hard to earn money to buy himself an Ipod, so I figured I'd give him a gift certificate to help him out and another gift certificate for Itunes.

[Rev-It-Up]

My son just bought Wii system right before Thanksgiving.  I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a system to buy for their kids.  It is a blast and you can really get a work out by playing. It's definately not a "sit on the couch and move your thumbs around" kind of game.  It's a get off your butt and play tennis" kind of game.  With any system, there are games to watch out for that are not appropriate for a particular age, but there are a lot of other games that are not as violent/mature to choose from. 

Or, how about music?  Do they like to play?  Guitar, drums?  Or, maybe a concert is coming up they can get tickets to?  CD's

I must admit, my 20 year old son is the hardest to buy for...always has been.  You have to get real creative for the guys.

[Jacksboys]

If all else fails, give him some money, that always made me happy.

[A383Cuda]

A couple of these are as close as your local Schwinn dealer.

[71340RT]

My 13 year old son turns 14 this wed. and he has wanted a lap top computer for over a year now. He loves computers and knows the inside of mine as well as the outside. I have decided to buy him a lower end model for around $400.00 as I can't see spending over a $1,000 for one. Find out what there interests are and go from there when buying something for them.

[Andrew]

Get him a guitar, and maybe some lessons.

I got a guitar for my 15th birthday, And I still havnt gotten bored with it (1 1/2 years later).
Of course you have to remember that one guitar quickly becomes two... then three and so-on until you end up with a room full of guitars (I know several people like that - and its not a healthy habit to get into)

[R/T hedkace]

a Guitar  its great discipline
Between my father and I we have a collection of about 32 giutars, and basses 
There ain't nothing unheathy about that 
Good luck 

[EVIL72]

 What about R/C Cars, either gas or electric. My 17 year old son has a bunch of them.
 If the inlaws do decide to get one, go to a hobbie store and talk to the guys there on what would be best, don't just go to Toy's R' Us and grab one, those are junk.
 Personally I'd recommend the electric ones. The gas powered ones are kinda loud and more problematic.
 They sell all kinds of trick parts including motors, rims tires etc so they can trick them out all they want.
 My son has one of these mini's, it's 4wd, electric and it's a fun little truck. http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_info.php/cPath/44_109/products_id/2481
 If they both get one make sure there on different frequencies so they can drive them at the same time. I think it says on the side of the box....?
 

[TreeFrog]

a good used guitar is good too.  They have a lil milage, the sound only gets better with play, and good lessons...not bad if he will go for it...hey then he can get all the chicks he wants

Get him a guitar, and maybe some lessons.

I got a guitar for my 15th birthday, And I still havnt gotten bored with it (1 1/2 years later).
Of course you have to remember that one guitar quickly becomes two... then three and so-on until you end up with a room full of guitars (I know several people like that - and its not a healthy habit to get into)

[Rev-It-Up]

How about martial arts lessons?  We gave those to my son a while back and he really enjoyed them.  Took him 2 years, but he finally earned his black belt.

[Jonnyscotti]

^ Marital arts is a very unique idea.

And I would have never thought about a guitar!

[DodgeFreak]

i'm into nascar so i've got kasey kahne stuff and what not ....i enjoy collecting dodge hats also..ummm anthing with cars i like.. what i want for christmas this year i wouldn't mind a rebuild kit for a 318 or 440 lol...my parents got me a rebuild kit for my 4 wheeler one year.  then i blew it up 4 months later...    i'm not into computers and what not...i like to work on cars just depends on what the kids are into. 

[dougs bs23]

Paul Reed Smith makes great guitars

[MJS73]

The 15 year old has a PS2 but they are trying to deter him from the game systems because he's bringing home games that they do not approve of (they're very religious).

There's a bible game (it's called The Bible Game) for the PS2.  My 8-year-old has it.

Mike

[whitesatinmopar]

Drums were mentioned, I don't beleive "she" would make that suggestion, my one boy got a set of drums (not the real good ones) one year for Christmas from his Uncle, oh god what noise, I gave him a pen knife and asked him if he knew what was inside them things