With television, video games and iPads, some kids don’t get a lot of opportunity to build things with their own hands. Model kit making can teach a person how cars, planes, jeeps and all kinds of things are put together. Plus there is a lot of gratification that comes from building something yourself.
Six years old is a good age to start building skill level one model kits. By 6 years old a child can learn how to follow simple instructions with pictures. They also know not to put small parts in their mouth. Skill level ones are safe as they normally do not require paint or glue.
What Is a Skill Level One Model Kit?
Skill level one models kits contain up to 40 pieces and are for those five or six years of age and older. With adult supervision most children can start building models then. Since these kits do not require gluing or painting there are no toxic smells or hazardous materials used. They have easy to follow illustrated instructions.
Skill level one kits are a simple model kit containing from 10 to up to 40 pieces. Most are made of pre-painted plastic parts while some kits are made from die-cast metal parts that are also pre-painted. The plastic kits snap together, while the die-cast metal kits are screwed together with a screw driver that is normally included in the kit.
A skill level one kit comes with very easy to follow instructions with detailed illustrations. You can put the kits together just by looking at the pictures but it’s a good time for a child to relate the pictures with the printed instructions.
What Will Building a Skill Level One Model Kit Teach My Child?
The basic idea of these models is learning how things go together- like body parts and wheels. They are a simple snap together or screw together kit that teaches motor skills, learning to do things in the proper order, and how to carefully follow instructions.
One of the greatest thing a child will learn from building model kits is a sense of accomplishment. It’s a real confidence builder to put together 10 to 40 pieces of plastic or die-cast metal and have it turn into an airplane or car. It’s fun to put the stick-on decals where they are supposed to go and enjoy the finished results.
This level of kit also teaches one how to use a few basic tools like a screwdriver, small wrench and clippers to remove the plastic parts from the sprue.
Are Any Tools Required To Build A Skill Level One Model Kit?
Skill level one kits may only require a hobby knife or parts cutter to remove the parts from the sprue, a file to remove any burrs off of the parts and a clean flat working surface for cutting and assembling.
Many of these skill level one models will not require any tools other than the included screwdriver in the die-cast model kits. It is a good time to learn how to clip a piece out of the sprue and do a little trimming but on most level one kits this isn’t necessary.
If you want to teach removing parts from the sprue and trimming them, here is a simple modeling tool kit. In the beginning, parental supervision may be necessary to teach the proper use of tools.
Stickers or Decals?
Usually Level 1 model kits don’t require any painting. They often come with stickers, and sometimes they come with decals. Water-slide decals are often introduced on Level 2 and up kits. They aren’t too difficult for ages 8 and up though, with a little help. Here’s a Star Wars X-Wing Fighter snap together kit that includes both stickers and decals for the adventurous beginner.
Skill Level One Kits For Beginners
Here are a few easy skill level one kits that would be great for a beginner modeler:
Build and Play Scooby Doo Mystery Machine
What a fun first build, with 39 pieces including Fred, Daphne, and Scooby. Comes pre-painted with stickers. No glue, paint, or tools needed. Check current price.
This authentic jet is a snap together kit so it doesn’t require glue. It has multicolored parts so there is no painting required. Like all Revell kits it is an accurate reproduction with meticulous details. It includes easy to follow detailed instructions which make it perfect for a beginner modeler.
This is the ever popular 1966 Batmobile from the television series and movies. It is a super-accurate body with great detailing that Includes Batman and Robin figures. This kit is a pre-painted 1:25 scale snap-together assembly so no glue or paint is required. Includes detailed instructions.
This kit includes nineteen easy snap together pieces so glue or tools will not be needed for assembling. This kit includes a light up Hyper-drive Motivator with battle action sounds ranging from laser fire to a realistic takeoff. Comes with detailed instructions and no painting is required.
Jada Toys Fast & Furious Dom & Dodge Charger R/T:
This is highly detailed die-cast model directly from the movie with detailed interior, real rubber tires and includes a die-cast Dominic figure. It includes an opening door, hood and trunk. You will need to use the (included) screwdriver as this is a metal kit. This build may require some adult help.
Beginner Model Kits for Every Interest
Whatever your child is into, there is usually some kind of a model kit for it. Planes, trains, automobiles, video games, movies, science, and more. Not all of them will be beginner level kits but that will just give them something to work towards.
Each of us wants some particular material object that we cannot possess for one reason or another. Modeling can often place these objects within reach and provide the pride of achievement along the way. You can build it yourself and if done well will look exactly like the real thing.
The Modeler’s Manual, Robert Schleidner 1981
Final Thoughts
Not only is model kit building good for your child, it is a great project that you spend time working on together. There are so many skills to learn from making models. When you consider that building a LEGO version of any of the kits in this list would be upward of $100, model kit building is a great cost-effective hobby. I’m constantly learning new ways to build models and honing skills I have already learned. This is a lifetime hobby as I can attest because I did it as a kid and I’m still building kits. Happy Modeling!
Related Topics
Here is a list of some of the skills that model making will help you develop:
- Researching
- Planning
- Cutting
- Drilling
- Sculpting
- Sanding
- Gluing
- Painting
- Detailing
- Photography
- Following detailed instructions
How do you paint a plastic model kit?
- Wash the parts in warm soapy water.
- Base coat with primer.
- Sand the primer with a very fine grit sand paper.
- Stir paint before painting.
- Brush paint the model.
- Use a spray can in light layers before heavier.
- Use an airbrush.