Snap Circuits

[Aneille]

I am thinking of getting snap circuits for my oldest for Christmas. My oldest daughter likes to build things and DH saw these at the store and really wanted them. He likes to do to these types of things with the kids.

I thought it would be a great family item.

Now for the question: I went to their website http://www.elenco.com/snapcircuits.html and there are so many to choose from.

For those that own them, what is the best entry set? Is the 300 in 1 that much better than the 100 in 1? Or is there a different one I should be looking at?

Thanks!

 

[Calliaz]

I bought the Snap Circuits Jr. kit (100) for my son last year (he was still 6). He's played with it all year on and off. I would say that if your daughter is under 10, she will probably like the Jr. Kit. Over that, I think the 300 would be better. Now that DS has played with the Jr. Kit, he wants some of the specialty kits.

 

[Aneille]

Thanks for the input. Based on what you have told me I think I would get the 300 in 1 set.

I probably should update my signature.

My kids are now 9, 7, 4 (almost 5). I was looking for something more for the 9 year old, she's in 3rd grade.

Do the specialty kits connect to the Jr sets as well as the larger sets?

 

[Calliaz]

I think all of the sets connect together. I didn't want to sound braggy, but my son (who is now 7/almost 8) is pretty advanced. You have to be a strong reader to understand some of the project instructions, even in the Jr. set. I would say that you are right, though. The 300 might be a better choice. Or, the 100 with some project sets.

I just looked at the new Green Energy one that also looks fun. I will probably buy a new set this year for my DS.

My signature is also out of date!

 

[Aneille]

Both my older kids (2nd and 3rd grade) are strong readers and good students. I read on the website that the sets are geared for an 8 year old to understand so I don't think they will have too much trouble.

Plus my DH is big into science and doing this type of stuff with the kids so if they do get stuck, they have someone to help them out. He saw these in our local toy ad and really wanted them for himself! I wonder if they make an adult set!

I'll look into the specialty sets to go along with the 100 in 1 as well.

Again thanks for the help. Now I have somewhere to start and a little better understanding of how they work.

Last year I got them a plank set and my DH thought I was nuts (they are kind of pricey for what they are) but at least 1 kid pulls them out everyday. I am hoping this will be a toy like that.

They really look like a lot of fun.

 

[encinc]

Last year I got them a plank set and my DH thought I was nuts (they are kind of pricey for what they are) but at least 1 kid pulls them out everyday. I am hoping this will be a toy like that.

Tell me more about the plank set. I'm looking for ideas for my eight year old DS.

 

[StephMK]

They are awesome sets! DS8 got his Jr set a few years ago & he still pulls it out to play with. There are expander sets you can buy that give you the extra pieces to go to different levels. He really wants the car set this year but I love the sound of the green energy one too. DD10 likes to put projects together sometimes too. I think you will get lots of use out any set you choose.

I'd also love to hear about the plank sets. Are they building sets?

 

[Aneille]

Their are 2 major brands of planks. Kapla and Keva.

They are thin planks of wood that are well balanced so you could build some elaborate designs them.

My kids use them for everything. They somehow include them into games with their Zhu Zhu pets, cars, trains...you name it. They have built some cool things.

Common building themes at our house are homes, bridges, boats, roads, tracks and animals.

If your child likes to build or is into imaginative play as they build these things are great. I think my 4 year old uses them the most but I think that is partly because he is home the most and most active builder. He builds with anything he can find. But all 3 of them use them quite frequently. I am always finding them out.

This is a link to Amazon and the Keva set we have:

http://www.amazon.com/KEVA-200-Piece-Block-Set/dp/B00132BVES

I got them at a local toy store. And I have seen them at the Learning Express this year as well.

 

[brergnat]

First want to thank you for the Plank set idea. My son will LOVE this! Will be very useful for building his Rube Goldberg marble/domino machines.

We got our son the Snap Circuits Jr. last Christmas (he was 5). He was totally able to understand it and did all the projects (some he needed help with). He has high functioning autism, and has an innate understanding of electronics/engineering, etc. Plus, he's been reading since 3, so we knew he'd be able to handle it.

