Get him his first gun.
How about a trip to Vail wuth snowboard lessons
+1 on the gun idea. I suggest a semi-auto .22 like the Ruger 10/22. Can target shoot with it, hunt, plink, all kinds of things. Or, maybe a pellet gun, if he has not had experience with firearms yet.
A trip to the shooting range?
"One Second After" by William R. Forstchen. Will definitely drive home the fact that the government can't be everywhere all the time (i.e., the government can't be Santa when it all collapses). And the novel will challenge him to ask himself, "What would I do, in situations like this?"
And just as entertaining and challenging for adults.
A firearm — .22 would probably be best if he has no experience with guns. Also if he no experience, a semi-auto is less of a good idea. A bolt action would teach him to make his shots count.
Rand for a sixteen year old? Been a while since you were 16, huh.
The gun is a better idea.
Get him a gun, or a bow and arrow, or a good rod and reel.
They want CASH.
I loved George Orwell’s Animal Farm and 1984.
A set of drums!
I like struggles list also recommend ‘killer angels’ about Gettysburg, Tolkien LOTR or hobbit (movie out in a few weeks). If you know the game types you could tie to what he enjoys more - Scifi, fantasy, historical fiction or just history, etc
A Bible, New King James
My Brother once told me that people give gifts that they them self would like to get.
Since then I have noticed it is often true especially with kids. For instance my Grand daughter gave me a really nice necklace for my birthday. Of course she was only six and probably thought I would like it since she would.
First stop worrying about the computer games.
Computer games develop math skills as the player must develop skills in sequential reasoning.
Reading the instructions is reading.
Kids will read a book if the book is interesting, problem for 16 year olds is most stuff is just not interesting.
Find a common interest between you and your grandson and buy that book, do not try and foist your interests on him - common interest is the key.
Teach him love him.......that is what is important.
“Chirstmas Present”
How about a couple of dictionaries.
One for each of you.
Oh, and another thing.
My husband bough a junker for our daughter when she was 15, and together they worked on it and fixed it up so by the time she was 17 and could drive she was a pro on basic auto repair.
That is an idea.
I suggest no books, if he does not read much now. Or possibly one or two of the Heinleins. Starship Troopers, suggested earlier, is a good read. Maybe “Between Two Planets”, as the kid in it is about 16, IIRC.
Holy crap, I forgot.
Want to REALLY show him human nature and make him think you’re some kind of rock star literary expert?
I read this when it was still Japanese only but it was profound and beautiful.