Balsa wood models
I went through a phase as a kid when I built several WWI balsa wood airplane models from kits I bought at a hobby store. I covered them with tissue paper and decals and hung them from my bedroom ceiling. They were powered by a rubber band, not by an electric motor like what professional, adult model airplane hobbyists use. I didn't try to fly them, though. I just liked building, handling and looking at them, and the sense of accomplishment when each one was done. The first one was given to me as a Christmas present, but after that I was motivated. At its peak, I had six of these airplanes arranged in a circle above my bed, suspended from hooks that I put in the plaster. Building them was great fun, and it taught me about WWI aircraft, and the countries and men who flew them. I still remember that information, and I still remember the heady stench of the epoxy I used to assemble them. I went through a plastic model phase, too, but it's the balsa wood airplanes that I enjoyed the most. I guess my parents were happy that I had something to do that kept me out of trouble. I asked my mother about it, and she say she doesn't remember me doing it.