Models for kids ?

[Jon Haigwood]

On my recent visit to the Goodwill As-is store I picked up a complete (all but instructions), un-built Monogram 1/32 Snap Tite Chevy Bison Semi Truck kit and a complete AMT 88 Daytona kit for $1.67 a lb. I have a grandson that is 12 and has a type of the autism syndrome. He has a very short attention span and spends most of his time with his electronic toys. He has shown a interest with building a model with me. We tried doing a Aluma Coupe but with only being at my place occasionally  and the kits poor parts fit it didn't really get finished. 

Since he likes big trucks would the Bison kit be a good kit for him and I to build ? Are there any other kits that are suitable for a challenged kid to build ? 

[Lizard Racing]

Revell makes a whole line of Snap Tite kits in a variety of subjects.  I have started my grandson in the hobby with these.

[espo]

You might try getting him some of the Snap type kits to see if this is something he would be interested in. I have read where sometimes people with Autism and other problems do very well with something that is of interest to them.   

[unclescott58]

From what I remember the Bison was not too hard to build. I wish Revell would bring it or the GMC General back. In fact I'd prefer the General.

[Edsel-Dan]

Hopefully they will eventually re-issue all of those 1/32 Semi kits

We Did get the Mack R with Tank trailer last year(2 yrs ago)

and just recently the Freightliner Conventional & Box/Refer van

Now this year we are getting the KW Aerodyne Conventional

 

So Hopefully.......

[MGL]

On my recent visit to the Goodwill As-is store I picked up a complete (all but instructions), un-built Monogram 1/32 Snap Tite Chevy Bison Semi Truck kit and a complete AMT 88 Daytona kit for $1.67 a lb. I have a grandson that is 12 and has a type of the autism syndrome. He has a very short attention span and spends most of his time with his electronic toys. He has shown a interest with building a model with me. We tried doing a Aluma Coupe but with only being at my place occasionally  and the kits poor parts fit it didn't really get finished. 

Since he likes big trucks would the Bison kit be a good kit for him and I to build ? Are there any other kits that are suitable for a challenged kid to build ? 

My son is 13 and has Asperger syndrome which is an autism spectrum disorder. He has built several snap together models over the years including the Speedracer Mach 5, and a newer style Camaro molded in yellow so it looked like bumblebee from the Transformer movies. He has a couple of glue together kits that he has attempted but he can't seem to get past the "invisioning the goal" stage. What I mean by that is he starts painting it one way and then decides he wants something else. He also see's all the possibilities of kitbashing and scratchbuilding and without knowing what he wants to build he just stalls out. I would recommend you try some of the newer kits that are already painted or molded in color, by limiting the options it will focus him on the end goal and still let him learn some fundamental skills. Maybe have him detail paint the exhaust and other chassis plate bits and if it has an opening hood have him paint the engine. My youngest (10) really enjoyed building this http://www.revell.com/model-kits/snaptite/85-1982.html#.Vz_gdK3mr4g although he didn't paint it. He is planning on starting this http://www.revell.com/model-kits/snaptite/85-1977.html#.Vz_g2q3mr4g this weekend but he is planning on painting it. I don't think I'm going to have him worry about removing mold lines or ejector pin marks though, I did that with my 13 year old and I think it took some of the fun out of it for him by making him spend so much time with no assembly. I'm sure others will disagree but I think this younger generation needs to see some tangible progress quickly or they will lose interest.

[Bennyg]

Hi mate. Airfix quickbuild aren't a bad option. They're somewhere between a model kit and Lego.

http://www.airfix.com/us-en/shop/by-brand/quick-build.html

 

Ben

[disabled modeler]

John...All good ideas here for him.  Revell snaps are very easy so are some of the AMT snapfast plus issued kits.

[CapSat 6]

The Bison should be fine to start with...I remember building one of those Monogram 1/32 Trucks (it might have been the Bison, but I can't remember which) back when I was about 11 and I remember it being a pretty easy one to get together design-wise. 

The trick would be to be able to complete something with him. Once that happens, then hopefully, the idea will take hold that he can do it, and he'll want to achieve more. 

From there, if I were you, I would get some of the current Revell snaps. They're all well thought out modern tools that should not be difficult to build, with a wide range of subjects. 

