CONSTRUCTION / MECHANICAL KITS

Snap Circuits™ has added Brics, their name for little plastic building blocks that are, luckily, compatible with Lego, those other little, inerlocking plastic building blocks you have. This award-winning 225-piece Bric Essentials set has sheets and blocks plus Snap Circuits connectors, blinking and steady LEDs, a slide switch, a fiber-optic bundle, an incandescent bulb and a melody integrated circuit, along with adapter blocks to mate the Snap Circuits components with the brics. Has instructions to make over 25 projects, including a house and a tower, on the 10” x 5” base. You add a trio of “AA” batteries. For ages 8+. Winner of Six Toy of the Year Awards! ages 8 to 108. A great gift for the Lego Lover!

Before robots take over completely, it might be a good idea to learn a little about how they work. Start with this Elenco® Joysticks Robotic Arm Kit. After building it, you’ll understand mechanical basics and be able to watch the inner parts working in tandem (mechanical rods, planetary gears and transmission) as you control the arm’s (4) axes in (8) different directions simultaneously and easily with (2) joysticks. Pick up objects of different sizes and shapes with the convertible (2)- and (4)-claw grippers. Fully constructed, the machine measures approx 20” long x 10-1/2” high x 6-1/2” wide. Requires (2) “D” batteries, not included, but we’ve got them for you. Ages 10+

Teaching a kid how to manage time—hey, that’s up to you—but this wind-up clock kit teaches kids the basic mechanical principles of gears and pendulums. Clock has a clear body, approx 7-3/4” dia x 1” deep with a 1/2” tall base, and individually colored gears for easy identification. It’s spring-driven, so no batteries are needed. Bell "dings" in 15-minute intervals. Tweaking the pendulum mounting, and tuning it, takes a little focus. Ages 6-10. ! WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD–Small Parts. Not for children under 3 yrs.

The secret is in the gears. This 185-piece kit from UGEARS® assembles in 2-3 hours without glue or tools, and results in an 8-compartment box. Opening the lid activates (3) main blocks to the side and front. A third block moves a lower drawer with (6) compartments, while a secret button on the back opens (2) secret compartments. Includes a locking latch. No doubt about it—this box is fancy, festooned with myriad floral and ornamental design elements. Completed box will measure approx 11” x 8-3/4” x 8”. Made in Ukraine. For ages 14+.

It doesn't get much cooler in the robotic-arm-kit game. The assembled STEM educational arm is 15" tall x 9" long x approx 3-1/2" wide. It's 2-pronged hand opens to 1-3/4", lifts up to 3.5 oz (100g), swings 120 degrees at the wrist, pivots 300 degrees at the elbow, and sits on a base that swings 180 degrees up and down and rotates 270 degrees, like, well, an arm. Controlled by (5) 2-axis joy-sticks and powered by (4) D-Cell batteries that you provide. Includes a hand-mounted search light and over-torque and gear-breakage alarms, which is more than your arm has. Requires a diagonal cutter and Philips screwdriver for assembly of its 200+ pieces and is made for ages 12 and up.

Make a whole bunch of fun and instructive Lego® machines/chain reaction models like marble runs and mousetraps involving ramps, buckets, funnels balances and much more. Comes with (33) Lego® elements, (6) Lego® balls, a dozen paper props, and a 78-page instruction booklet for (10) machines. You add a few common household items. Includes suggestions for more complicated devices if you have your own Lego® pieces, and if you don't, what are you waiting for? Ages 8+.

Wood or wooden you like to never see another pun on wood or wooden? Too bad--we’re not even trying to quit. Meanwhile, you can try this wooden wiggling fish. Made from laser-cut pieces that you peg or glue together, it will measure about 10-1/4” x 8-1/4” x 4-3/8” when finished. Comes with an instruction booklet, glue, sandpaper and wax.

This Lego® set from Klutz has (58) pieces, including gear wheels, bricks, axles and connectors to build (11) gadgets, including a claw, catapult, assorted vehicles, robots, a fan and a hand-held blender thingy. Includes a 78-page manual with detailed instructions and a plethora of punch-out paper parts for added verisimilitude. For ages 8+, or anyone else who knows what plethora and verisimilitude mean.

Right after you build your own working medieval catapult or trebuchet. All you’ll need is glue, scissors and a steady hand (plus a small bag of marbles or rocks or something as a counterweight for the trebuchet) to construct these wooden, Canadian-made siege engine kits. The catapult stands 6” tall x 5” wide x 10” long and will toss assorted stuff 15 feet or farther, depending upon the stuff. The finished trebuchet will be 26” long x 18” wide x 24” tall and will propel small objects (meatballs?) 20 feet or more. Both include detailed instructions and are great resources for STEM activities. For ages 9+. Note: Please don’t propel small mammals, and please don’t put anyone’s eye out.

