Today I just realized that K'nex sounds like the word "CONNECTS." My kid looked at me in horror. I think everyone knew this but me. photo: K'nex WHAT: K'nex: Introduction to Simple Machines Series - (review of all three sets) Wheels, Axles, and Inclined Planes Levers and Pulleys Gears DOES: a tool for parents and educators to help guide a child's curiosity about building and engineering with relative ease and little expertise INVEST: $39.99 MSRP AGES: Grades 3-5. Grown-up support and encouragement is advisable to get the most out of this kit. It may be possible to do this with a younger child, depending on interest and ability. TOOLS: Holiday/Birthday Build-Uponner, My Body Needs to Move, Think Like a Scientist/Engineer GIVEAWAY: Win the Gears set! It's Super Cool! U.S. Addresses Only please. Sorry to my northern neighbors. K'nex Sailboat as found in the Levers and Pulleys set. My son loves strings and of course he used this kit to make a zipline! photo: K'nex When it comes to building, Number 1 Son seems to have hit a plateau. He hasn't moved onto the baby engineering sets like I thought he would. He may have dabbled in them but I feel he is just a step above being acquainted with serious building. And that would be fine but I know him - the desire for more is still there. However, it appears now that the only thing he wants more of is the buying of more pre-designed sets. At this point, it seems like it is more about collecting all the cool pieces and licensed character sets and less about building and engineering. But what is a mother to do? Even if I tell him that I will buy him no more of such sets, that still only solves half the problem. When he masters a certain level of building, he has to move on but sometimes the emotions and confidence do not follow suit. I think many parents see this in their children and so they try to help their child by providing more difficult projects but instead of leaving them on their own, they stick around - sometimes to assist, sometimes to teach, and sometimes just to say nothing but be there "just in case." His first project. He made a flagpole go up! It made him very happy. As it got harder, he almost gave up but he still hasn't! Hooray! in Levers and Pulleys I know that grown-ups are all deserving of a break and toys should provide some sort of leave-me-alone-insurance to parents. I totally agree but I have to say that after becoming acquainted with the K'nex Introduction to Simple Machines sets, I am so glad that I chose to be an assistant, a silent cheerleader and teacher. I have seen that with the help of these sets, my son is able to learn basic engineering and that the level of difficulty can be mediated in varying degrees by a grown-up. What does that mean? K'nex is challenging but not so challenging that even a know-nothing like me can still be useful enough to help guide him to reach this next very ambitious level. So if you buy this for your child and he shows little interest and all he wants to do is dive into his stash of loose Legos or K'nex and make things that looked like things he made last year that even he is boring his own self, do not dismay! I've been there and if you really feel your child is ready then just break open that K'nex Intro to Simple Machines set (all three are great!) and start building the stuff yourself. (If you build it, they will come.....) And he did!! and then he made amazing things!!! Top Three Reasons to try the K'nex Introduction to Simple Machines You see here that there are two sets of instructions. The B/W guidebook that you print out from a CD inside the kit (VERY informative) or you can use the Cliff's Notes version with little words and lots of color. Thanks for giving us both options! Top Teaching at a Fair Price. Do not compare this to the 50 Model K'nex Classics building set ($34.99 MSRP) that looks very cool. Yes, there are 300 pieces and the largest of the machines set only has 221 pieces but if you are shopping by the piece then you will be doing yourself a disservice because the teaching is the real draw here. Whether you are using the colorful and brief booklet or the informative guidebook that provides a fully descriptive lesson according to the type of gear or pulley or axle being investigated - one thing is clear: It's all about machines. There is no room for distraction. By the way, it is not easy to find this kind of instruction at this level and at this price. Trust me, I've been looking and looking. Colors not only make it inviting but all the different sized pieces come in a specific color. That way, kids can easily follow the directions. So smart! From the Gears set. I think the hope is that maybe our kids will learn more and more so that they can start seeing things as a whole structure. Looking at the images in black and white helps us with that after we've finished building it. K'nex Classics Focus on Structure. Normally, I prefer it when blocks are uniform in color. David Wells, Manager, Creative Making and Learning, New York Hall of Scienceonce told me that when blocks are a uniform color, you can really see the structure. I totally agree but the one great thing about the K'nex Classics pieces is the each rod or connector piece has a specific color assigned to it. There can't be more then 15 different shapes and so it becomes easy to find which pieces you want so that you can keep the building flow steady. The pieces are also bigger so that the main challenge remains at the engineering and need not be a fine motor or visual discrimination challenge added on just to make you crazy. Basics are Basically Fun. None of the sets include motors but I think that when your child is ready, you can probably buy one to use for some of the models in the sets. It definitely is not a requirement and I would suggest that if your kid really wants one, then let him wait a little. If you see the video of the fan then you'll be able to see how a