Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Recommended Resources Prototyping supplies for 5 year old

Just wondering what folks would recommend as supplies/toys for a 5 year old who is interested in making things (boats/cars/machines/planes etc).

There are many origami and paper-folding books and videos for simple construction ideas. There are also web sources with directions for toy cars made from a cardboard tube or toilet paper core, and toy vehicles powered with a balloon. One website which may be of interest is ArtistsHelpingChildren.org. (Search their website or check their alphabetical listing for "cars" or "paper car" or "transportation", etc.)

Kits may be another idea to explore. Many have small pieces therefore a child may benefit from direct supervision and/or working with a parent or sibling.

There are also hands-on project ideas such as Rube Goldberg machines mentioned in this recent thread, tailored to a 7-year-old: in need of suggestions re: a "builder"

Home Depot has project kits and I think lowes does too. For a five year old I wouldn't let them independently. Sometimes you can get in builder classes and build the project right there and sometimes you can bring the kit home. I think my sons did Home Depot wooden nascar cars at a community event. Oh and you can order little pine wood derby car kits by searching cub scouts. That does need supervision because you cut and sand down a block of wood into a car shape. If you have a scout shop around you could go and buy one there.