Sorry, to clarify: DS needs instructions. He can't organize himself without them. Legos don't work because once he's built the model once, he gets stuck & can't get unstuck without help.

I guess I'm thinking more like "Try building an XXXXX" or "there's this great kit for making a XXXX" One-offs, not so much open ended toys, he can't really manage those without me.

DS1: Hon, you already finished your homework
DS2: Quit it with the protesting already!