Product Review: K'Nex

When I was contacted to do a review of the new K'Nex Dueling Racers and Cool Construction, I was excited because I am the mother of a serious builder. My 10-year-old son processes things while building and designing. It's his relaxation. Building has been an important part of his personality since he stacked his first blocks one on top of the other to make a precarious tower. My daughter is not necessarily a serious builder, but she's always up for anything fun and the fact that the K'Nex products come in handy little carrying cases sold her immediately.

Wild Thing was very keen to try out the Cool Construction set while Max was all over the Dueling Racers.

Cool Construction: Perfect for would-be builders, this 10-model set lets little ones create their very own construction set, complete with lifts, cranes and other yellow construction trucks. Packaged in a convenient carrying case, Cool Construction is designed for kids ages 5-7 yrs. Price: $9.99.

My daughter's assessment of the Construction set:

I like them except they are very losable. They are very fun to play with! I liked building them and I like pretending to drive it. I pretend that it can fly. It was pretty easy to put together, but the very last thing you can make is kind of hard. The instructions were easy to follow.

My assessment of the Construction set:

I think once a child gets the hang of how to put the pieces together, the overall ease of building is easy. It took Wild Thing a few minutes to understand the directions because there aren't any words. They are all pictures and the shaded areas are the parts you're working on. Once she figured that out she was on a roll. She absolutely loved building all the construction vehicles and really did fly them all over the room. She was so proud that she built something along side her brother.

Dueling Racers: Speed-minded youngsters can build their very own motorized race cars! The set includes instructions to build four batter-powered race cars (two at a time), and comes complete with 132 pieces, 2 motors, as well as K’NEX rods, connectors and bricks. For ages 7+ yrs. Price: $19.99.

My son's assessment of the Dueling Racers:

I liked the K'Nex because it was really easy to build and the instructions were easy to follow. I also like that you can build two models at once. And then you can race them. The two things I didn't like were 1) you can only add on to one car at a time and 2) you have to buy batteries for the motors.

My assessment of the Dueling Racers:

Watching my son build his racer was entertainment for me. He was so intent on his racer the rest of the world just sort of disappeared. I could practically see the wheels turning as he pictured new ways to enhance his car. It's so cool he can actually race the car he built.

The evening we spent working together to build each of these models was amazing. We laughed and we thought and we oooo'd and ahhhhed over each model built. Both of my kids encouraged each other. Since then, my kids have pulled out the K'Nex models several times to see what new thing they can imagine. I love that!

You know what else I love? The K'Nex beliefs:

• We believe that the company can be financially successful while behaving in a socially and environmentally responsible manner.
• We believe that our product, K'NEX, is unique and worthwhile; that it is capable of enriching the lives of those who use it, both through pure enjoyment and through its educational impact; and that these genuine qualities must be sustained with all the innovation and creativity we can muster.
• We believe that K'NEX is as safe as human ingenuity can make it, and we must make this intrinsic in every design we devise and publish.
• We believe that the company has a responsibility to provide a safe and fulfilling work environment, and an opportunity to grow and learn.

That's a company I can support. Having tried their products, I'm doubly sold. I highly recommend the K'Nex products, specifically the Dueling Racers and Cool Construction sets. They are reasonably priced, they are fun to build, and they inspire imagination. I love it!

Want to try them out for yourself? Bloggy Giveaways is hosting a K'nex giveaway this week. Check it out!

Comments

[My Twenty Cents Keeps Moving]

Umm where are the little chili peppers? :)

[Joyful Days]

What a great company to do a review for. We love K'nex here. Sounds like everyone had a great time.

[Shalee]

Dude! You've got to tell me how you get in on these fabulous review items. I just get things like cereal or petitions to do lots of books...

[Kellyn]

We love K'Nex too. The kids can play with these for hours, and never fight...at all. It is a miracle toy in our house.

[Genny]

Thanks for the useful review...my son is a builder too. Your kids did a good job!

[Nikki]

The Kid K'Nex are really fun for the younger set - 3-7 years old. My kids got a set last summer at GranGran's house and were totally immersed for an entire weekend. We've added to the collection at home so we can build all kinds of animals/pals/vehicles, etc. Not too expensive - on sale a lot at Walgreens 3 sets for $12 - makes a great gift!

[joan o]

Wow how cool. I want to try

[HolyMama!]

favorite part of this post: when your kid says it's 'losable.'

i have often not bought great toys based sheerly on how losable the pieces appear.