Help me build a spaceship

[BeagleFaceHenry]

I'm not really making a spaceship. I'm going to make a spaceship control panel/game for my 2 boys. I saw THIS the other day on Reddit (and a few others in the past) and I got inspired.
I'm going to make 2 interactive control panels that can combine to make a simple game. The project will include several components, but nothing too complicated; relays, timers, etc. I know I have the skills to stumble through this myself but I don't think my finished product will be as awesome as I'm envisioning.
I was hoping someone out there might be interested in helping me out? I think my idea is pretty great, you might want to make one yourself. I'm an engineer with logic programming and CAD skills but only basic-intermediate electronics skills. I'm hoping someone can:
1. Answer basic electronic questions along the way (fine tuning a timer, basic relays, power distribution, etc)
2. Suggest sourcing (which relay should I buy? Am I picking the best caps?)
3. Help me keep this thing functional, stable, and economical.

Reply or drop me a line if this sounds like your idea of a good time.
Thanks for making this far.
-jaimie

 

[AnalogKid]

Start with a block diagram of the basic functional blocks, then block diagrams of those blocks' internal structures.

ak

 

[(*steve*)]

I have some connectors labeled as being parts for the space station

 

[shrtrnd]

I built some of these for my kids many years ago.
My recommendation, with all of the new kid gadgets out there, is to try to integrate the cheaper already-built stuff
into this, as the fancy stuff in cheap Chinese toys is more eye-popping than DIY stuff I built from scratch.
My kids especially liked any flashing light stuff, and sound effects.