| My husband was an avid model airplane builder when I | | | | they enter in a competition. Photos taken of them |
| met him and still is several decades later. Each of our | | | | flying their planes are great for the family album, and |
| children has gone through a phase of "needing to fly | | | | for sharing with extended family members. |
| something." Sometimes a Frisbee filled the bill, but more | | | | If your community has no model airplane club, you |
| often than not, there came a day when each child | | | | might want to start one yourself. Kids that are |
| wanted to follow their Dad's example and build a real | | | | absorbed with a creative hobby like model airplane |
| model airplane of their very own. | | | | building seldom get into trouble around town---they are |
| Luckily, "Daddy" was always willing to take a break | | | | usually too busy working on their latest project. |
| from his own current project and lead a child step by | | | | If your children are small, start with something very |
| step through the building process, and the thrill of | | | | simple like cut-out models which can be purchased |
| getting their own model plane into the air. | | | | from local hobby shops or online. Even older children |
| My husband was extremely interested in radio | | | | can have fun with these before they move quickly on |
| controlled planes, but he still took the time to help our | | | | to something more difficult. |
| kids with easy balsa cutouts before guiding each of | | | | I once saw a whole family having a backyard contest |
| them (including a number of grandchildren and | | | | with cheap little balsa planes that came in individual |
| neighborhood children) through rubber band models, | | | | cellophane packages. Each plane was just a simple |
| small gas models, u-control, and finally in several cases | | | | wing and tail that slid through slots in the body. No glue, |
| on into radio control. | | | | bolts, or rubber bands required. |
| I can't think of a more interesting and exciting hobby | | | | As soon as everyone had their plane put together, the |
| for a family than building model airplanes together. You | | | | contest began with small prizes being awarded for the |
| can spend a little or a lot, depending on your | | | | plane that stayed in the air the longest, the plane that |
| circumstances, but I really urge you give it a try. It's a | | | | flew the highest, and the plane that landed closest to a |
| fun hobby that gives you opportunities to bond with | | | | target they had set up on an empty lot next door. |
| your kids (and grandkids) like no other hobby I can think | | | | You wouldn't believe the fun they had for several |
| of. | | | | hours and for just a couple of dollars worth of supplies. |
| Later, when the models are a little more complicated | | | | You can bet those kids have never forgotten the day |
| than the cutout foam or balsa ones, your kids may | | | | they flew airplanes with dad and mom in the backyard. |
| want to join a local model airplane club and meet with | | | | Think about making it one of your family's inexpensive |
| other kids who are involved in the same hobby. These | | | | activities this summer. Maybe it will lead to a lifelong |
| clubs often have competitions that encourage the | | | | hobby of building model airplanes. |
| participants to do their very best on each model that | | | | |