A box Kite ? then hope for good flying days

Something simple but novel. In the time available, he'll not be able to make anything too complicated. Perhaps a simple wooden puzzle, he'll then be able to 'amaze' the rest of the family and have a few laughs over the festive season.

If nothing comes to mind, I have a few suggestions that may suit & would be practical for a 9 year old in the time suggested. Just say if you need one. Regards Mike

Chuck glider.

Water bottle rockets are always fun and this version looks quite cool with some real bits of building
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMI5JaTy0Mg

Bird box

Bird table

Bug Hotel

Something for Mum – typical garden TRUG

Show him how to make a box by cutting sides, gluing on both top and bottom, then sawing the lid (and its sides) from the bottom. then add hinges and catches.

Good luck

In another thread Carl said: "Conkers ! that brings it all back… I tried pickling in vinegar, baking in the oven, ageing in the airing cupboard, all kinds of hocus locus but never could get that unbeatable smasher…"

That's what I wanted aged 9, so how about making the boy a case-hardened mild-steel conker, carefully finished to look and weigh the same as a real one.

Dave

If you've a lathe you can set him up with, a pen kit can be a good little project. In the kit you get a ballpoint and ink tube, a twist in-out mechanism, cone, centre ring, clip and retainer. Basically the maker needs to turn and drill the outer tube and cap. I don't have a pic of the one the eldest granddaughter made, but here's one I did for the daughter-in-law a few years back:-

When I was a youngster, my oldedr brothers mtaught me how to make ma "tank" from a cotton reel, a matchstick, a panel pin and a rubber nand.

later I was taught how to solder, to make a simple steam turbine form a syrup tin, a Meccano shaft and some other bits of tin. Mounted on the cooker, it ran well,, until the water had all been used up!

These might binterest him, although the soldering and running may need some supervision.

Howard

A rubber band gun is a favourite, simple to make and lots of fun shooting at empty drink tins.

David,

Last evening I watched Professor Anna Fry's programme "The secret genius of modern life" on BBC2 @18.30. Found it thoroughly entertaining and informative. If I was 9, I'd be badgering my Grandpa to make the demonstration electric motor and battery as shown by her. You could watch the programme together and then venture out into the workshop where you will have already gathered the materials to repeat the experiments.

Whatever you decide, have fun!

John

Hi David the first things I made with granddaughter was a dice. I piece of square aluminium saw off and help to face ends on for jaw chuck and Stamp numbers. We also made a hexagonal dice with Y and N stamped on sides for a yes , no game.

David

My lad built a basic Roman Ballista with me, mostly from 6mm sguare wood and string. The wheels came via a budget mulit- hole saw and thin ply or you make the stand version. A bit of 2mm or 3mm dowel provides the bolt.

Not too long to build and needs tuning to get some range (it's all in the number of string turns and twists of pre-load).

Pictures all over the web