HELP - Son going into hospital - Lego or Tamiya R/C car

[Mark B]

Ladies and Gents, I wonder if you could share your thoughts. My son is going into hospital for a relatively routine op but will be in for 5 days. My mind has moved to the Caterham Lego kit, Lego Technic LMP car or even a Tamiya R/C car, such as a Hornet or Grasshopper.

My son has done the big Lego kits in the past such as the F1 car, red supercar, etc so he does like tricky kits, but I am thinking at 14 he may prefer a remote control car and then get the radio gear as a Christmas present.

What I am keen to know is, how long do the Lego or Tamiya kits take to construct and is the modern cheap Tamiya tricky enough to keep him entertained..??

Any advice, suggestions or ideas greatly received.

[grumbledoak]

Where are you proposing he plays with the R/C car? In the ward?


Get him the Lego.

[Mark B]

I'm not proposing he plays with anything. It's the build I am hoping will entertain him whilst bed bound.

[grumbledoak]

[sorrento205]

For info the Lego technic 911 took approx 10 hours dedicated build time

[shortar53]

I built a tamiya m-05 (fiat 500, now in a retro mini body shell) in an afternoon with no experience. It's an entertaining build but not necessarily 'fun', and some disassembly may be required to retrofit the RC gear.
Long term the tamiya will be way more fun, but I suspect the Lego build will be more fun

[Rumblestripe]

You might not be able to use glue in the ward.

Lego

[Murph7355]

How old is he and what's he in for?

My inclination is Lego...

(I went into hospital over Christmas when I was about 5 or 6 and was in traction for much of it and with a cage over my legs for much of the rest...my folks bought me a Scalextric. And now they wonder why my evil sense of humour comes from. bds).

[Mark B]

He's 14 having an op on a kidney, hence he'll be bed bound for 5 days. Just thinking of something to enjoy whilst in bed.

[Murph7355]

Mark B said:

He's 14 having an op on a kidney, hence he'll be bed bound for 5 days. Just thinking of something to enjoy whilst in bed.

Technical Lego IMO...I'd go for a bigger set than the Caterham though (assuming not cost prohibitive).

Best wishes to your boy. My 4yr old had an op yesterday (nothing that hefty). Never been so frightened.

[C0ffin D0dger]

I remember getting PacMan for my Atari VCS when I came out of hospital after a routine op. Luckily I was only in for an overnight stay.

I'd echo what other have said, Lego or similar is probably a better bet. When he gets out of hospital the Tamiya kit may be a great Christmas present though, I think I got my Frog around that age for Christmas and pretty much put it together on Boxing Day. Probably could have done with a bit more supervision as I remember over tightening a body post in the chassis and it breaking off, got a bit upset / pissed off about that as a typical teenager. Must have been a bit heavy handed back in the day. Having completed it I then decide to give it a little try indoors only to crash into the fireplace and break a suspension arm

[Foliage]

I spent months in hospital at the age of 8-10 in the 80s, did you know hospitals have schools. Spend as much time with him as you can, sack work off, spend time with your kid, boardgames etc are a good shoot (fluxx, star realms, love letter, sushi go, roll for it, coup, masquerade etc or other micro/mini/pocket size games, the new era of games, not the old rubbish) and a cheap tablet I suppose these days. Cant remember what toys I had if any, I do remember getting some lego when I was discharged and still not being about to go to school. Its probably why my grammar is so atrocious.

[Vitorio]

Can the kid sit up straight while in there?

Either way, out of the options you mention, id get him the Technic LMP car, plus bring his box of spares etc for him to dick around modifying it.

Or perhaps if he wont be sitting up straight easily, consider something like a handheld gaming device, a 2DS + Mario Kart is €99 over here, throw in Ocarina of Time and the hours will fly by.

[Collectingbrass]

If you can, talk to the person in charge of the ward before he comes in. If they have young kids they may not want him bringing small parts in, though personally I think its a brilliant idea.

I would also get a cheap MP3 player or tablet and get a load of audio books. He probably won't want to do or look at much while he is in the early stages of recovery but the audio will keep him occupied.

[Mark B]

Thanks all, some great comments and thoughts. Didn't mean for thread to be a heart strings puller but appreciate it. He has an iPad with Netflix, I just fancied something we could do together. I spend plenty of time modifying the Elise which he helps out with, so I think the rc car maybe to easy and quickly completed. LMP lego looks to be ideal.

Thanks all, once again.