Lego Help Wanted

[katydid1971]

My parents are taking DS to the Lego store this weekend. He has recently become a Lego maniac and is very much looking forward to the trip. I am going to have them pick up a couple brick separators and baseplates. They want to get him a good basic set and I was looking at two, this one http://shop.lego.com/product/?p=6177&LangId=2057&ShipTo=US and this one http://shop.lego.com/product/?p=6166&LangId=2057&ShipTo=US The first set has lots of bricks but nothing else the second set has more other pieces IFYWIM. FWIW DS already has these sets http://shop.lego.com/Product/?p=5899 , http://shop.lego.com/product/?p=5898&LangId=2057&ShipTo=US , http://shop.lego.com/Product/?p=6192 and the pirate brickmaster book (his favorite so far) http://www.amazon.com/LEGO-Brickmaster-Pirates-Lego/dp/0756655196/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1282678402&sr=8-1
The lego directions on the Family Fun website are for the Builder's of Tomorrow set. Any other set recommendation would be so appreciated.
Thanks so much!!!!

[alien_host]

I think both of the sets you picked are great for basic bricks, never can have enough of those!

Personally, at the moment, the Series 2 Minifigures are really "hot". For $1.99 you get a mystery figure...could be a surfer, karate master, female life guard or more. This is what they look like: http://lego.wikia.com/wiki/8684_Minifigures_Series_2 and they come in a sealed blue bag.

My DD LOVES the minifigures (any of them) the best.

If they spend $50, you can get a 3-pack, "build your own minifigure" from the "bar" there for $4.99 (regularly $9.99). You pick legs, torso, head, hat OR hair and an accessory and get a fun carrying case. There is a coupon on the August calendar, just ask an associate about it. They didn't require the coupon when I went Monday. My DD is the same age as your DS and she loves to do this and I rarely do unless it is on sale b/c IMO $10 is a lot for it but for $5, it is worth it.

They also have a Pick-A-Brick wall where you can fill a small cup for $7.99 or a larger one for $14.99. Could be a fun activity with the grandparents....put a lot of small pieces in the bottom and "sprinkle" them over the top to fill the empty spaces.

Sometimes the store will have a "grab bag" of random bricks for $8.99....a good deal IMO if you don't have a ton of bricks...you may get some unusual stuff. We got 5 complete minifigures the last time we got a grab bag.

If you/he likes to build houses/buidlings the window/door set is nice http://shop.lego.com/ByTheme/Product.aspx?p=6117&cn=306

Can you tell I spend a lot of time at the Lego store (and lots of money!).