To be honest I'd let him pick his own, you can always get an F4 as a present at a later date. Airfix do some nice starter sets and some snap together ones too which don't need painting. Its more important to keep his interest than push in in any one direction

Phil

I agree.let him pick his own.gets him involved in the process from the beginning

You might check HobbyBoss's line of 1/72nd scale kits. They have a whole line of very simple kits and Squadron puts a pile of them on sale almost every month.

I picked up a couple of Italeri 1/72nd wargaming line Sherman tanks for my nephews this Christmas. About ten parts a piece and spray them with olive drab spray paint and they're done!

By the way,there were two kit  reviews in the January FSM done by younger modelers

At 6 years old and on his first kit, I'd go with something simple. I know Revell does easy kits (pre-painted snap fit) that they sell at K-Mart and similar stores. They have a variety of kits types, but the Star Wars line is very highly detailed.

I've got a 9 yr old son and he began by building these a few years ago at th age of 6.

I second those who recommend snap-together kits.  And I like Rob's point about kits that have pre-finished bits.  There are other makers, too, that have similar offerings.  Your grandson will be able to dip his toes in with some assembly, and then he can play with the model after he puts it together.  That's the important bit, for kids.  They have to be able to play with it and expand their imaginations.  If they get interested in building, and stick with it, they will have plenty of time later to build something and put it on the shelf and look at it.  But we all remember taking things into the backyard and playing with them, as we got older and got more interested.

Cubrooski, that is so great that you're standing up to be a good role model for your grandson.  Kids need more people like you in their lives.

As for model kits, I guess I'll just jump on the bandwagon and say that snap-tites are the way to go.  They're quick and easy and probably the best fit for those short attention spans of a 6 year old.  I got my first kits back when I was 7 years old and they were all Revell/Monogram Snap-Tites.  That was 37 years ago and I have not stopped building model since then.

Best wishes!

Eric

Thank you everyone for advice and input! I'm gonna go with a snap-tite kit and let him pick it out. We don't have any decent hobby shops locally so I'll take him down to hobby lobby and see if there is something that peeks his interest. If not I'll look into ordering him something online.

I really like the sound of the 1/72 tanks because I play that game World of Tanks, but he also likes Star Wars as well. Who knows I'll let him pick and sit with him while he builds it and help him.

I got my first when I around 7 as well and I remember to this day it looked like a train wreck when I was done with it. It was the Red Barons bi-plane but it wasn't snap-tite.

Thank you all again, I'll let you know how it turns out and post some pics.

As someone who has worked with my grandkids starting at a similar age, I'd start with a snap kit. If he does well on that, progress to glued models after that.

I should also note that my son likes to play with his models; much like we did back in the day with the 79 cent kits! His Star Wars kits have gone through some battles that required repair. Hobby Lobby does sell some of the bigger star wars snap kits. That 40% off coupon helps there since they run about $20 before coupon. That X-Wing is from hobby lobby.

$20 is more than fair to see a smile on his lil face and see him play with them. I might go snatch him up this weekend and take him to the store and let pick one out.

How long did it take you build the star wars model with your son?

Not very long, maybe a half hour or so. I think this one had a small, pre-painted R2-D2 that he liked to play with. The figures are pre-painted and of a softer, rubber-like material. The kit itself is regular plastic and although it is a snap kit, putting s little shot of liquid cement along some of the seams is recommended to ensure a tight fit.

My son started with the Snap-Tite kits.  For Christmas he got his first "glue-and-paint" model.  He picked out the SR-71, which will be fun for him.  When we've gone to model shows, my son has enjoyed the armor....I think it's great, though I model WWII aircraft.  We each get to learn something.

If he shows an interest in WW2 aircraft, you may want to look at Pegasus Hobbies line of 1/48 aircraft. They are geared for the novice modeler and come with peel n stick stickers as well as water slide decals. If he shows any interest in anime stuff, there is also the extensive line of Gundam kits from Bandai. My son started got into those around age 9 and is still building them on occasion.

Thanks, Stick!  I could not for the life of me remember the name of the brand.

You're welcome sir.