Introducing children to electronics?

the "skwatch tracker" Ben Heck assisted with immediately comes to mind. Its one of those things that is really simple at its base, but you could really go nuts with it too; all sorts of sensors and gadgets could be added. You could even work your way up to building battle bots on whatever scale youre comfortable with.

minecraft might also be a fun way to get into logic gates and circuits. Ive never really played it because I hate playing video games, but ive seen some of the contraptions that can be made. I must admit, some of the things people make in it are actually impressive.

maybe its  bit advanced, but you could make a little remote controlled device that plays fart sounds. think remote triggered electronic woopie cushion. As an added bonus, when his teachers inevitably confiscate it, he will have to make another one. This will be a great opportunity for you to get him thinking about design analysis. "how was the teacher able to confiscate the device? What can be done to make it harder for the teacher to find the device next time?"

I guess that would be my biggest point. Dont just build something. Build something with a purpose. Think about what you want him to learn from building whatever it is youre building. As one of my EE professors would often say "It doesnt take an IQ of 2 above a rock to solder components together. Engineering is about insight."

Have only breafly looked at "skwatch tracker"  episode.

Looks like one might be able to adapt some ideas here.

My first thought was more on building "blockes" with for example a LED, one block with battery, another with switch etc.

Then have somekind of playfield where the blocks can be used.

Sound / light and maybe somekind of motion could be "action" blockes.

The block themself coulb be transparant units with the electronics inside them.

Have only breafly looked at "skwatch tracker"  episode.

Looks like one might be able to adapt some ideas here.

My first thought was more on building "blockes" with for example a LED, one block with battery, another with switch etc.

Then have somekind of playfield where the blocks can be used.

Sound / light and maybe somekind of motion could be "action" blockes.

The block themself coulb be transparant units with the electronics inside them.

I've seen kits like these before - like Legos with electronics. Might want to check out Amazon.com

Speaking of Legos, they've advanced quite a bit from when I was a kid and we could not afford real Legos.

Lots of programmable stuff, robotics, etc. Might be good for children too!

I had a few of those Radioshack Electronics Learning Labs/Centers, or whatever name they were called. I didn’t know exactly why the parts did what they did, but it was my first step into engineering.

C