Medieval Times made Fun with Pitsco

Pitsco Education – Company

Medieval Machines Pack – Product

Price:  $21.95

As a reviewer for The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Crew, I usually have heard of the companies that we get to review for.  That was not the case this time.  Pitsco Education is a company that has been around for 40 years and has a variety of fun educational sets.

Have you ever heard of a catapult?  Probably have, right?  

Well, what about a trebuchet?   Years ago at a science share, we saw one built by a fellow homeschool student.  My kids have loved them since then. 

A trebuchet is a medieval siege machine that was used as a weapon.  They would load large items into the bucket and then throw them at the enemy.

The company has  put together several kit and curriculum packages specifically for Homeschoolers. The one I received is called Medieval Machines Pack.

It includes a Trebuchet Kit, a Catapult Kit, the Siege Machines book, and counterweights for the Trebuchet. I also received box of Klean Clay used to make projectiles for the kits. The package of clay is sold separately from this particular kit. To build the kit we needed everyday household items including  glue, scissors and a ruler. Super glue is recommended so I did have to go buy some of that. The Siege Machines book includes several different STEM activities to work through.

I think this is a great price for a very well made toy.  We received this combination pack.  Pitsco also has many other really neat kits like the Blast Off Flight Pack and Snap Circuit Green Alternative Energy Kit.  I think you could do your entire science curriculum using the kits from Pitcso. 

The kits help science (for us) come to life.  My kids learn so much better when they have something to go along with the curriculum.  Pitsco really brings science to life.

The kids were very excited to get this package.  Of course, they knew they couldn’t build it until I took pictures.  They get this homeschool crew thing.  Unfortunately, their father does not.

I went grocery shopping and came home to David completing the catapult.   Now, if he read directions that would be okay.  But, he’s a man that thinks directions are for women. 

(This woman usually has to help him figure it out when he messes it up.)

Thankfully, Griffin knew there has to be pictures so he took some. 

Now, here you would think he was reading the directions, right? 

Nope, he said he glanced through them and “got it” so he threw them away. 

   Here is the parts for the catapult.  The pieces are precut which they liked.  The clay is used only for the object being thrown (in other words, the bomb). The scale is ours and did not come with the kit.

So, in not reading the directions, David glued (super glued, that is) two pieces together backwards.  He had to tear them apart and broke them.  Thankfully, he was able to glue them back together and it worked fairly well.

This is recommended for middle school through high school students.  I would love to tell you that my middle school student was able to build it.  But, his Daddy wouldn’t let him help.  He said it was way to hard for kids, he better do it himself.  This was totally just because he is such a kid.  

This is Bella’s contribution to the project.  She made a clay snowman.  He didn’t survive the launching though. LOL

I guess he did let Griffin help because he let him take the pictures.

We think these kits are great.  David said they were kind of hard to make but remember, he didn’t read the directions.

Now for the Trebuchet.  Again, he didn’t read the directions.  He broke another part and couldn’t fix it, so we have yet to  make the entire thing.  He is going to try to repair the part that he broke because the kids can’t wait to play with it. 

The catapult has held up very well.  They have thrown everything from an egg to legos.  They decided they wanted to make a video using this so here it is.  Their own Pitsco commercial.  The sound isn’t very loud but this is their first attempt at making a video by theirselves.  Bella says the phone number for Pitsco at the end and then Griffin says a disclaimer “No pigs or birds were injured in the making of this video.”  That is all for sound. They think the video says it all.  LOL

Our Family gives Time Timer

Smiley guide

1 Smiley - Product not really for our family. Probably wouldn’t buy. This really should probably be a frown face but we hate to be negative.

2 Smileys - Would maybe buy this product if on sale. Not a great fit for our family.

3 Smileys - We really liked this product and would probably recommend this to friends and fellow homeschoolers.

4 – Smileys – Definitely would buy this if the budget would allow. We suggest you check this out to see if it is a fit for your family.

5 Smileys – Would sell the family pets to get this one (just kidding). A must have for our family and we think you should get it too.
To see what my fellow crew mates have to say about this this product, click here.

For giveaways,and other great stuff, please check out the TOS Homeschool Crew blog by clicking below.

Please note: I received this product in exchange for my honest opinion in this review. No other compensation was provided. Thank you to Pitsco and TOS for this opportunity.