motor used a bit too early could steal the thunder of the initial discoveries to be made. I was so happy to see how he learned how to make modifications from the set but also from his own ideas. Still, motors are cool and so I think he'll be getting one someday. OOOOH! And one more thing! If you homeschool or are very serious in providing real lessons about these concepts, these instructions book inside the CDs in each of the sets are very informative. Read here about how K'nex creates their sets with national education standards in mind. All kids like wheelbarrows. Kids can line it paper, plastic, tin foil or playdough to make a functional basket! in Levers and Pulleys Photo: K'nex A hand drill from Wheels and Axles and Inclined Planes! Whoa! And the lime green rods are bendable. photo: K'nex Number 1 Son Makes a Toy Well- a picture story with a bit of video.... I think he was daunted by this one (the well) and so one day, I just said I would make it myself.. He took over after I finished 25% of the job. I had a feeling he would! In Wheels, Axles, and Inclined Planes. He modified the "bucket" to make it fit the shot glass because a heavy bucket could collect water. Shot glass nor mention of a shot glass is not included, okay? I wonder if pouring blue water into a bucket in the middle of the living room carpet was the most fun part. Now that he knows how to make one, can you imagine that it can be a part of a play scenario or perhaps even a science project.... you never know!!!!! And now here's your chance to win your very own K'nex Introduction to Simple Machines: Gears set! Hooray. This raffle will be really simple. Hope you all throw in your hat for this. Even if your child is not a fanatic builder, I think being acquainted with this will help children more easily understand what makes things work. a Rafflecopter giveaway Want to get all three??? Try my Amazon link and support thoughtful toy reviewing in 2013.
K'nex Tower Crane: Here is a tower crane I made one weekend that is about 75 inches (6.25 feet) tall. It has almost every function off a real tower crane. It can rotate 360 degrees, the trolley moves from the tip of the jib, all the way back to the tower, and the hook…
More about K'NEX® Education Intro to Simple Machines: Gears: Sprocket Gears! Spur Gears! Rack & Pinion! And More! A great set for STEM learning. The K'NEX® Education Gears set is designed to introduce students to the scientific concepts associated with gears. Students are provided with the opportunity to acquire skills using a hands-on, inquiry-based approach to information and concepts as they build, investigate, discuss, and evaluate scientific principles in action. Set includes 198 K'NEX parts – enough to build 7 fully-functioning replicas of real-world machines, one at a time. Supports 2–3 students working as a team. Grades 3-5. Building instructions and comprehensive teacher's guide aligned to Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Standards included. Packaged in a strong storage tray with snap-on lid. The Teacher's Guide provides the information and resources needed to build students' understanding of scientific concepts and channel their inquiries into active and meaningful learning experiences. Extension activities to explore the concepts more deeply are also included. Small Parts Warning Related Categories: Ed Supplies & Early Childhood : Science : Science Activities & Games Ed Supplies & Early Childhood : Makerspace : MakerSpace Building Ed Supplies & Early Childhood : Manipulatives : Building Ed Supplies & Early Childhood : STEM : Engineering Ed Supplies & Early Childhood : STEM : Science Christian Activities : VBS Themes : Time Traveler Special Needs : Developmental & Learning Aids : Cognitive : Building Marketing Attributes Primary Brand Knex Instruction Language(s) English Instructions Included Yes Packaging And Environmental Quantity Per Pack 198 Book Attributes Book Language English Label Maker Data Attributes Youngest Recommended Age 8 years
For those of you who know me and the hubby, you know that we own a lot of DVD's and blu-rays. Well, we don't exactly have a ton of shelving for our DVD's (which we like to keep in our living room), so today's build is meant to remedy this. The knex DVD holder can hold 43 standard DVD cases (which should mean that it can hold even more standard blu-ray cases). I would like to make it rotate at some point or another, but for now, I was just interested in functionality/DVD storage. It is only about 30" tall, and looks pretty classy (at least, I think it does =P).
Looking for fun hand clapping games? Awesome hand clapping songs to teach kids, students or camp attendees, with videos and printable lyrics!
It's so fun to make a DIY spinner toy! These spinner toys are so bright and colourful, and they're so cool to play with! Watch the colours combine as the string spinner whirls through the air. This is such an easy craft to make, especially when you download our free spinner templates (find the links below!). Decorate and colour your spinner disc however you'd like, and create hours of fun for mere pennies! This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something we may earn a small commission which helps us run this website. DIY Spinner
K'NEX Basic Catapult: Hi! These are the instructions to my catapult. It is an original design and can fire anything! It goes quite far and has an easy fire mechanism. It uses very few parts and is easy to make! Update: Hello, I became pro for two years yesterday, and I …
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Ich habe tatsächlich schon die ersten Schneeglöckchen draußen entdeckt, letzten Sonntag beim Walken. In den Kübeln auf unserem Balkon brauchen sie wohl noch ein paar Tage. So gefiel mir die Idee Sc…
These sourdough tortillas are super tasty and easy to make. Best part: you finally have a delicious no-fail recipe to use your sourdough discard!