If at some point he wants to graduate to cars with engines, then I would recommend the Revell '90's Dodge Vipers. Why? Because these tools were originally designed to be snap kits. They practically snap together. This would only be the first generation Viper kits. This would be after he gets a few of the Revell Snap Togehter kits under his belt. 

The trick to all of this is to find kits that don't present assembly problems. I have built quite a few of the revell snaps with my girls (8 year old triplets and a 6 year old). Like many kids these days, they like their electronics, so their attention spans are a little limited, but they do like doing things with their hands, and building cars like me. I always have to keep some of these kits around because they do twist my arms to build once in awhile.

 

[Greg Myers]

After reading this, I got to thinking, where does one buy these kits? With all the big box stores and toy stores NOT carrying models where would a youngster or his or her parents run into these in their every day shopping experience? 

[Jon Haigwood]

After reading this, I got to thinking, where does one buy these kits? With all the big box stores and toy stores NOT carrying models where would a youngster or his or her parents run into these in their every day shopping experience? 

Walmart carries a few but they are online only since they stopped having them in the store.
Other than that just doing every day shopping I don't think you would run across one

 

I also have a Testers Hot Metal Model T kit with the pre-painted body that I have been considering for him.

[Greg Myers]

The Testors is a little more detailed and requires some multi media building skills, gluing and metal screws. It does build into a very nice model right out of the box.

[keyser]

For semis, the 1/25 R-M Kenworth and Pete started as snap-tites. Pretty amazing, now available new for $20 or so online. I've got an old Kenworth, and a newer Pete, as I needed some semis to tow race trailers but didn't want to grind to halt with hard to build semi. Here's pics of snap boxes and current issues.

Big parts, big model, not too fiddly. 

The Lambo Diablo that R-M has now was/is a sophisticated snap, as is the 96 Impala SS

 

 

Edited May 21, 2016 by keyser

[CapSat 6]

After reading this, I got to thinking, where does one buy these kits? With all the big box stores and toy stores NOT carrying models where would a youngster or his or her parents run into these in their every day shopping experience? 

Pretty much craft stores like Michael's, A.C. Moore, Hobby Lobby. I have seen a scant few at Toys R Us- snap Hunmer, the new Camaro & Challenger, a few other things. 

[CapSat 6]

Here are a few that my daughters built, with a little help from me. The great things about these new snappers, over the snappers I grew up with during the '70's are: 

- you don't have to glue anything due to bad design. The windows and wheels attach securely.

- they stay together after a little bit of play.

[CapSat 6]

Here's my stash, waiting at the ready for when the girls want to build...

[CapSat 6]

My daughter built this one with absolutely minimal help when she had just turned 5. This series of kits are really good for the new builder. They also do an Audi sports car, a Jeep Wrangler, and a Ford Police Interceptor.

[CapSat 6]

My daughter built this one with absolutely minimal help when she had just turned 5. This series of kits are really good for the new builder. They also do an Audi sports car, a Jeep Wrangler, and a Ford Police Interceptor.

And they also do the new Ford GT...

[Greg Myers]

Great idea Bill, having a ready go to stash just for them. 

[Aaronw]

The Revell Build and Play are super simple, it literally takes me 2-3 minutes to assemble them. My 2 1/2 year old has become interested in my models, so I've done a couple of them with him. Pretty durable for a model, although he has managed to break the wheels off. The police car made it a few days, the jeep a few weeks before the wheels came off. For an older 4-6 year old child they are plenty tough as a toy, just not 2-3 year old tough.

The level 2 kits are a nice curbside snap / simple glue level kits that are easy to assemble but offer room for added detailing. I've got the Jeep Rubicon and Ford Raptor which I actually got for myself because of the subjects. The Revell Peterbilt and Kenworth mentioned above are similar being fairly simple to build but well detailed even including a nice CAT 3406 engine which I've swiped for other projects.   

I don't know if they are still around but Jada had some nice snap kits I built with my older son when he was 7 or 8. Again tough enough to play with but nice kits open to detailing for a more advanced modeler. There were some Speed Racer kits (Mach 5 and Mach 6) as well as some sports cars a Corvette and I think a Mustang, probably others.

[CapSat 6]

Great idea Bill, having a ready go to stash just for them. 

Thanks, Greg. It's necessary, because if I don't have any on hand, then they start asking about MY models...?