For a 9 year old, I'd suggest skipping the Jr. set. It really is very elementary. We are buying our son the 300 set this year because he's been bored with the Jr. kit for some time (he keeps trying to make his own "projects"). As far as I know, the first 100 projects of the 300 kit are the ones found in the Jr. kit, so it's redundant to have both.

The RC Rover set also looks really cool. I bet your DH would have fun with that one.

Overall, I think Snap Circuits is an amazing learning toy. The projects are fun and the science is presented in a very accessible way for young kids. I'd have all the kits if we had space for them.

 

[Aneille]

Did you see Keva's Contraption set?

http://www.amazon.com/MindWare-44156W-KEVA-Contraptions/dp/B002V7YBNC

I was contemplating adding this one to our set.

It seems like it is the regular set but with different instructions and the marbles.

 

[encinc]

Thanks for the info about the planks! They look cool!

The KEVA contraptions is actually on our shortlist for DS. He loves ball runs! I didn't realize that the Contraptions is part of a larger series. I love things that we can buy add-ons for in a future year. It might have just moved further up my list.

 

[spacemountainmom]

My DS11 loves his Snap Circuits. I think he's really like the KEVA set as well.

He loves anything he can build. All time favorites are: Train sets, legos, tinker toys, lincoln logs, marble raceway, even just plain old blocks.

 

[ProudMommyof2]

We got DS11 the 750 set (Elenco brand) from Amazon last year. He loves it and frequently takes it out for a rainy day activity- so much better than video games.

Watch Amazon for price cuts and free shipping!

 

[SGB13]

My son was given the Jr as a gift. Loved it, but went thru the whole book in a day, asked for the 750 and loves it. His older sister will join in making things with that one.

 

[brergnat]

Did you see Keva's Contraption set?

http://www.amazon.com/MindWare-44156W-KEVA-Contraptions/dp/B002V7YBNC

I was contemplating adding this one to our set.

It seems like it is the regular set but with different instructions and the marbles.

Yes! This is the one I'm buying for DS. Already put it in my Amazon cart.

This looks PERFECT! He is always looking for stuff to use around the house for "supports" for his various marble runs (he has all kinds of tubing, tracks, etc.)

I love that it's very "free play" oriented.

 

[Wilsonfamily4]

This was a great thread for me. For one of his presents I am putting together a bag of brain/hand toys. He loves to build and think.

I knew I wanted to get the JR snap circuits (would get the bigger set but I want to make sure he likes it), paper airplane book, pop bottle science kit, nintendo puzzle and now I am adding the contraption kit! Thanks

any other things I should add?

 

[southern_redhead]

This was a great thread for me. For one of his presents I am putting together a bag of brain/hand toys. He loves to build and think.

I knew I wanted to get the JR snap circuits (would get the bigger set but I want to make sure he likes it), paper airplane book, pop bottle science kit, nintendo puzzle and now I am adding the contraption kit! Thanks

any other things I should add?

I wanted to tell you: The pop bottle science kit is really neat. I got it for my DS's birthday (9th?) one year. BUT wash by hand. I, being lazy, popped it in the dishwasher and it melted!! Thought about buying another one but haven't (yet.) They really enjoyed it though. There is also one that uses test tubes that are soda bottles they haven't "blown up" yet. It is cool, too. We still have it - I rinse them out by hand

 

[Wilsonfamily4]

hey thanks!!!

I will definitely wash by hand. So glad to hear it's cool. It had good reviews and was a fairly good price. Will check the other out.

(love your name. My husband and kids are all redheads, so I am partial to redheads.

I wanted to tell you: The pop bottle science kit is really neat. I got it for my DS's birthday (9th?) one year. BUT wash by hand. I, being lazy, popped it in the dishwasher and it melted!! Thought about buying another one but haven't (yet.) They really enjoyed it though. There is also one that uses test tubes that are soda bottles they haven't "blown up" yet. It is cool, too. We still have it - I rinse them out by hand

 

[SiennaFrost]

The Snap Circuit sets are on sale today on Amazon up to 35% off! I was able to purchase the entire SC-750 set for $5.00 more than just upgrading from a 300 set to the 750 on the Snap Circuit website! I know we will be able to use the extra pieces, so for $5.00 it is worth it!

Wish I could find the carry case at a good price! I won't pay 45.00 for just a case.