Learn how to make a bouncy ball using 3 simple ingredients! These DIY bouncy balls are SO COOL! It's such a great craft that also doubles as a science experiment! Kids and adults can make a homemade bouncy ball toy in just a few minutes. They're so easy to make and a whole lot of fun to play with! This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something we may earn a small commission which helps us run this website. How to Make a Bouncy Ball Learn how to make a bouncy ball in less than
Learn how to make a dreamcatcher! These paper plate dreamcatchers are so pretty, and they're incredibly simple to make! Keep bad dreams away as you make this easy kids version of a dreamcatcher. Make a Dreamcatcher A dreamcatcher is a Native American item which is traditionally hung over a child's bed as protection. Dreamcatchers allow good dreams through, while catching and stopping bad dreams. Most kids will enjoy this craft, but a DIY dreamcatcher is particularly great for kids who have trouble with nightmares. You can work through the problem together as you make the craft, and the dreamcatcher will
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These Halloween luminaries are an easy and fun Halloween craft that you can use to decorate your porch. They look great during the day and at night!
Looking for fun hand clapping games? Awesome hand clapping songs to teach kids, students or camp attendees, with videos and printable lyrics!
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Today, I thought I would share one of the biggest resources that has ever been created for you. This post contains enough arts and crafts ideas to get you through the summer, fall, winter, spring... and many more rounds after that! I decided to have this resource include both art ideas AND craft ideas. The
9 collaborative and board games that teach social skills to kids. Includes recommended ages and what skills are targeted for each game
Today's blog post will be a quickie. I was just so excited about my latest Target find, I had to share it with my teaching friends! So let's get started with our build a sight word fun! I knew it was going to be a good trip because this was the first thing I saw when...
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Bok Choy is an excellent leafy green vegetable for a stir-fry. Chinese cabbage, also known as Bok Choy, offers two different textures in its leaves from the stems at the root end. The leafy part of the vegetable has a tender, chewy texture while the stems are crunchy, and the flavor is mildly like cabbage with a light bitter mineral taste. In addition to its unique taste, Bok Choy is high in fiber, minerals, and vitamins, which make it a nutritious choice to add to your meal. With this recipe for Bok Choy Stir Fry, we will show you how to prepare a quick and easy Asian-inspired meal that’s delicious and nutritious too. That goes great with Hot Cross Buns.
Looking for fun hand clapping games? Awesome hand clapping songs to teach kids, students or camp attendees, with videos and printable lyrics!
Egg carton crafts encourage creativity in kids and it's also a great way to use up all those pieces of cardboard after Easter Sunday is over.
Duck Boat Challenge: My school started a STEAM Integration Committee a couple years ago with the purpose of improving STEM education on campus and making STEM a regular part of the education process across content areas. One thing the team has been able to get done is …
Rumbledethumps is a Scottish side dish consisting of creamy mashed potato, with sliced cabbage and sometimes fried onions stirred through it, before it's topped with cheese and baked in the oven.
‘Des Chats-Dessins sans paroles’ (Cats- Pictures without Words) is a book of 1897 by Swiss-born painter and printmaker Theophile Alexandre Steinlen ( 1859-1923). Based in Montmartre, Paris, Steinlen frequented the Le Chat Noir cabaret. There he met Toulouse Lautrec, Adolphe Willette and Aristide Bruant. He was hired to create a lithograph for … Continue reading "Théophile Alexandre Steinlen’s Illustrations of Cats in Fin de Siecle Paris"
Laughter really is the best medicine! With these family activities, it will surely make you bond, but also laugh so hard it hurts!
Learn how to turn an ordinary paper plate into a colourful woven bowl to store trinkets and treasures in. (Video tutorial included in post).
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Feature Friday featuring Old Silver Shed, a stunning cottage in Cape Cod. Stop by for the full tour of this quintessential New England beauty!
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In this post we will be sharing 3 exciting object lessons that can not only be used for teaching Bible truths, but also as a fun science lesson. Object lessons are a enjoyable way to keep your child engaged while learning about the Bible and to help them commit the lesson to memory. These lessons will require minimal s
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Entertainment can be expensive. If you have a deck of cards, then keep reading for 59 two-person card games that will have you entertained all night long.
To be an unforgettable grandparent, you need to do memorable things with your grandchildren. Here are 19 unforgettable activities to do with grandchildren. These are grandparent tested and grandchild approved!
If you want an activity that is simple to set up and engaging for your toddler, try this fine motor threading activity using straws and cardboard tubes. Children develop their fine motor skills, concentration and problem solving skills with this handmade teaching tool or handmade toy. Fun for toddler to make too.
Here’s how to make a rainstick using a cardboard tube and some crafting materials. The kids loved making this homemade instrument and using it to explore sound! Follow our Crafts for Kids Pinterest board! Homemade rainsticks make a great craft for kids and a fun science activity too. The kids love the creative freedom of …
