Searching "child modeling" kinda backfired.
LOL There are a load of places that do 12mm scifi, and that's cheap and fun. Somewhere like this:
http://www.miniaturefigurines.co.uk/Catalogue.aspx?ScaleID=14&CategoryID=64&SubCategoryID=354
[–] noblefool 0 points 3 points 3 points (+3|-0) ago
Your first mistake is using "Models" Instead of miniatures / minis, but at any rate. . . If you don't mind fantasy, there's a ton of DND miniatures (Pathfinder included in that as well). Other scifi series have their own mini backings as well, like star wars has at least five different miniatures based games that I can think of off of the top of my head. Quite a few board games come with unpainted (And often unassembled) miniatures as well. An example of this would be Shadows over Brimstone, but board games are REALLY pricey if you're only buying them for the models. I haven't looked in depth, but I'm sure you can find some budget generic minis somewhere.
[–] parrygrin 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
I second the Pathfinder idea. There really is a limit to how much the money damage can be, and if they get really into it, they...read a shitload, and get decent at doing low level math quickly and accurately. Far preferable to the vagaries of Magic card day trading.
And I've no experience with it myself, but I've heard good things about: http://www.nothankyouevil.com
[–] enormousatom ago
Go here and you can get custom made miniatures for a lot less than 40k stiff already painted and everything. Or get them plain. Best part is kids can design them on the pc and they come in the mail.
https://www.heroforge.com/