Clear Creek Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 My youngest is highly inventive and likes to try to design machines and the like. For example, yesterday he spent an hour in his room trying to rig a way for his homemade crossbow to fire when a string is pulled (he was trying to booby-trap his door, a common occurence with two older sisters :lol: ). Thankfully it didn't work; his crossbow has enough force to impale a person when fired, and he is not supposed to be firing it at people :glare: . I know inventive behavior is normal for kids his age, but I noticed this summer that the majority of his free time is spent in this type of play. His room usually resembles the house in Honey I Shrunk the Kids, if that gives you an idea of what he likes to do (just with ziplines carrying little green soldiers across the room everywhere, lol). I need suggestions for materials, books, or kits for him. He wants to mechanize everything, but I have no idea what type of motor to buy or how it would work to power things. Maybe I need a book for me, lol. He already has access to basic things like straws, cardboard tubes, pipe cleaners, etc., I just need to figure out how to make his creations work (if that makes sense) and where I would buy the supplies. He does have legos, and he has a small gears kit which really expanded his lego creations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WeeBeaks Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 "makedo" line of products for cardboard and stuff you already have Lego EV3 robot "Make" magazine or books Snap Circuits He might like Maker Faire if there is one near you http://makerfaire.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamaraby Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 Diy.org is my kids' favorite along with MAKE. Sometimes you can even find a local Makerspace that has classes kids can take. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idnib Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 He might enjoy Theo Jansen. There are some kits on Amamzon and he also has a TED talk and a university talk, maybe at U of Michigan? A book I recently bought and enjoy is Making Things Move. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LolaT Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 Engino Lego WeDO KNex Erector ZomeTool Snap Circuits Some of these have kits with motors and some (Lego WeDo) you can program on the computer. I have a very inventive one too but he mostly thinks he can make anything out of good ol' fashion paper and scissors! He started making flip cell phones when he was four. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kareni Posted August 8, 2014 Share Posted August 8, 2014 The New Way Things Work by David Macaulay and Neil Ardley Regards, Kareni Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hollyh Posted August 8, 2014 Share Posted August 8, 2014 Zoobs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kerileanne99 Posted August 8, 2014 Share Posted August 8, 2014 Hhmm, not sure you want to encourage it, lol, but hve you seem the Backyard Ballistics books and the others in the same bent? Another is called Defend Your Castle. http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1613740646/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?qid=1407472234&sr=1-2&pi=SY200_QL40 http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1613746822/ref=pd_aw_sims_8?pi=SL500_SY115&simLd=1 I actually found a free PDF of the first but have no idea how legal it is... But you could have a look to see if it is something of interest. https://d1x4j6omi7lpzs.cloudfront.net/live/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Backyard-Ballistics-by-Gurstelle.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IrishMum Posted August 8, 2014 Share Posted August 8, 2014 My boys love http://www.amazon.com/Mini-Weapons-Mass-Destruction-Implements/dp/1556529538/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407481589&sr=8-1&keywords=mini+weapons and the other books in that series. Be warned, it will involves purchasing some supplies, and they make real weapons! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stutterfish Posted August 8, 2014 Share Posted August 8, 2014 In my experience kits tend to be a waste of money for inventive kids as these are not the sort of children who want to follow instructions for someone else's project. Books can be a good starting point to give them ideas, but mine often gleaned ideas from the web or were inspired by the piles of 'junk' we kept. These are the websites I used with my 'inventors'. Lots of free ideas for inventive projects which are good starting points. Storm the castle website Instructables Science toymaker I would recommend keeping a huge pile of assorted 'junk' that can be experimented with - collect mechanical parts, boxes, wheels, lids, bbq skewers etc. - and have this stuff freely available and within reach of the child. Let them work on the floor and keep their ongoing projects somewhere safe where they can access them. Tidy houses are stifling for inventive kids ;) I would also recommend buying your child some tools, proper ones not toys. Particularly useful are a range of screwdrivers - including v.small ones - and a pair of wire cutters. Encourage them to take things apart!(Check up online if there is anything hazardous inside before you let them loose with a screwdriver). Mine all got their toolboxes age 5-6 and over the years they've disassembled sewing machines, computer printers, cassette players, radios and a bunch of other things. We hunted in skips for old machines and asked friends. Some screws will have been machine- tightened, so if necessary loosen them a little before you hand the object over. If you need the reassurance that your son is doing something 'educational' print out information from the how stuff works website to accompany their disassembling project. If you want to spend money on anything, Lego and K'nex are good longterm investments as they can be expanded to be more complex as kids get older. (My teens, once inventing-mad little boys, got to the Lego League European Championships in Spain with their robotics team this year, so, trust me, they don't grow out of this stuff!) Fwiw I had absolutely no interest in this sort of thing before I gave birth to my mini inventors. I learned as I went along and mostly it was just a case of showing interest or pointing them to websites. The more we did together, the more interesting it became (even if I didn't understand it). If machinery and inventing really isn't 'your thing', find an older child or other adult (neighbour) who is willing to spend time with your son and show an interest. The best ideas are the ones that are shared! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RebeccaMary Posted August 8, 2014 Share Posted August 8, 2014 This is my child, too! These are all such great suggestions I would recommend the classic picture book "Andrew Henry's Meadow" - it's not a "resource", but Andrew Henry is such a great character. Now, if anyone has suggestions about how to control the mess and mayhem that our aspiring inventors leave in their wake... