LEGO
LEGO Technic Heavy-Duty Excavator
A great starting point in the Technic line. It has working hydraulics and a rotating cab, and the build takes a solid afternoon. Kids who finish it end up understanding how gear ratios work, even if they don't realize they learned something.
See current price on AmazonHighlights
- Working hydraulic arm and a rotating cab, functional details rather than just static bricks
- Build takes a solid afternoon, a real project without being an overwhelming multi-day one
- Good next step for a tween who has outgrown basic LEGO City sets