The Kid K’Nex crafts are bigger than some photos make them look.
K’NEX Kid Farmin’ Friends Set – Size
Waffle Blocks Giant
We used about 1800 pieces building this Malysh waffle blocks giant.
Waffle blocks are very popular type of plastic building blocks. In these sets, each piece have pegs and square holes, and you can connect pieces in multiple ways to build both 2D and 3D crafts. The bricks connect to each other seamlessly, almost like in a jigsaw puzzle, so you can make endless combinations in any order you want. There are many brands of waffle building blocks, Gakken and Plus Plus are the most popular and well-known ones. This, however, is rarer Malysh waffle blocks set.
Blocks by different manufacturers may look different. In Plus Plus sets, for example, all blocks are exactly the same, the only difference is color. This old ex-USSR set, however, has pieces of differnet shapes, and some extras, like figurines or wheels. There are also a number of long, bar-like pieces that help connect waffle blocks together. You can stack many waffles on one bar, which helps to create thick and solid crafts.
The waffle blocks themselves are small, each side of a block has only one or two pegs. Some blocks has H-shape and no pegs at all on some sides. This is a downside, because you can’t connect anything on these sides. Sometimes, however, these pieces are very handy, because you can stuck them in small openings to support the craft around it. It all other regards, it is a typical waffle block building kit with small pieces.
Transportation
Genii Creation – Transportation. Sample pictures from the booklet.
The Cubic Ball
Yet another proof of magnets’ power – this 3D sculpture holds together, and you can take carry it from one place to another without breaking it.
Clics Bulldozer
A bulldozer we made from a big Clics set.
ClicsToys is a Belgian company that was established in 2001. It makes the well-known Clics building blocks in its own factory in Kempen. Clics building sets have square pieces of identical form and shape. They easily connect at their edges, creating joints you can move.
With These plastic squares, you can create surfaces and fold them into 3D shapes. There are endless possibilities, even though Clics have very few extra pieces and accessories. Some sets have wheels and decorative panels, but this is pretty much it. On the other hand, Clics sets usually have many pieces, so you can create something truly complicated from just one set.
Since the basic pieces of Clics are squares, all the basic forms you can assemble from it are cubic or brick-like. However, thanks to the movable joints, you can assemble them at different angles, creating different shapes.
There are ways to create triangular or sloping figures if you assemble the pieces just right. The cubes, however, are the most sturdy and reliable structures this set can offer. There are also a possibility of creating a flat mosaic, combining the pieces of different colors.
A snail, a giraffe, and the trash
The giraffe (on the right) and the snail (on the left) discuss the importance of disposing of trash in garbage bins (one of them is orange with a yellow lid). Alesya brings another batch of trash on a special cart. Such is the eco-zoo conversation. Clean and tidy.
The Magnet Bag
A handbag made from magnetic balls. Now it resides on my fridge.
Qubits Parts Connection
This photo shows a possible connection of Qubits parts – edge to edge. Sadly, there is no way to connect pieces edge to edge and form a flat structure, these pieces will always form an angle. The only way to make a flat things is to use sockets in the pieces’ surfaces.
Qubits is a small toy brand making very interesting and unusual building sets. Qubits sets have only two types of pieces – rectangular planks and multi-triangular pieces.
The multi-triangular pieces look like they are made from many connected triangles. They can connect to each other with the matching holes and pegs in the triangles’ centers. Each of these pieces has the same shape, but, connecting and overlapping, they create strong, flexible openwork structures. They can create any shapes and forms, flat or 3D. However, triangular shapes are the most sturdy and resilient ones.
There are also rectangular pieces, that can connect with multi-triangular ones both with the edges and with the openings on their surfaces. These pieces can also connect to each other. Both shapes come in multiple colors, often random, colors. Together, these two shapes can create many surprising and fascinating crafts. Sadly, Qubits have no extra pieces like wheels, so the number of moving crafts and toys is somewhat limited.
Qubits are big enough to be safe even for toddlers. However, these sets can be confusing for the smaller children, so the recommended age is 6+.
Tegu Explorer Set – Cons
In the new Tegu set – Explorer Set – we found a lot of disadvantages. Which is dissapointing, since the Tegu constructor isn’t exactly cheap… The composition of the set is wonderful. But with the location of the magnets, the inventors obviously did not finalize. So, for example, small and large trapezoids in the sets contain only 1 magnet each on the sides, and its only + and – . Because of this, when assembling a triangular roof from trapezoids, you can’t put it together completely, no matter how you connect the pieces (we experimented with them all). It will always be a discrepancy somewhere, either 2 minuses or 2 pluses will be put against each other. Or it will stand crooked, as in the photo. Very annoying…
Iotobo Sea Creatures
Mysterious sea creatures, made from Iotobo Mandala set.
