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I am in the process of starting a 'model club' within my cubscout pack, and we do at least one model group build as an event per scouting year. I am encouraging the kids (and their parents) to examine the joy of building models, and all it entails...historical research, learning about their subject as they build, developing the fine motor skills, etc. Usually, we try the kit subject together with another event, or something local. For example, last year, we built snap kits of the A-10 Warthog, because the PA air National Guard flew out of a former airbase that was shut down years before any of the kids were born (look for a shot of us in an upcoming issue of the magazine!); this year, we will be building Revell 1/72 pirate ships to tie into our scheduled overnight on the Battleship New Jersey. Some of the older scouts could probably handle glue kits, but we keep it at snap kits so that we are all building together, and the younger kids can learn things from the older kids. My own son (he just turned 11) started doing a few of the simpler glue kits from my stash, and, while definitely not "museum quality", they are wonderful little assemblies, and with each one, he tries to make the next one even better! He is learning to enjoy the quiet time (add and all that does make it tough for him) and to slow down and enjoy the build! keep it up, and get your son some more 1/72 kits from hobby lobby with those coupons they offer!
"...failure to do anything because someone else can do better makes us rather dull and lazy..."
Mortal as I am,I know that I am born for a day. But when I follow at my pleasure the serried multitude of the stars in their circular course, my feet no longer touch the Earth...
John 3:16 KJVI personally think it’s fine to start off kids with the cheaper kits that aren’t the snap kind. When I got into the hobby, I kinda just jumped right in...
Yeah, my first kit was the old Pyro Model T. Pretty simple kit. I was 5. I used Duco Household Cement to glue it together.
The key is to step back and let him do it. If he asks for help, give it, but otherwise, let him do it himself. He'll enjoy it the most that way.
The bigger the government, the smaller the citizen.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” - John 3:16-17
I think that's great. Tamiya sold a whole series of those 1/72 "Warbird" kits. IIRC they cost around $ 15 which isn't exactly cheap, but not bad.
Modeling is an excuse to buy books.
It's been my experience that grandfathers have a tendency of buying stuff for grandsons way before they are ready for it.
It sounds like this one turned out in a good way, though! You make an interesting point of the lack of fit/frustration problems.
Your boy is lucky to have a grandad in the hobby, and you a dad. Pretty neat.
On a visit to the grandparents, Gramps gave my eight year old a Tamiya 1.72 Skyray out of his stash to build (you know how kids do!). I kinda looked sideways at it, but figured I'd see what happened with it since he likes building, and he's willing to go without supervision. I even gave him my Tamiya fast setting thin glue to use. He is doing really well with it; better than snap tite or cheaper models. This may be the route I'll continue to go with him. Yeah, it's an unpainted glue bomb, but he's enjoying the build a lot more due to the lack of fit problems. I'm not saying give them a 1.48 Tomcat, but there's a lot of subjects they can do that are quality without breaking your bank. This is his second Tamiya kit, as we just finished the old Panther kit they have (we worked together a lot on that one). Worth considering, y'all.
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