I need some Knex/Lego Advice

[cruisnfamily]

DS(who will be 7 next month) is asking for Knex Electronic Arcade for Christmas. This toy is $70 and I can see it will be way beyond his abilities, the recommended age is 10+. I have found the recommended ages to be "right on" on these types of toys and don't want to get him something this advanced. His fine motor skills aren't the best either. Anyway, he would also like the Knex Ferris Wheel or the rollercoaster.....these are also too advanced for him.

So, here is my question:Does anyone know of a knex and/or lego toy which has some sort of motor included to make it move which would be age appropriate for a 6-7 year old boy?

He doesn't really accept my answer that these things are too difficult for him and really wants something like this....does anyone have my answer?

 

[Deb & Bill]

We got our son a basic kit of K'nex when he was younger (about four years ago, so he was 5). No motorized parts at all. Just the building set with directions to build things. Everyone got into building with him, so he never felt he couldn't do it. They are complicated and I am a civil engineer. So I have had to help him build things a lot.

The non motorized sets have directions to build things like ferris wheels that you can make move with a handle and string. We have a ferris wheel and swing ride set up in our living room right now because we hate to take it apart.

This set was in a blue, hard plastic carrying case. If I remember it was about $70, but I got it for about $50 at K-Mart.

 

[RitaZ.]

Have you checked out Lego MindStorms? The problem is that they are for older kids (9+ yrs. old).

Lego You can request a catalog or you can call them to ask for product info. Good luck!

BTW, I'll be going to a concert in Sarasota next month at the Van Wezel.

 

[Kallison]

My boys were always able to handle the sets that were past their age limitations. He may surprise you, either that or DH will have a lot of fun building it! If it his one "I really want it present", I would go ahead and give it a go. My boys still love Legos and they are 10 and 12. Of course the sets never stay together, it's just one giant bin now. We had the K'nex solar powered ferris wheel up for about 6 months. K'nex factory is very close to my house, it's a wonderful company, they are very philanthropic.

 

[mom2boys]

Some of the multi-model sets include motors. Check the ToysRUs sale ad from Sunday's paper. There were a couple of sets on sale there. I didn't pay close attention but my boys have two sets with motors. They are 7 & 8.5. The last set we bought had about 40 different models in it. They were at various levels. The advanced was too much for me - but I'm not mechanically inclined. (Actually I have trouble chewing gum & walking at the same time. ) My older son can do up to the intermediate level without help. (The younger one isn't really into K'nex or Legos. - he prefers freestyle - but I attribute that more to personal preference than to ability.

 

[tar heel]

There are Lego sets with motors. I'm sure you can get lots of information at their website. Lego also has some cool race cars that are rubber band powered.

Mindstorms is great but well beyond the capabilities of a child his age. My oldest ds took his to college with him!

Two of my three boys are building toy fanatics, and they both prefer Legos over Knex.

 

[aahmom1]

You could always get it and it could be a great Mom and son , or Dad and son project, my DH loves that kind of stuff.

 

[Cindy B]

My son got a Knex dinosaur with a motor, at age 5. He did fine with it. He put it together, and DH helped him with the motor.

Really that is fine, especially if he likes it. Now my son will be eight next month, and we are thinking about getting the Knex roller coaster, that also says 10 and up... he loves it in the store.

I'm just worried about the space!