Hello all,

My son will be 8 in a month and Im looking for Ideas for birthday gifts. Wife has already said no to knives or anything dangerous. He already has tent,sleeping bag,explorer watch.. Any Ideas for some cool stuff?

He must be pretty docile- I was dangerous with a paper cup of water back then.

Nalgene bottle. I still think they are cool.
Decent LED flashlight, like the Gerber Infinity.
Compass.
An age appropriate field guide to animal tracks, astronomy or weather.
A copy of "My Side of the Mountain" or "Space Cadet".

Is fire dangerous by the definition in use? If not, I'm still amused by a cheap mag firestarter and a broken hacksaw blade. :P

Coming up on school vacation- have you any time off? A plan for an ultra-lite camping trip. Everyone's pack, less water, has to be under 5 pounds and a cubic foot. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

• 2-Way FRS Radios
• Nice Compass
• Small LED flashlight (start his addiction early!) - careful to explain about looking directly in the light.
• Book or video on Knots and several varieties of rope
• Basic toolset in a metal toolbox (depending on how "dangerous" your wife is willing to do) - pliers, hammer, drivers, level, etc.
• Camelbak Mini M.U.L.E (kid size) - load it with a couple carabiners, poncho, spare socks, whistle, flashlight, etc.
• Compact fishing kit
• Pocket shovel and folding saw (again, if it meets wife's criteria)
• Hiking boots
• Emergency kit (fishing gear, blanket, whistle, light, ferro rod)
• Hiking sticks
• Time with you learning how to use any of the above.

How about a pair of binoculars.

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Victorinox Bladeless Knife

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Looks like an attempt to outthink the TSA, but not a bad idea.

I also recall seeing, years ago, a rounded tipped SAK, I think it was from Vic but I could be wrong. It was built on the 91mm frame, and blade was like a diner knife without serrations. Sounds like it would be a supervision required item, but that might be managable.

I 2nd the pair of binoculars.

Yeah, wish I had thought of that one too! <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> I third that vote.

I thought of including a hand-sized digital camera or video/still combo that's not going to be a drastic loss if it's broken or lost. I just wasn't sure about the cost ceiling.

Telescopes, GPS, and other fun outdoor gadgets that get kids excited about the outdoors come to mind as well.

Ironraven

It is called My 1st Victorinox.

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I taught my daughter to shoot when she was 8, but it sounds like the wife might veto that (you really from TX?) I'd have to go with the flashlight/binocular suggestions already given. Those would have been great gifts for me at 8, and now for that matter!