Model Kit Gift Guide – Find the Perfect Gift
Don’t know anything about model kits? That’s absolutely fine.
Buying a model kit as a gift is easier than you might think.
You don’t need to understand scales, manufacturers, paints or modelling tools. If you know what the person likes – cars, motorbikes, aircraft, tanks, ships, motorsport, films or simply building things – we can help you find a model kit they will enjoy.
Kent Models stocks more than 1,200 different plastic model kits from leading manufacturers around the world, including rare and hard-to-find Japanese kits. Whether you are looking for an affordable birthday present, a Christmas gift, Father’s Day present or something special for a car, bike or aviation enthusiast, there is a model kit to suit almost every interest and budget.
Make it a complete gift
Most plastic model kits need a few basic extras before they can be built, such as model glue and a small selection of paints.
If you are buying for someone who doesn’t already make models, we recommend adding a few simple essentials with the kit. That way, when they open their present they can actually start building it rather than discovering they need to buy glue, paint or tools first.
Many model kit boxes show the recommended paint colours, and where possible we have also added these colours to the individual product page. You can select the paints you need and add them with the kit as a 10% saving bundle, making it much easier to buy everything together.
A great first model-making gift can therefore be as simple as:
1 model kit + model glue + a few basic paints + simple modelling essentials
That’s enough to give them everything they need to enjoy their first build without making the gift complicated.
What Are They Interested In?
The easiest way to choose a model kit gift is simply to start with what they already love.
Cars
Perfect for anyone interested in cars, motorsport, classics, supercars or modified vehicles.
Choose from Japanese JDM cars, classic British and European cars, American muscle cars, supercars, Formula 1 cars, rally cars and famous racing machines.
Brands include Tamiya, Aoshima, Fujimi, Hasegawa, Beemax, NuNu, Revell and many more.
Once you’ve chosen the car, check the product page for the recommended paints and add some model glue or basic building essentials to turn it into a complete gift.
Motorbikes
A great gift for motorcycle owners, racing fans and anyone passionate about bikes.
Choose from Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Ducati and other famous manufacturers, including road bikes, classic motorcycles, superbikes and racing machines.
Add the recommended colours and some model glue so they have what they need to start building straight away.
SHOP MOTORBIKE MODEL KIT GIFTS
Aircraft
Ideal for aviation enthusiasts, history fans and anyone fascinated by aircraft.
Choose from WW2 fighters and bombers, modern fighter jets, helicopters, commercial aircraft and famous aviation subjects.
A kit with glue and a few of the main recommended paint colours makes an easy complete present for a first-time builder.
Tanks & Military Vehicles
A popular choice for military history enthusiasts.
Our range includes tanks, armoured vehicles, military motorcycles, aircraft, figures and diorama kits covering WW2 through to modern military subjects.
Choose the kit first, then add model glue and a small selection of the main colours shown on the product page.
Ships & Naval Models
Perfect for naval, maritime and military history enthusiasts.
Choose from battleships, aircraft carriers, cruisers, destroyers, submarines and other famous naval vessels.
Add a basic glue and paint selection if you are buying for someone who does not already have modelling supplies.
Trucks & Commercial Vehicles
Know someone who loves lorries, trucks or working vehicles?
We stock detailed truck, trailer, commercial vehicle and construction model kits from leading manufacturers.
Pair the kit with glue and a few basic colours and you’ve got an unusual gift they can start enjoying straight away.
Film, TV & Famous Vehicles
A brilliant option when you know their favourite film or television programme but know nothing about modelling.
Our range includes famous vehicles and subjects from Star Wars, James Bond, Back to the Future, Batman, Knight Rider, Thunderbirds, Top Gun, Fast & Furious, Initial D and more.
Choose something they instantly recognise, then add the basic modelling essentials if this is likely to be their first kit.
SHOP FILM & TV MODEL KIT GIFTS
Buying Their First Model Kit?
Make their first build easy.
If the person has never built a plastic model before, our Beginner Model Kits & Starter Sets are the safest place to start.
We’ve selected kits that are suitable for newcomers, including straightforward builds and starter sets that may already include paints, glue or other useful modelling essentials.
If the kit doesn’t include these items, don’t worry. Simply add:
- Model glue
- A small selection of the main recommended paint colours
- A few basic modelling tools or one of our simple modelling essentials products
You don’t need to buy every specialist tool or every paint colour listed. For somebody’s first model, the aim is simply to give them enough to build and enjoy it without having to immediately go shopping for missing supplies.
