For the price of the Lego kit, a better expenditure to "build with your kid" (or which the kid can build himself if he has the skills) would be a model rocket k

For the price of the Lego kit, a better expenditure to "build with your kid" (or which the kid can build himself if he has the skills) would be a model rocket kits. There are more than a few kits out there which can be easily built and launched safely - where the total equipment needed (if all purchased) would amount to something around what this Lego kit costs. And you get a real flying rocket in the end! If you want to spend a bit (or a lot) less, you can build flyable model rockets from literally trash: One local model rocket club here in the Phoenix area likes to display rockets made from Pringles cans (body, fins, and nosecone!). There is plenty of free and low-cost software out there to help with designing such rockets (and more than a few books). Lastly - if you want - you can even make your own engines from easily sourced materials (sugar rocket engines are easily made using powdered sugar and tree stump remover, for instance, stuffed/poured into paper tubes or PVC pipe). You can find plenty of information on the internet too about these designs. So - instead of building a non-flying pretend rocket - build a flying real one, strap a gopro to it, and launch!