Because I've been making small electronics projects my oldest is now interested in tinkering. He already has the Snap circuit set but now he just wants to able to make things on his own. He already does stuff with lego motors. He's learning a little coding and is interested in arduino having watched a few videos.

I just wanted to ask for opinions on project ideas, items and books that I could give him. On his tenth birthday I want to give him a box of bits he can tinker about with, right now no soldering but connectors and light strips etc. I also have a spare multimeter for him.

Appreciate your input.

 

Part of the thrill is deciding what you want to do as a kid tinker. Buy a few things sure but give him credits to get what he wants in that credit limit for those types of items.

 

Part of the thrill is deciding what you want to do as a kid tinker. Buy a few things sure but give him credits to get what he wants in that credit limit for those types of items.

Yeah he has birthday money but if I don't know what to get him, he's not going to know. He's bought a couple of bits in the past but they've never really hit the spot, I suppose he wants that learning aspect so he can transfer skills and not just build something from a box.

 

Yeah he has birthday money but if I don't know what to get him, he's not going to know. He's bought a couple of bits in the past but they've never really hit the spot, I suppose he wants that learning aspect so he can transfer skills and not just build something from a box.

Something like this is a good start. It has a tutorial to follow but the parts are general purpose and more can easily be purchased.

 

Yeah he has birthday money but if I don't know what to get him, he's not going to know. He's bought a couple of bits in the past but they've never really hit the spot, I suppose he wants that learning aspect so he can transfer skills and not just build something from a box.

Yes, let him spend the money with some guidance. He's needs to read and learn, to decide what to get.

My treasures were the things I took apart to see how they worked.

 

Yes, let him spend the money with some guidance. He's needs to read and learn, to decide what to get.

My treasures were the things I took apart to see how they worked.
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Oh that's an idea! Getting old stuff and letting take it apart!! Anything I should avoid (obviously a microwave haha!) Anything that's especially fun to take apart?

 

I bought one of those snap together kits for my grandson. He didn't want to start with the basic simple circuits and learn about them he wanted to build the biggest thing the kit had to offer. And when it wouldn't do what he expected it to do he lost interest. That was when he was 8 years old. He's 13 now and rarely plays with it. In part because some of the snap components have been damaged. They're great toys IF someone knowledgeable walks him through the small stuff. Given that my GS is on the scale his attention span is about as long as an 0201 resistor.

One thing I've long wanted to build but haven't taken the time is to build a "Useless Box" where you switch it on and a robot arm comes out and shuts itself off. It looks like fun. I've seen some with cats paws come out, some with microchip control where a monster pops up and peaks out, ducks down, pops up and shuts the box off. I've seen some pretty complex boxes as well. The thrill of building may surpass the desire to learn. But in the building - learning occurs as well.

When I was 7 I had a reel to reel tape recorder. Cheap toy intended for a child. Sure enough I broke it. So I took it apart and used the multi-function rotary switch, motor and battery holder, mounted an airplane propeller on the motor and figured WITHOUT HELP how to wire the rotary switch to be able to run the motor in one direction or the other. All on my own. Mounted it all on a styrofoam board and made an air boat. To look at it you'd never guess that was what it was supposed to be.

Since then I've taken an electronics course in high school but never took anything higher than the basics. I wish I did - but wishes and dreams are just reminders of missed opportunities.

Teach him to solder. Teach him that soldering irons are not pencils and you don't hold them down near the tip. I had no one to teach me that - and I learned quickly and with the aid of many repeat lessons.

Today none of us use snap together circuits. You ask for suggestions - that's my suggestion.

 

I bought one of those snap together kits for my grandson. He didn't want to start with the basic simple circuits and learn about them he wanted to build the biggest thing the kit had to offer. And when it wouldn't do what he expected it to do he lost interest. That was when he was 8 years old. He's 13 now and rarely plays with it. In part because some of the snap components have been damaged. They're great toys IF someone knowledgeable walks him through the small stuff. Given that my GS is on the scale his attention span is about as long as an 0201 resistor.

One thing I've long wanted to build but haven't taken the time is to build a "Useless Box" where you switch it on and a robot arm comes out and shuts itself off. It looks like fun. I've seen some with cats paws come out, some with microchip control where a monster pops up and peaks out, ducks down, pops up and shuts the box off. I've seen some pretty complex boxes as well. The thrill of building may surpass the desire to learn. But in the building - learning occurs as well.

When I was 7 I had a reel to reel tape recorder. Cheap toy intended for a child. Sure enough I broke it. So I took it apart and used the multi-function rotary switch, motor and battery holder, mounted an airplane propeller on the motor and figured WITHOUT HELP how to wire the rotary switch to be able to run the motor in one direction or the other. All on my own. Mounted it all on a styrofoam board and made an air boat. To look at it you'd never guess that was what it was supposed to be.

Since then I've taken an electronics course in high school but never took anything higher than the basics. I wish I did - but wishes and dreams are just reminders of missed opportunities.

Teach him to solder. Teach him that soldering irons are not pencils and you don't hold them down near the tip. I had no one to teach me that - and I learned quickly and with the aid of many repeat lessons.

Today none of us use snap together circuits. You ask for suggestions - that's my suggestion.

Hi Tony and thanks. I too had to learn that solders aren't pencils the hard way haha! Yes had the same issue with snap circuits, he loved his but very quickly grew bored, now I've got a ton of the stuff gathering dust.

I'll look into a useless box, he might have fun with that.

Appreciate your input and loved reading your comment.

 

If the kid has the knack then not much needs to be done to make and keep them interested. If they don't have it, it's chore that soon becomes boring.

 

If the kid has the knack then not much needs to be done to make and keep them interested. If they don't have it, it's chore that soon becomes boring.

A bit of both lol! Like most kids.

 

A bit of both lol! Like most kids.

There are a select few born with the engineering brain. I was and one of my kids has that type of brain. I've been prepping her for engineering since the first time I looked into those, I want to know how eyes.

Put the penny through the hole.

Won't fall through.


Now the trick.

Folding space.

Older now but with the same eyes and brain.

 

Bless. How wonderful. Well his dad wanted to be an engineer. I wouldn't say I have an engineer's brain but I think outside the box a lot. For example years ago at school we were given the challenge to build the fastest car, my friend built the fastest car but at the last 10 seconds of the competition I whacked a second engine on the front wheels of my car and won. The teacher said I cheated but I pointed out there was nothing that prevented me using a second engine so he conceded and gave me first place and my friend "first place technical winner" which I felt was fair. The other day I saw a challenge of move a sandcastle from Pillar A to Pillar B. My first thought was swap the stickers. My oldest son has his struggles but his has a brilliant brain, I just encourage him to use it in various avenues. I'll get him bits to tinker with and leave him to it. I motivate him when he's flagging but he's very good at doing things himself.