Many kits have their required paint codes printed on the side of the box, and we also add these recommendations to the product page wherever possible.
Simply choose the paints you want and add them with the model kit using our 10% saving paint bundle.
The Easy Gift Formula
Not sure what to buy? Keep it simple.
For someone new to modelling, we recommend:
1. Choose a model kit they will recognise and like
Their favourite car, bike, aircraft, tank, ship or movie vehicle is usually the easiest choice.
2. Add model glue
Most traditional plastic model kits need glue for assembly.
3. Add a few basic paints
You don’t need dozens of colours for a first build.
Choose the main body colour and a few useful colours recommended on the product page. Many kits show the exact paint codes on the box.
4. Add basic modelling essentials
A simple modelling product or starter tool set makes the gift much more usable without making things complicated.
That’s it.
You’ve now given them a complete activity rather than just a box of plastic parts.
Save 10% When You Add Recommended Paints
When a model kit requires specific colours, we aim to show the recommended paints on the product page.
Many manufacturers print the required paint codes on the side of the model kit box, and we use this information to make buying the correct colours easier.
Simply select the paints you want to add alongside the kit and you can receive a 10% saving when purchased as a bundle.
You don’t necessarily need every colour listed to get started. For a first-time modeller, choosing the main colours is often enough to make the gift enjoyable without overwhelming them.
How Much Should You Spend?
You don’t need to spend a fortune to buy a good model kit gift.
Under £20
Great for stocking fillers, smaller presents and somebody trying model making for the first time.
Consider adding model glue if it isn’t included.
£20–£40
A huge choice of cars, bikes, aircraft, military models and other kits sits within this price range.
Adding glue and a few paints can turn a £25–£30 kit into a really complete present.
£40–£60
Ideal when you want something a little more substantial, unusual or detailed.
Add the recommended paints or modelling essentials to create a gift they can start using straight away.
£60+
For larger, more complex or special model kits that make an impressive main present.
If the recipient already builds models, they may already own the tools and paints they need. If they’re new to the hobby, consider adding a basic modelling set too.
Buying for Someone Who Already Builds Models?
If they already enjoy model making but you don’t know which kits they own, there are plenty of useful gifts that almost every modeller can use.
Model Making Tools
Cutters, knives, tweezers, sanding products, brushes and other useful modelling equipment.
Model Paints
Choose from hundreds of model colours, primers, spray paints and specialist finishes from leading brands including Mr Hobby and Tamiya.
Airbrush Equipment
Airbrushes, compressors, spray booths and accessories make excellent gifts for experienced modellers looking to improve their painting.
Display Cases
A finished model deserves to be displayed. Our clear model display cases are available for popular car, motorcycle and ship scales.
Still Don’t Know What to Choose?
Give them a Kent Models Gift Card
If they already build models and you have no idea which kits, paints or tools they already own, a Kent Models Gift Card removes the guesswork completely.
Simply choose the amount you would like to give and let them pick exactly what they want from our complete range of model kits, paints, tools and accessories.
It’s also an ideal last-minute gift.
Why Buy a Model Kit as a Gift?
A plastic model kit is more than something to unwrap.
It gives the recipient a project to enjoy, something to build with their own hands and a finished model they can keep and display afterwards.
For someone who loves cars, motorcycles, aircraft, military history, motorsport, engineering or making things, a model kit can be a far more personal gift than another generic present.
And because you can choose a model based on something they already love – perhaps their favourite car, motorcycle, aircraft or racing machine – you don’t need to be a modeller yourself to choose something meaningful.
The key is to make sure they can actually enjoy it when they open it.
For somebody new to model making, a kit, glue, a few basic paints and simple modelling essentials can turn a good present into a complete hobby experience.
Need Some Help?
If you are still unsure, don’t worry.
Tell us what the person is interested in, roughly how much you would like to spend and whether they already build models, and the Kent Models team can help point you towards suitable choices.
If they’re completely new to modelling, we can also help you choose the basic glue, paints and essentials needed to go with the kit.
CONTACT KENT MODELS FOR GIFT ADVICE
Or choose the completely risk-free option:
Ready to Find Their Gift?
Choose their interest, choose a model kit, add a few essentials and you’re done.
With more than 1,200 model kits plus paints, glue, tools and accessories available, Kent Models makes it easy to find an unusual and complete gift for car enthusiasts, motorcycle fans, aviation enthusiasts, military history fans and model makers.
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