Boat and Ship Toy Models and Kits
Whether the model is made of plastic, wood, or metal, boats and ships are enjoyable toy models and kits for hobby enthusiasts all over the world. With kits made for a variety of experience levels, anybody at any age can find one designed to help them start honing their model-building skills. Snap-on pieces and non-toxic adhesives in age-appropriate kits offer safe options for young hobbyists.
Which famous ships have had toy models and ship kits?- RMS Titanic: A universally recognizable ship for model-makers, the Titanic’s historical precedence and tragic story make it a favorite to recreate for manufacturers and hobbyists alike. Deluxe models are capable of the kind of exact scaled details that distinguish true authenticity between brands.
- Other historical ships: From warships, to armadas, submarines, and pirate’s sails, almost every sea-worthy style of vessel has been made in model scale.
- In the movies: Forrest Gump’s famously named ship, Jenny, and the boat destroyed in Jaws both have had their own toy models and kits made to scale. For children, easy-assembly models of cartoon vessels are alternatives to the complicated or complex kits made for adults.
Toy models use scaling to express how many times smaller the object is if compared to the real size of the same object. If a ship is 12 feet long in real life, and the kit is built with a standard 1:12 scale, the model will be 1 foot long. Most of the time, the industry standard measures model sizes in millimeters and uses a range of standard scale ratios. Because of the large size of their real counterparts, toy models can have an especially wide range of scale differences. This can be an incredibly small 1/6000 scale or large enough that a person can step inside.
Can children put together model ships and boat kits?Yes. In fact, many manufacturers make model ship kits specifically meant for children as young as toddlers. These usually involve non-adhesive or non-toxic materials and larger dimensions for the pieces as precautions for safety in a child’s kit. Adult supervision and guidance should be used with any model not labeled for safe assembly by younger ages. Choosing easier tasks and simpler steps within the project that are safe for a child to do can include them during assembly of more complicated or difficult ship models.