Getting another kid into the hobby

[mikemodeler]

So my oldest brother called me a couple of weeks ago and said his 11 year old grandson wants to start building models. The kid (my grand-nephew) has seen my collection and is interested in building some kits. He has hinted a few times during their brief visits that he wished he could build models but for whatever reason, he hasn't. I suspect he doesn't have much support in this endeavor and having a 5 year old little brother who wants to do EVERYTHING his older brother does could be a part of it. I also think because he doesn't have a work area or a garage, he might be hesitant to do much.

Fast forward to last night when they (him, his dad and little brother) stopped on their way back home from my oldest brother's house for the night. He wanted to show me his kits and was just about to tear the wrapping off of the boxes when I stopped him, as his little brother was right next to him at the table. I explained to him and his father that the models needed to be painted if they wanted them to look like the box art (Revell 78 Trans Am and Enzo Ferrari) and that spray painting them would be the best route. The grand nephew asked if we could paint them last night and I went into further explanation of the whole process of prepping and painting, correct place to do it and what type of paint would yield the best results. Needless to say, I think I burst his bubble regarding his kits. I mentioned that maybe a snap kit would be a great start as the kits he had were skill level 2 and 3 and would take time and patience to complete.

I felt bad about not getting started on his kits with him last night, but I think I might have done him a bigger favor in the long run. I will be sending him and his dad a list of basic tools and paints to buy, along with some simple instructions on how to start spray painting the bodies. I will also mention to my nephew that next time they come through, we plan on some building time and I can show him how to start the process of assembling a kit without just slapping paint and glue on a body and hoping for the best.

I am sure others have found them in this situation and I hope that he really does take to modelling like I did at that age, but I wonder with all of the distractions that kids today have, if he will? He enjoyed playing xBox and I hope model building has the same allure that video games do.

 

[Roadrunner]

My experience in this area has been poor, at best. Two young fellas in my old neighborhood practically begged me for some models to build (once they discovered the large stash I had in the basement then). Fat forward a couple of years, and they now spend all of their free time getting drunk and texting everybody. I probably won't bother with it anymore.

[Dave Ambrose]

Kids have different priorities (as well they should).Seems like this would be a good place for a snap kit. They go together quickly, don't need painting, and are rugged enough to be played with afterward. They aren't cars, but simple Gundam kits are great in that they are intended to be played with after building and are pretty easy to build.

My nephew has a couple of sons who will be visiting us this summer. We're planning to introduce them to Gundams.

[disabled modeler]

Mike....I like what you trying to do and the route.  Snaps are a great way to get the young builders started..or anyone who has never built one before.  I have tried to get my 11 year old nephew interested and he built a couple snaps I got him but he spends most of his time on the video games...still trying...he spends way too much time on the games.  Id think the best thing to do is find a snap kit of something they like or are into...it might be just the thing to get them interested enough to start in on one. Keep at it at least there interested Mike.

[68shortfleet]

While I don't disagree with you guys about the snap kits, I think that the kid has already picked out a couple of kits that he is interested in and "just wants to build". Let him build a couple gluebombs, let him get a taste of the hobby without stressing him over perfect paint or minimal glue usage. He will be proud of them without paint and want to come back for more. If you the add stress and complication of paint, they go back to video games. Once they have enjoyed assembling a couple gluebombs, they will start asking about how to paint.

[Canso65]

While I don't disagree with you guys about the snap kits, I think that the kid has already picked out a couple of kits that he is interested in and "just wants to build". Let him build a couple gluebombs, let him get a taste of the hobby without stressing him over perfect paint or minimal glue usage. He will be proud of them without paint and want to come back for more. If you the add stress and complication of paint, they go back to video games. Once they have enjoyed assembling a couple gluebombs, they will start asking about how to paint.

I would agree with you 68shortfleet.

I made the mistake of trying to teach my son how to build a model to my standards not his. At the end of the day, I built the model while he watched and that was the end of his desire to build. Let them build it the way they want to and they will eventually start asking how to make their next build better.

[mikemodeler]

While I don't disagree with you guys about the snap kits, I think that the kid has already picked out a couple of kits that he is interested in and "just wants to build". Let him build a couple gluebombs, let him get a taste of the hobby without stressing him over perfect paint or minimal glue usage. He will be proud of them without paint and want to come back for more. If you the add stress and complication of paint, they go back to video games. Once they have enjoyed assembling a couple gluebombs, they will start asking about how to paint.

I like your perspective of "letting him build" and I will, but he did say that he wanted to learn how to paint his 78 T/A black so it would look like the model on the box. I will set aside some time during their next visit to show him how to spray paint, use sprue cutters to remove parts from the trees, and how to use the glue without too much ending up on the model, but I won't do it for him!