Wanted: Broken small electronics for kid-friendly projects

andypern

I've come to the conclusion that my 9 y/o son likes 'toys' that he and I build more than those that are bought for him at the store. He's recently showed an interest in building small electric/electronic projects, and it gives me the opportunity to learn and have a little fun as well :P

In addition, I figure if he and I can fix something and make it usable again, it'd make for worthy donations to kids whose parents don't have the resources to buy them this kind of stuff.

Therefore, I'm posting this as a plea for any unwanted small electronic or electric equipment you may have lying around. The reason I say 'small', is because I'd be picking it up on my bike, and have a limit to what I can carry. I'm not picky in any way, some examples of what I could use:
[note: if its a broken piece of equipment, all the better, it'll give me a chance to try and fix it with my son, or teach him how to strip things for parts]

- walkman/discman/etc
- headphones (to fix and give away, or to steal wire or small speakers from)
- broken dvd players, vcrs, etc (can use the motors/servo mechanism's to make string elevators for lego-men :P)
- blown speakers (can use the magnets!!)
- cables/wire of any kind
- small computer related peripherals (eg: video , network, sound cards we can strip resistors/capacitors/etc off of)
- broken or unused cell phones and cell phone chargers

I'm not really interested in things like computer monitors, tv's, or appliances (they're a little too high powered and too large to carry).

also, if you know of a junk-pile (or garbage heap) where people like to toss this sort of thing, let me know so I can go raid it.

**Oh yea: I will pickup anywhere within 3 miles of prospect park, just let me know when a good time/day is and I'll make it work.