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Hi folks,
As much as I loath the winters in New England here is where I'll be. Outdoor activities, while doable, can only be for short periods of time. Therefore I'm looking for projects that can be completed indoors that are interesting and take 6 months to complete. :) (Long winters up here...)
My son has shown an interest in both electronic and mechanical type projects. He'd like a hammer for his birthday so he can break rocks. Cool, geologist. Can't find rocks too well under the snow and ice, sand and salt, in the wintertime.
He'd also like an electronics kit but I'm not sure what to to get him that will last a long while. I think at this point he's more interested in building something, electronic or not, rather than learning theory. He often mentions robots but to get something that would last for months would cost me more than the budget allows.
I'd certainly appreciate suggestions and I'm sure there are other parents who might benefit from your experiences!
(Score: 2) by dyingtolive on Thursday October 13 2016, @08:23PM
Are there really that many inhabited places in the US that get that cold during winter still?
I mean, I remember going out when it was roughly in the 0 C to -10 C range, which is about as cold as it ever got in the midwest when I was young some 20-25 years ago. Generally I wore thick gloves, coveralls, a pair of wool socks with thin cotton ones under, and some thick boots. Occasionally there'd be a scarf or hat if it was windy. I'd play outside for at least a few hours at a time back then, either sledding or building snow tunnels and forts if there was enough snow. Dressed even somewhat properly for the weather, kids can probably be out in it much longer than old folks can.
Fast forward to now where I don't think I've seen a winter I had to break out anything heavier than a windbreaker or hoodie for in a solid 3-4 years. Kinda makes me want to invest in some beachfront property around Colorado.
Don't blame me, I voted for moose wang!
(Score: 2) by PartTimeZombie on Thursday October 13 2016, @09:04PM
Wow, all these stories about playing outside in Arctic conditions makes me glad to live where I do.
Wikipedia says its a Sub Tropical climate, with a record low of -3.9C, 25F. There was snow a few years ago, it drifted down for about 5 minutes one freezing cold day (by our standards obviously) but never even made it to the ground before melting.
Spring has sprung
The grass has riz
I wonder where the birdies is
The little bird is on the wing,
No, no that's absurd,
The little wing is on the bird.
Greetings from the Southern Hemisphere.
(Score: 2) by dyingtolive on Friday October 14 2016, @03:09AM
Actually, I meant to say Fahrenheit (cause I'm a dumb American) thus it was actually a bit colder than I claimed. It was okay back then though. Children are natural heat machines.
Honestly I prefer the cold. 70 F down to about 40 F is pretty much my optimal temperature, even now.
Out of curiosity, how hot does it get there?
Don't blame me, I voted for moose wang!
(Score: 2) by PartTimeZombie on Sunday October 16 2016, @09:41PM
A cold winter's day would be about 12C (53F).
In the summer 26C would be pretty warm (79F), because of the high humidity.
There is usually a week or so of 30C (86F) which is unpleasantly hot. My Australian colleagues laugh at that high, it gets well over 40C (104F) over there.
It is a really mild, benign climate. I can grow vegetables in my garden for 10 months of the year.
(Score: 2) by Scruffy Beard 2 on Friday October 14 2016, @04:33AM
Umm.. What Arctic conditions?
Arctic conditions is what the GP was concerned about.
Since I now live in the subarctic, -20C is more routine than -30C
I don't really consider the weather cold until it gets below 10-20F
(Score: 2) by Scruffy Beard 2 on Saturday October 15 2016, @05:42AM
Correction: GP was talking about subarctic conditions. In the Arctic, the sun doesn't bother showing around Christmas.
I live 55 degrees North, and the ground thaws in the summer.
(Score: 2) by PartTimeZombie on Sunday October 16 2016, @09:36PM
I don't seem to be able to use the "Pendant" modifier on this comment.
(Score: 1) by Scruffy Beard 2 on Monday October 17 2016, @12:58AM
pedant, apparently.
(Score: 3, Funny) by PartTimeZombie on Monday October 17 2016, @01:35AM
I'm swinging both ways on that actually.