Make Amazing Toy and Game Gadgets (Popular Mechanics for Kids) - Softcover

Moon, Allan; Holdcroft, Tina

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0688177263 ISBN 13: 9780688177263

Publisher: Harpercollins Childrens Books, 1604

Synopsis

Provides easy-to-follow instructions for creating a light box, blinking jewelry, spy camera, and other electric gadgets.

About this title

About the Author

Amy Pinchuk has a Ph.D. in engineering. Her consulting firm specializes in high-tech communication and navigation systems. She lives in Canada near Montreal with her husband and four children, who helped test the activities in this book.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Build Amazing Toys and Games, Now!

Put your building cap on, roll up your sleeves, and make some awesome toys and games. All of these nifty gadgets are made of buzzers that buzz, parts that move, and lights that flash. So they're fun to build and play around with. What's more, they'll make you the most fun-to-be-with kid on the block.

Outta Sight Light Box
Made from an ordinary matchbox, this little treasure box lights up when you open it. It makes a great spy flashlight, cool greeting card, or lust a funky place to stash stuff.

Buzz Off Game
Make a game that requires a steady hand. Move the wand along the wire. But don't touch the wire or -- bzzzzt -- you'll have to buzz off and let the next person take a turn.

Flashy Jewelry
Light up your life -- or someone else's -- with a handmade piece of jewelry. Powered by a battery, the lights flash on and off to reveal the wearer's inner glow.

Cool Shades
Glasses so cool you can wear them in the dark. You create the circuit yourself that makes the lights flash on and off, slowly or quickly -- it's your choice.

Spy Camera
A small and silent pinhole camera -- made out of cardboard, paper, and glue, and using real film.

Start by choosing a cool gadget that you want to make. Then carefully read through all the step-by-step instructions. This will give you an idea of what you're going to do and what to expect along the way.

Once you've chosen a project, take a good look at Tools & Stuff You Need on the first page of the activity. Chances are you'll be able to find most of these things around your home, and you'll have a few things to buy from local hardware or electronic stores.

Gather up what you've got at home, make a shopping list, and buy what you need. If you can't find exactly what's called for, try to find something similar. For example, use Bristol board instead of index cards. But when it comes to electrical stuff like wires, batteries, and electrical tape, play it safe by using exactly what's listed. Check out The "What's That?" Glossary on page 60 and How-to Tips on page 57 to find out more about what things are and how to use them. Get going and have fun!

[each project has sections on:]

Your personal guide leads you through the tough parts and tells you what to watch out for as you build.

Test This! directions help you test the gadget as you go to make sure it's in perfect working order every step of the way.

Step-by-step pictures and instructions show you how to make each gadget.

Zoom In on the Mechanics gives you the inside scoop on how each gadget works.

--

Put Safety First

When it comes to building mechanical gadgets and working with electrical gizmos, pros always put safety first. The pros check and test what they're building every step of the way. They also make sure their finished product is neat and tidy so it is safe to use.

All of the gadgets described in this book are perfectly safe to make. The step-by-step instructions for building them are based on the methods of the pros. When extra safety caution is needed for certain steps, the instructions tell you to wear safety goggles or to get an adult to help. The activities in this book are for kids at least nine years old. Keep all materials out of the reach of younger children.

Here are a few golden rules to help you play it safe:

• Handle all tools with care.
• All the gadgets use regular batteries. Use only the batteries listed. NEVER try to make or use any of the gadgets with other power sources like the plug-in outlets in your home or larger batteries. That's a double D: dumb and dangerous!
• Read over and follow any directions that come with the stuff you're working with such as glue, buzzers, batteries, and resistors.
• Take special care when you're working with glue. When using drills, X-Acto knives, and other cutting tools, always work with an adult. Never drill or cut toward your body or your hands. Make sure you don't damage any furniture or surfaces around you.
• If you're not sure about something, ask an adult for help.

About this edition

• Publisher: Harpercollins Childrens Books
• Publication date: 1604
• ISBN 10: 0688177263
• ISBN 13: 9780688177263
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 64