Need Ideas - Projects for Kids

No point me re-typing all the stuff you can find here, so just click & browse. Have fun!

http://www.sciencemuseumshop.co.uk/

Not a home project but my son (14) helped me commission a 2.6MW induction furnace during his Christmas break.

Beforehand he'd been interested in PC's, then I got him interested in PLC's. The start up sequence for a Volvo was fun, "the bum on seat switches" made him laugh! But when he was allowed to play in real life he just blossomed. He could see what was happening and loved it!

As I grew up, my electro-mech curiosity was fueled by;

LEGO

ERECTOR SETS

TINKER TOYS

The Lego and Erector sets both had motors that could be used to create motion, I don't think the Tinker-toys did, but you could still do some neat mechanical stuff with them. As I got older, I had a real interest in electronics, so I started to shop at Radio Shack, buying kits to build radios, etc.

Tom D.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meccano

The motorcycle in your picture looks like a good place to start.

It would have been for sure. However, as the picture shows, it's beyond their current abilities

Oooooo ... nasty!

I've never used these 'Snap Circuit' kits myself or with my son but I've seen great reviews of the kits, and the reviews on Amazon.com are extremely favorable:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000683A4?ie=UTF8&tag=wwwviolentkicom&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0000683A4wwwviolentkicom

GA from me. I got my first kit when I was 10yrs old. They're great place to start! The following school year, I had to teach my teacher how to wind a DC motor! And, I left my mom's kitchen appliances alone and intact. She always hated it, when I had my trusty screwdriver out.

Build a DIY solar panel - small one as it is only an education item.

Hope you faired better than the bike!

russ123 had a good idea. It made me remember a blog entry on CR4 awhile back: http://cr4.globalspec.com/blogentry/16377

Acesfull,

What about a small remote controlled speed boat in a swimming pool?

1. You can play at the same time with them..

2. it would be interesting for them and think how it would;

a. float

b. run

3. Explain and show to them each reasons how everything works.

a. powered by battery

b. the propeller

c. speed

d. load capacity

e. etc, etc.

Could you just imagine;

A basketball player earn money while playing.

A boxer earn money while they punch and get hurt once they were hit.

A football player earn money while they play.

BUT YOU!!! you earn money, knowledge while you teach and play!!!

Thanks

Roman

When I was a child it seemed like all of us knew how to make a transister radio,that was fun.2.Wiring a lamp seems essential.3. Building Solar energy Heaters ,Kits can be bought out of the classified adds in most of the popular Science Magazines.ds

For solar thermal www.builditsolar.com has a wide selection of DIY projects.

http://www.arvindguptatoys.com/toys.html

You may be able to get some ideas from here: http://www.theiet.org/education/promotingengineering/education-funding.cfm

Try the first download on the RHS - K'nex is a "modern" alternative to the wonderful Meccano.

Thanks all for your suggestions. I'm looking into all of the sites and ideas presented and will follow up with what our first project was.

And for your video game players: Minecraft. Redstone.

-A-

My kids have "devoured" this book over the years...it's engaging for them to read, but gives them insight / underestanding into how things they see everyday actually work! It's been the basis / inspiration for numerous projects / science fair experiments...and lots of fun along the way.

http://www.amazon.com/New-Way-Things-Work/dp/0395938473

Good on you for seeking new and different ways to inspire and challenge your kids...

Lots of good ideas here:-

http://www.mindsetsonline.co.uk/

But you'll probably need to find a US vendor to avoid crippling delivery charges.

Kids develop an interest in things in their environment, usually without feeding it to them. When I was a kid (a very long time ago), my interest was trains. That was because trains were a very big part of our environment. As railroads started to falter and other transportations became more common, kids interests shifted to those. If left up to the kid alone, he/she will find what interests them the most. Unfortunately in today's society, electronic games and TV has dominated the senses. Kids embrace these distractions instead of the physical world outside their home. I think the only way left to get kids interested in electro/mechanical pursuits will come from a parent who has such an interest. You may have to pry them away from the video game and cell phone; no easy job. I think it's up to you to have a hobby that you participate in that can include the kids. An interest in trains, model airplanes, electronics or woodworking for example may spark their interest.

I agree completely, hence the reason that we do not watch television in our home and they are limited to about an hour a week of video game time. We encourage outdoor activity, games and reading. I certainly have the interest, considering I've been working on equipment in either manufacturing or engineering for the part 12 years, however my main hobbies are reading and fishing. 2 things that aren't really engaging for the kids (especially when you cannot get them on fish). I try and let their interests dictate where we invest time and effort with them. I would just like to begin introducing them to new ideas in the engineering realm and allow it to develop naturally from there if it is in fact something they want to pursue. If it's not, no harm no foul right?

How about a Van DeGraff generator, parts & plans are available & They produce fantastic spark effects (unless it burns the house down!!)

Thanks for the update - keep 'em coming.