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Ask HN: Great maker projects for 8th grade kids and above?

75 points ostaquet | 2 comments | 17 Nov 24 10:36 UTC | HN request time: 0.626s | source

As a father of a 13-year-old kid, I tried to do my best to initiate him to different aspects of life. It could be watching a documentary about black holes, building coffee table or just enjoying a simple walk in nature.

I asked to some friends if they have great project idea that could be done by an 8th grade kid with or without support. I personally like to do it with him as it is a privileged time to build something together (for me) and learn new skills (for him).

The purpose of this thread is to assemble some ideas for Christmas presents.

I’m starting…

1. DIY LED Christmas tree kit for soldering (https://www.az-delivery.de/en/products/diy-weihnachtsbaum-kit-alles-inklusive-versandkostenfrei)

2. Software Defined Radios kit (https://www.rtl-sdr.com/about-rtl-sdr/ and https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CD7558GT)

3. DIY Internet Radio Alarm clock with touch screen control (https://www.az-delivery.de/en/products/radiowecker-mit-dem-az-touch)

Any other ideas or suggestions?

1. saulrh ◴[22 Nov 24 00:15 UTC] No.42210039[source]▶
Buy a $20 RC car off Amazon and replace the radio receiver with a raspberry pi for a quick and dirty driverless car platform. Might have to do some surgery to reuse the motor drivers or you might have to add your own, but it's generally not too bad.
replies(1): >>42217086 #
2. RyanOD ◴[22 Nov 24 20:21 UTC] No.42217086[source]▶
The most memorable project I ever did as a teenager was building a Tamiya Frog RC car with my older brother.