UGears® is the model company that specializes is wooden steampunk versions of otherwise simple objects, perfect for perfectionist painstakers who revel in constructing complicated kits. (You know who you are.) In this case, you pick: the (43) piece Steampunk Clock, a beautiful collection of gears, lacy ornament, flowers, stars and a moon that you make into an imitation clock approx 2" x 3" x 5" when done; or the Wheel Organizer, the world's most delightfully complicated desktop pencil and pen holder. The (51) parts include wheels, gears and slots that deliver the pencil of choice when you turn the big ship-like wheel. Finished model will be 4-1/3" x 3-1/2" x 3-2/3". No glue or special tools needed, and you can paint or stain them if you like.

From Metal Earth®, the people who make shiny metal 3D models, now comes the Doctor Who T.A.R.D.I.S. metal model. All punch-outs with no glue or soldering required. 1-5/8” square x 3-1/4” tall. And if you don’t know what Tardis is, you should probably be catching up on classic British Sci-Fi. These are challenging models, so they're rated for all ages over 14.

Build one yourself and learn about pneumatic and hydraulic technology in the process. The Thames & Kosmos® Mega Cyborg Hand kit is 2020 Astra Best Toys for Kids winner comes with a (52)-page color manual, (203) pieces and (5) experiments. The detachable thumb makes it left- or right-handed, although it's always going to have just (3) fingers, which is all robotic paws really need. Hand is adjustable to 160 degrees, and every finger adjusts to different angles, too, for precision movement. Control knob allows for up to 70-degree extension. No motors or batteries needed—just hydraulics and your own hand. You add some common household tools for assembly. Ages 7+..

This amazing STEM kit from Thames & Kosmos explores physics in a fun, visual way that’s like a day in the park—the amusement park. Kids design and build working roller coaster models, and conduct hands-on physics experiments to learn about force, motion, energy and friction. They can complete challenges to build coasters of different shapes and sizes, and then let adjustable-weight cars scream through the tracks. Includes a durable, re-usable building system that’s easy to assemble and take apart. Contains (305) pieces and (20) experiments in a (32)-page, full-color manual, which includes engineering design challenges and a wealth of information on designing coasters. For ages 6+ with help, or 8+ for kids who want to try it alone. !WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD–Small Parts. Not for children under 3 yrs.

From Smartivity®, the company that makes DIY toys that moonlight as STEAM teachers, this Pinball Table kit is made of re-engineered laser-cut wood (recyclable, non-toxic and sustainable), and is assembled using only rubber bands, with no glue required. Fun to build and play, and based on principles of gravity, centrifugal force and geometry. The finished game measures appx. 9” x 12”. For ages 8+

From Elenco®, than whom nobody is cleverer, this MECH5 kit--a STEM kit--will make (5) robots, all of which use a mechanical coding wheel instead of software. They perform tasks, including forward, back 45 or 90 degrees, left or right turns, and modes to make bots draw circles, throw or push a ball, grip things, or act as a forklift. You add (2) “AAA” batteries for the small DC motor. Kit has (220+) pieces and the finished bots will be approx 6” tall. Ages 10+, but it’s intricate enough to need some adult help unless the kid is a genuine whiz-bang.

That's what Emma Lazarus called Lady Liberty in the poem at her feet, and this model is a mighty good way to give the kids a little history lesson. Made of long-lasting foam, she’ll stand approx 20” tall when complete on her base. You punch out the pieces--inside a book also chock full of facts about the statue--and slot them together without glue.

It’s every kid’s dream, ain’t it, to build their own robot? Or gator, helicopter or owl? Whatever the tykes in your life dream of building, Engino® Qboidz™ has them covered. Each of these multi-award-winning 8-in-1 kits uses plastic bricks that snap together to build (1) of (8) possible models. That’s the official tally, but kids can mix and match kits to build even more with these STEM-inspired toys. Includes full color instructions for (2) models and a free download allows you to view and manipulate the other (6) multi-colored 3D models on smart devices. We have (3) sets and we’ll pick a great one for you. Ages 3-6. ! WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD–Small Parts. Not for children under 3 yrs.

The Indy 500 dropped that “Gentlemen” intro years ago, and so do we for the start of the most exciting marble-maze run this side of wherever the other most exciting marble-maze run is held. The (100)-piece Marble Mania® HOTSHOT construction set won the Top Toy of the Year award from Creative Child Magazine. Includes a marble launcher, windmill drop, gears, multiple track styles and a color manual. Finished set is a foot and a half tall, unless you design your own bigger version. Ages 8+.!WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD–Small Parts. Not for children under 3 yrs.