Weapon Engineering and Fun

This Christmas, Gabriel unwrapped a truly fascinating gift: Da Vinci’s Inventions Battalion Kit. It was a set designed to bring some of Leonardo da Vinci’s ingenious weaponry designs to life, and it was time to dive into it. Our morning quickly turned into a hands-on adventure in history and engineering as we assembled a Bombard, a Catapult, and a Ballista.

Assembling the Machines

With all the pieces laid out, Gabriel and I got to work. The instructions were detailed and precise, requiring careful attention as we assembled each part. Gabriel took charge of organising the components while I helped with some of the trickier fittings. The kit was brilliantly designed, with elastic bands providing the propulsion for each weapon—a nod to da Vinci’s clever use of mechanics.

As we built, we couldn’t help but marvel at the ingenuity of the designs. Each piece seemed to teach us something about the principles of engineering. Gabriel loved learning how the tension from the elastic bands created the energy to launch projectiles, and it was amazing to see his curiosity light up as we discussed how these machines might have been used in history.

Testing Our Creations

Once all three machines were assembled, it was time for the real fun: testing them! We set up a little target range in the living room and loaded up our Bombard, Catapult, and Ballista with soft projectiles. Gabriel’s eyes lit up as he pulled back the Ballista’s firing mechanism and let it fly, sending a mini projectile zooming across the room.

Each machine had its own charm—the Catapult was Gabriel’s favourite, with its dramatic arc and satisfying launch, while I was partial to the Bombard’s simple but effective design. We tested how far and how accurately each one could fire, turning it into a bit of a friendly competition.

Learning Through Play

Beyond the fun of building and testing, this kit gave Gabriel a deeper appreciation for the creativity and brilliance of da Vinci’s inventions. It combined history, science, and play in the best way possible, sparking questions and conversations as we worked together.

By the time the morning was over, we had a table full of working models, a new understanding of engineering, and plenty of laughs from our test runs.

This Christmas gift turned out to be more than just a kit—it was a brilliant way to learn, create, and connect. I have no doubt they’ll see plenty of action in the weeks to come!