Build An Electric Stunt Buggy - Review

Technokits are exciting technology based craft kits for kids, designed to promote a practical knowledge of electrical and mechanical principles delivered in a fun way. The Technokits consist of interlocking pieces of pre-cut card, which build into a model upon which the other components are added. The fully functional model is easy to assemble without any glue or mess.

We received a Technokit Electric Stunt Buggy kit from Interplayuk.com to try out. The kit contained almost every needed to complete the project including the die cut panels to build the buggy, along with axles, pulleys, inserts, an electric motor and mount, foam wheels, drive band, battery box and a set of instructions. All you need to add is two AA batteries.

The kit is for children aged eight and over, but as Kizzy wasn't feeling well, six year old Freddy stood in to help, along with daddy who loves making anything technical.

The instructions were clearly laid out and the pieces fitted together well, with a little bit of effort, just like a 3D puzzle. The component parts were easily added onto the body of the buggy. Ian said he could have definitely completed the model when he was 8, as he has always been good at building things and playing with electronics. Other kids may need some adult supervision and assistance. Freddy was able to help with some of the jobs and learned about electric motors and how the drive band makes the back wheels turn.

The finished buggy is surprisingly sturdy and runs really well on a flat surface. It does wheelies, zooming along on its back wheels making it quite an impressive toy car in its own right. Our buggy was built using the printed side of the cardboard pieces, but you can make it inside out, having customised the plain side of the pieces first, to create your own unique design. Kids can get as colourful and creative as they like, making their own unique and bespoke design.

At £9.99 this is a good buy, giving kids a kit that enables them to build a fully operational stunt buggy toy. It develops their modelling skills and teaches the STEM subjects in a practical and enjoyable way. It's a great gift idea for kids or even for dads! I really like the idea that it is two toys in one, a modelling kit, which builds into a really cool toy stunt car to play with.

Find out more on the InterplayUK website.

Green Science Dynamo Torch Review

We were sent a 4M Green Science Dynamo Torch kit to try out from Great Gizmos.  It contains everything needed to make a working, wind-up torch and teaches children about electrical energy in the process.  It's high voltage inspiration and fun!

Comprising of a toy motor, LED lamp, gears and torch casing, cover and accessories, children aged 8 and over can create their own torch.  In doing so, they will learn how to follow instructions, improve their dexterity and gain an understanding of basic electronics.

The clear instruction sheet gives an assembly diagram and step by step guide for making the torch.  Kizzy's first look at the instructions left her a bit confused, but with Dad on hand she soon got stuck in.  Adult supervision is probably advisable unless you have an electronics whizz for a child.

Once her Dad had pointed her in the right direction, she was able to affix the LED to the casing, install the gears, attach the handle and connect the wires to the motor.  You need a small cross head screwdriver to assemble the torch using little screws, which can prove a bit fiddly for a child.  Again, Dad was on hand to assist Kizzy.

Once it is assembled, the handle can be turned which converts hand motion into electrical energy which lights up the green bulb.  Kizzy was very impressed that she had made the torch light up.

The casing can be attached to a plastic bottle to make a unique torch from your favourite pop bottle.  A great use of recycling!  The torch makes a practical and functional emergency light for kids to use in the dark, powered by hand motion.  

The instructions include fun facts about elecricity.  It explains how electric generators work and how the physical power of  winding the handle converts kinetic energy to electrical energy.  Making electricity in this way is a form of renewable energy which gives off no pollution, opening up children's minds to the concept of greener, environmentally friendly energy sources.

Freddy was very interested in the finished product and was very intrigued at how the torch worked.  That is the beauty of these children's science kits.  Kids learn so much from playing, and even from a young age this can spark a real love of science.

The Dynamo Torch set retails at £11.95.

Find out more at:

http://www.greatgizmos.co.uk/green-science-dynamo-torch.html