> Any I've missed? If I ever have children they're definitely going to > have easy access LEGO and random electronic components.
Rubber-band powered airplanes made of balsa and tissue paper (today the tissue paper is sometimes replaced with ultra-thin plastic, which can actually be made by spreading liquid plastic on top of water). This is not just a "kid thing", as many adults like building these too. Small radio-control units can now be purchased for a small amount of money and re-used over and over again if the plane (or boat or car) "lands right" (or even "at all"). For that matter, paper airplanes have many designs, and orgami is a great art to practice, as you can entertain people at almost any time with a few scraps of paper. And kites made from bamboo and paper. Start them now and use them this spring. All of these flying, floating things need physics and math. Many years ago Popular Mechanics published a book called "The Boy Mechanic" that had hundreds of pages of projects from the very simple to the very complex of things for children to build from everyday components. When I was in grade school I borrowed the book many times from the library, and eventually bought a used copy when I was in college. One project, however, was how to build a hot-air balloon out of tissue paper. From personal experience I recommend adult supervision on that one.... That book (unfortunately) has been out of print for many, many years, but here is another book along the same lines that I would recommend: http://www.amazon.com/American-Boys-Handy-Book-Nonpareil/dp/0879234490/ref=si3_rdr_bb_product a reprint of Dan Beard's book: "The American Boy's Handy Book: What to Do and How to Do It" While Lord Baden-Powell was the originator of Boy Scouts, Dan Beard was the movement's heart. Not to be outdone, there was a companion book for girls published by his wife: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0879236663/ref=pd_luc_0000215881650940879236663 actually, the set would be good for any family. Like music? Go beyond just the ipod....get an old 78 record and show them the grooves. Pluck a string and show them the harmonics. Get them involved with midi, electronic music. Lots of cool software for audio on Linux. md -- Jon "maddog" Hall Executive Director Linux International(R) email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] 80 Amherst St. Voice: +1.603.672.4557 Amherst, N.H. 03031-3032 U.S.A. WWW: http://www.li.org Board Member: Uniforum Association Board Member Emeritus: USENIX Association (2000-2006) (R)Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds in several countries. (R)Linux International is a registered trademark in the USA used pursuant to a license from Linux Mark Institute, authorized licensor of Linus Torvalds, owner of the Linux trademark on a worldwide basis (R)UNIX is a registered trademark of The Open Group in the USA and other countries. _______________________________________________ gnhlug-discuss mailing list gnhlug-discuss@mail.gnhlug.org http://mail.gnhlug.org/mailman/listinfo/gnhlug-discuss/
