Great Snap Together Model Kits For Beginners

Whether or not you’re super into modeling hobbies, your little tike just might be ready to take a stab at their first model. You certainly don’t want to get them one that will be too hard and make it unenjoyable. So we will build an extensive list for starting out, but one that will still be a challenge for them.

What are the best snap together model kits for beginners?

AMT 1980 Toyota Hilux Sr5 Pickup
Revell Star Wars VII series, Resistance X-wing Fighter
Revell USS Missouri Battleship
Revell SnapTite Ford Expedition Police Model Kit
Testors Military Tank

Let’s go into a detailed look at some fun snap together model kits that will also be challenging enough for a beginner modeler that they will want to take the next step into the level two kits. We’ll start with the easiest and work our way to the more challenging level one and two kits.

Easy Level One Snap Together Model Kits:

The AMT level one Toyota Hilux SR5 Pickup is the best one to begin with followed by the Revell Resistance X-Wing Fighter Model Kit, Revell Snap-Tite F-18 Blue Angels Plastic Model Kit, Testors M4A3 Military Tank and the Revell Snap-Tite Ford Expdition Police SSV plastic model kit.

If you have never built a model kit before, or are returning to the hobby you will want to choose an easy subject to begin with. Also pick a model that is a subject that you are interested in personally. This reduces the chance that you will run out of interest before the end as the aim is to get the kit completed.

Pick out an affordable, good quality kit that you are interested in, one with few parts and an “easy skill level” (often shown on the box).

I would recommend 1:72nd or 1:48th scale aircraft or snap fit 1/24 car and 1/35 military kits for beginners, that are a skill level 1.

Some hobby/craft shops such as Hobby Lobby stock a reasonable selection and there still remains a small number of large brick and mortar stores who carry extensive stocks of kits available to browse.

If you can’t find one that interests you in any of these stores there are numerous internet stores with everything you can imagine in a model kit, you will just have to wait a few days for it to arrive.

Here are a few that I found that look quite interesting for the beginner.

AMT 1980 Toyota Hilux Sr5 Pickup

This is an AMT #1114 1980 Toyota Hilux 4×4 Pickup, 1:25 scale plastic model kit that requires snap together assembly. This will make a great first model that is vey highly rated on Amazon.

This snap-fit assembly Skill Level 1 for ages 8 and up has extra accessories that include expanded peel and stick decal sheet, vinyl tires, roll bar with lights, winch with crash bar, and a detailed raft.

The parts are molded in beige and the truck is 7 1/4 inches long once assembled (18.4 cm). Glue and paint are not required for assembly.

Revell Resistance X-Wing Fighter Model Kit:

This is the resistance X-Wing Fighter’ from the new Star Wars Movie– The Force Awakens. A modern incarnation of a classic design, the Incom T-70 X-wing fighter is the signature combat craft of the resistance forces in their fight against the First Order.

Highly detailed engraved surfaces, multicolored and pre-decorated, detailed cockpit with open and close canopy, wings open into attack mode, detailed thrusters and guns, optional undercarriage and display stand, (BB-8 the spherical, loyal Astromech Droid), no glue or paint needed.

This is a fun and easy snap together kit that is great for a first model.

Revell SnapTite F-18 Blue Angels Plastic Model Kit:

The sleek F-18 fighter is used extensively by the U.S. Navy, but is probably best known for its use by the Blue Angels aerobatics team. Easy snap assembly and multicolored parts – no painting, no glue needed.

This great model features include detailed landing gear and missiles, special decal sheet with one set of authentic markings and a bonus set of custom graphics.

This kit is recommended for ages 8 and up. Finished dimensions are 12″ H x 6″ W x 9″ L

Slightly More Challenging Level One Kits:

Testors 650022T Model Kit-M4A3, M4A3 Military Tank:

This Testors pre-painted plastic model tank kit is an authentic imitation of a classic historical military vehicle. This authentic replica showcases incredible details and is easy to assemble. Includes screwdriver (no glueing).

This is a 1/35 scale model with realistic armor panels, accurate detail with moveable gun turrets and separately molded tracks.

The kit can be assembled in about one hour or less. It is a level one for ages eight and older. Kit comes with 42 finely detailed pieces and thorough instructions.

This is a highly rated tank model kit on Amazon so it will be an enjoyable display piece or toy.

Revell SnapTite Ford Expedition Police SSV Plastic Model Kit:

This kit is highly detailed in plastic pieces molded in black with transparent red, transparent gray clear parts and chrome plated parts.

An easy snap-together assembly with no gluing or painting needed. Has soft black tires with a pre-painted roof light bar, interior storage compartments and security screen.

Easy to assemble screw on chassis with easy to follow illustrated instructions. The models scale is 1/25, skill level 1, with dimensions of 8-1/4 inches length, 3-1/2 width, 3-1/4 height and includes 46 parts.

The Most Challenging Of Level One Model Kits

The Focke-Wulf Fw190A-8 Plastic Model Kit by Airfix followed by Revell 535 USS Missouri Battleship. These kits have a few more parts with more detailed instructions than the entry level one kits.

Focke-Wulf FW190A-8

Focke-Wulf Fw190A-8 Plastic Model Kit by Airfix:

This is the 1/72 Scale Focke-Wulf Fw190A-8 plastic model kit by Airfix that is suitable for ages 8 & up. Width is 5.7 inches, and the length is 4.92 inches on this skill level one model.

This is an easy to build model that has 53 parts and will be a great introduction to glueing and painting.

These are highly detailed plastic pieces molded in light gray and clear and also introduces the modeler to water-slide decals which will give it a much more life like appearance.

There is also a pilot figure included in this kit to give it a real feel. There are detailed step by step instructions to keep you on track.

Revell 1: 535 USS Missouri Battleship:

This kit is the 1/535 USS Missouri plastic model battleship nicknamed the “Mighty Mo” from Revell-Monogram. This kit is a highly rated kit on Amazon and many other hobby sites.

It’s a level 2 model ship for beginners to intermediate modelers, ages 10 and over. This is a great kit to graduate up to the next level with, not too many parts and the parts are not to small.

This kit has 75 pieces and is 20 inches long when completed. Contains waterslide decals, and the model can be painted as seen on the box with these following colors: black, silver, dark red and dark blue.

The kit has great detail with two Navy seaplanes on movable catapults, nine elevating guns, forward mast, radar screens, three movable turrets, twenty 40mm guns and ten five inch guns.

The kit comes with authentic U.S. Navy water-slide decal markings, colorful flag sheet and sits on a display stand.

Also included is a historical paper plaque and nameplate.

Final Thoughts:

We started with the Toyota Hilux pickup truck that is a snap together model that doesn’t require painting unless you just want to get your feet wet. It’s fun and simple. We ended with a twenty inch ship with seventy five pieces that really isn’t very hard but gives you the opportunity to work with a few different colors of paints and introduces you to water slide decals. When you have completed the battleship “Mo” you can confidently start into higher levels with your new found skills. Happy Modeling!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbUr8CatTQ8

fix a broken model kit part (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbUr8CatTQ8)

fixing broken plastic model kit parts