Online Resources

Getting Started:
 Animations demonstrating moving mechanisms (i.e. gears, cranks, cams...)
animations of mechanisms
another set of animations of mechanisms
animations of complex mechanisms

Great site for beginner through advanced project. Tutorials and supplies.
sparkfun.com

Another site with a lot of tutorials. Also supplies and kits.
makershed.com


Examples of Mechanisms:

Kiwico sells kits for kids and adults. Looking at their projects online can give you ideas for mechanisms:
Kiwico
They have videos on youtube of various projects i.e. an automaton video of project
Robives.com: animations of mechanisms
http://robives.com/mechs

On youtube, lookup Ralph Steiner Mechanisms i.e.:
Ralph Steiner Video

Technology Student: more animations of mechanisms and helpful tips
http://technologystudent.com/cams/camdex.htm

Bird Wing Mechanism
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NkIrvgo44s 

Mechanism Used by Theo Jansen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NM4q-f68TlY 

More Mechanisms
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=mkQ2pXkYjRM

Gear Template Generator
Gear Templates

Resource for Attaching Materials http://www.thistothat.com/

Tips for Making Electronics
http://littlebits.cc/category/tips-tricks