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wintermom Posted August 8, 2014 Share Posted August 8, 2014 Sounds like an awesome guy! I saw all kinds of small motors at a Hobby store (not craft stuff, more model airplanes, boats, trains). I would probably buy generic and cheap materials, raid the recycling bins for cardboard and bottles, and invest in one or two specialised motors for specific projects. Otherwise it could get very expensive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rochenan Posted August 8, 2014 Share Posted August 8, 2014 I would get free stuff from Craigslist or other garage sale sites or Facebook groups to help with supplies. I gave my son a large laundry basket that was sturdy with lots of holes. This is where he keeps his supplies. Sometime he uses the basket to test out ideas. He created a pulley system by putting sticks through the laundry basket holes, using plastic chains from Michael's, coat hangars and metal pails from Easter decorations. If I come across some "junk" while cleaning it goes in the basket for future projects. How Things Work by David Macaulay How it's Made TV series BOTH great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted August 8, 2014 Share Posted August 8, 2014 My son is an inventor/architect in the making. My bedroom is covered in cardboard buildings and sculptures that he has made for his model train. He gets giddy any time a parcel arrives because it means he can make a new building with the cardboard. Something he has enjoyed is the Make:Tinkering book. http://www.amazon.com/Tinkering-Kids-Learn-Making-Stuff/dp/1449361013 It gives you ideas of how to make several projects, with some instructions, and then provides additional ideas for you to figure out on your own. Ds made a pinball machine (from plywood, nails, springs, bells, some vertical blind slats and a sour cream container) and a model electric car (out of Popsicle sticks, a plastic cup, bottle caps, and a motor from a broken toy). There is even a project in the book to build a scooter out of scrap lumber. Almost anything we plan to recycle or throw out we first ask if it could be made into something. Ds has a stash of 'junk' supplies available. He also has several different types of tape (Scotch, masking, electricians, packing, duct) of his own that he can be free to use as much as he wants. I picked up a painter's board at an art supply store. Anything he cuts or glues must be done over the board so he doesn't wreck the floor. Clean up is not something he can completely manage himself yet, but he must do his best attempt and then ask for a bit of help to finish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stripe Posted August 8, 2014 Share Posted August 8, 2014 "makedo" line of products for cardboard and stuff you already have By the way, I ordered a set from Rainbow Resource that came with some suggested projects BUT I picked it because, having compared the price, it was cheaper than a similar number of parts with no project suggestions. I have also seen makedo things at a local museum. Steven Caney's building book is massive and interesting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walking-Iris Posted August 8, 2014 Share Posted August 8, 2014 Sounds like my 7 year old. At this very moment while I type this my ds is using wooden serving bowls, forks, train tracks, and a banana to build a "banana slicer." I don't know!!! LOL. I just let him explore with any material within reason. And I try not to interfere or "help" too much. I have been asking leading questions when he has a challenge. Some things that have helped him explore: KEVA contraption blocks (He loves these!) Balls of all sorts Marble run blocks Random pieces of PVC pipe and connectors Pipes and funnels and bottles and zip ties(outside water exploring) Legos!!! Train tracks (useful for so much more than train play) Dominoes String, rope, tape (duct, masking, painter, Scotch) Erector sets Snap Circuits Free access to the recycling bin! A small tool set (screwdrivers, hammer, sandpaper, square, tape measure) He plays in the garage or outside with scrap wood and I try to give him safe small appliances to take apart. Wide thick popsicle sticks!!! (google popsicle stick chain reaction) My ds is mostly fascinated by Rube Goldberg, so we spend lots of time on youtube getting inspiration. One Way Out and Mythbusters are favorite shows. Occasionally he enjoys building with me from an idea found in Family Fun or on Pinterest. He also has some Chaos track handed down from a friend. I didn't plan on this being our physical science year, so I'm just facilitating his natural interest. ETA: I also try to include him in any house project. Painting, rewiring an electrical outlet, taking apart the dishwasher bottom for cleaning, assembling furniture. We have always found some way he can be involved in that. My ds also stalks repair men! LOL---electrician, plumber, and the guy who maintains our furnace are on first name terms with my ds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erin Posted August 8, 2014 Share Posted August 8, 2014 ANYTHING by David Macaulay is good. My inventor is now a teen, so we're currently into ancient/medieval weaponry: Backyard Ballistics: Build Potato Cannons, Paper Match Rockets, Cincinnati Fire Kites, Tennis Ball Mortars, and more Dynamite Devices The Art of the Catapult: Build Greek Ballistae, Roman Onagers, English Trebuchets and More Ancient Artillery He's under strict orders not to launch anywhere near the livestock, but I tell you what, if Colorado ever decides to invade, we're ready! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jessicamcc Posted August 8, 2014 Share Posted August 8, 2014 Too many good ideas!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clear Creek Posted August 8, 2014 Author Share Posted August 8, 2014 So many good ideas, thank you all! My Amazon wishlist just grew by leaps and bounds, lol. I am going to start scouring freecycle and craigslist for supplies; I hadn't thought of that. The suggestion to have a container for his various supplies is an excellent one, and one that will be implemented quite soon - he leaves things lying around and I throw them out thinking they are garbage. I also appreciate the suggestion for a painter's board for him to work on in order to protect the floor of his room. He does have basic (real) tools of his own, he started acquiring them as gifts when he was 5...he has enough that he has requested a toolbox to store them all; his toy workbench is overflowing. He also has free access to his dad's hardware and tools (minus the drill and table saw and such until he is just a little bit older). I am definitely not pushing this as a school subject; I make sure to keep the things my children love out of the realm of school...in this house that includes sewing, cooking, baking, art, and building/inventing. Someday they will realize that they use the things I teach them as school in those activities, but until then they are just things they do for fun outside of school time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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