Prepare to enjoy the sense of achievement that comes from building your own music box. This classic Merry-Go-Round (carousel) design will have you reminiscing about days long gone but not forgotten. Pass this joy onto the next generation, or build it yourself and enjoy the memories, as it merrily plays out its tune.

This is a great parent/grandparent & child project to build together during holidays or over a wet weekend. They’re also popular with adults who enjoy hands-on activities. The instructions are easy to follow and everything you need is supplied.

When finished, you’re left with a music box to treasure for many years. It’s operated by a supplied key and plays the tune You Are My Sunshine.

Build Difficulty

Easy ★★☆☆☆
59 pieces
Average build time: 3 ½ hours

Kit Contents

3 pre-painted wooden sheets
Various wooden, metal and paper parts
Music box
Glue
Sandpaper
Wooden postcard
Illustrated instructions

Specifications

Model number: AM304
UPC: 6946785105636
Music: You Are My Sunshine
Assembled size: 17.0 cm (h) x 7.3 cm (w) x 8.0 cm (d)
Model weight: 250 grams
Packaging dimensions: 23.5 cm (h) x 15.7 cm (w) x 6.5 cm (d)
Packaged weight: 390 grams

Warnings

Not a toy - keep out of reach of children under 3.
Includes small parts that are a potential choking hazard.

Build your own music box!

Other hobbies will seem boring after you’ve entered the world of model building. This merry-go-round music box is a delight to build and using it will bring many years of enjoyment.

Yes - it merrily goes round

Those horses aren’t just for show. Turn the key and you’ll not only be rewarded with a lovely tune, but the horses and top star will come alive, rotating just like a real-life merry-go-round.

Fun & easy to build

Once built, you’re left with a fun music box to share your shelf space for many years. However we think the best part is building it. Whether you simply enjoy hands-on activities or you need a therapeutic break from life, the construction process is a happy balance between keeping you interested without the need of an engineering degree.

Wooden sheets from model showing ease of parts removal

No additional tools required

Building your music box is a snap - literally. Just pop out the parts and either snap them or glue them into place. Some wood glue and a small screwdriver (to attach the music box) is supplied, so nothing further is required.

Includes wooden postcard

Once assembled, display it proudly on your shelf or write a message on the included wooden postcard and give it to a friend.

Collect the set

The fun of building your own music box doesn’t have to stop here. There are more quirky creations to add to your collection or to share with others.

FAQs

What could possibly go wrong?

Building the kit is pretty straight-forward; you remove the parts and then snap or glue them into place. However all model building requires skill. If you’re not careful, you could damage the parts during removal, lose parts or install parts the wrong way round. Some parts are delicate and can get damaged if you apply too much pressure. As with any skill, the more you practice and the more experience you have, the better the result. Take your time and enjoy the journey.

What is the minimum recommend age to build the merry-go-round?

10 - but builders at this age are likely to need some help. Children aged 14+ are more likely to be able to build independently.

What is the maximum recommend age to build the merry-go-round?

The kit is designed for all ages, so if you love hands-on activities then don’t let age stop you. It helps if you have steady hands and decent eyesight. The writing on the instructions and some parts is small, so if you’ve hit middle-age, you’ll need your reading glasses on.

How does the music box work?

A key is supplied that fits through the side of the completed kit into the music box. Give it a few turns and enjoy the music. A shaft is fitted to the top of the music box that makes the merry-go-round, go round.

Can I store stuff in the music box?

No - this is not a ballerina type music box with an opening lid. You might be tempted to leave the top of the box unglued and remove it as desired, but whatever stuff you put in there is likely to interfere with the operation of the music box.

Do I need to paint it?

No - the music box parts are pre-painted.

Do all the parts need to be glued?

Some do, but other parts just snap into place. The instructions indicate when to use glue. Some wood glue is included in the kit.

Do the parts need to be sanded?

The parts on some wooden model kits can be slightly rough on the edges and on those occasions it's recommended that you give them a light sanding. However with most parts in this kit, this is unnecessary. Occasionally when you remove parts, they might not detach from the sheets cleanly, leaving a tiny burr. You can remove this using the supplied sandpaper.

Is the finished kit fragile?

It should be okay if it topples over. However if it’s dropped from a height then I don’t like your chances. I’ve also sadly discovered that it is a bad idea to let a younger child operate it, because they take delight in stopping the moving parts by hand, which can irreparably damage your handiwork.