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Unschooling Resources: Toys
Building
Sets
A good
way to see just what sorts of building sets are are available: Constructiontoys.com
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Construx
Building large is easy with these plastic construction sets from
the 1980s. Great for younger kids because the pieces are simple to fit
together, and the results are highly satisfying. Check for Construx on
eBay and at garage sales. |
Geomag
A magnetic construction toy based on simple principles of geometry.
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K'nex
A colorful building set that uses plastic rods and connectors.
Recommended for slightly older children, as the pieces are sometimes
difficult to snap together (there is a junior set for younger children).
Build small models, or dive in and go for a giant ferris wheel or roller
coaster! There are also "educational" sets, including levers
and pulleys, inclined planes, cranks and gears, the solar system, bridges,
etc.
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Kapla
"Kapla gently blends science and art, expanding both critical and
creative thinking while children play.... Unlike traditional cubes, KAPLA
is long and thin. It is perfectly balanced between 2 ideas: building and
sculpting. This single [wooden] module can create an unlimited number
of structures such as bridges, walls, domes, houses, roofs, bugs and animals."
Legos
Of course. A good way to get started with Lego is to buy a bunch
used. You'll usually end up with both plain blocks of different sizes
and lots of interesting decorative pieces (computer terminals, flowers,
doors, wheels, etc).
Magna-Tiles
As the name implies, magnetic tiles. From the website: "A valuable
manipulative for spatial problem-solving tasks, logical thinking and math
reasoning, these unique tiles attract on all sides and combinations, leading
from two-dimensional to advanced 3-D thinking patterns and providing stimulus
and right-side brain training through creative play!" (Post #928)
Pattern and Parquetry Blocks
Make beautiful creations or copy others' patterns. Pattern blocks are
art! (...and math, of course.) (Post #929)
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Toobers
and Zots
Foam tubes (some with wire inside), spheres and cool-looking
flat pieces in wild colors. Bend them, shape them and put them together
however you want! Make bugs, aliens, monsters, animals, and wacky people.
Heck, make anything you like! |
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Tree Blocks
"Wooden blocks that look like the branches they came from."
Beautiful. |
Wooden Unit
Blocks
You can find these almost anywhere. Think of the large, wooden
blocks seen in schools and daycares. A quality set will last through
the years and can spark a kid's imagination like almost nothing else.
Young
Architects
"Experience the pride of building ready-to-display stone replicas
of world famous architectural masterpieces, brick by brick! Mix the
special mortar in the mini-sized wheelbarrow, then follow the step-by-step
instructions for building each structure with real kiln-fired bricks!"
Includes the Coliseum, a Mayan temple, the Great Wall of China, the
Empire State Building, the Alamo, and more.
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Zoobs
Another fun building set for the younger crowd. These colorful
plastic pieces snap together and move around nicely. |
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Zome
This system consists of struts and connectors that can make zillions
of different geometric constructions. Very cool, especially for older
builders. |
