Hey everyone, I'm looking for some advice on how to encourage my 6-year-old son's fascination with electronics and robotics. He's been coming up with ideas for different robots and inventions, but my understanding of electronics is pretty basic. I have a background in 3D modeling and design and recently bought a 3D printer, which gives me some tools to work with. I'm considering whether I should learn about electronics and coding alongside him, or if there are better ways for us to learn together, like specific kits or classes. We've already done Snap Circuits together, which was a good start, but I'm unsure where to go next. I'm also looking into LEGO STEM products, but I'm open to more DIY projects. Any suggestions? Thanks!
5 Answers
Props to you for supporting your son’s interests! Just by being involved, you're already doing a fantastic job as a parent!
Starting with a learning lab is a great way to build a foundation. I recommend trying out something like a cardboard electronics lab first, as it introduces basic components and circuits. From there, you can dive into Arduino kits, which will allow for tons of cool projects once you get the hang of the basics. You can find lots of these kits affordably on sites like eBay.
Learning Arduino and some Python programming is a fantastic step! Once you're comfortable, I'd recommend checking out general electrical and electronics introductions. There are many great STEM kits available online to kickstart your adventures! Just remember to keep his excitement alive!
I suggest taking a look at CircuitMess; it might be a bit advanced, but it's definitely something you two can work on together. It's perfect for both learning and having fun!
Don't forget to share his drawings with the 'Kids Invent Stuff' YouTube channel! They might feature his ideas and inspire him further!
Oh man, I remember that RadioShack electronics lab with all the springs! It was so much fun messing around with it!