Disclosure: This is not a compensated or sponsored post. I was provided the product for review purposes only. All opinions expressed here are my own
STEM learning toys can provide hours of productive play while also nurturing youngsters’ problem-solving skills and creativity. This is great, but the toys are only good if your child likes playing with them. They will enjoy playing with the Learning Resources Gears! Gears! Gears! Machines in Motion Set.
Learning Resources produces a variety of toys that straddle the line of education and entertainment for toddlers, fifth graders, and every age in between. Its line of Gears! Gears! Gears! sets are among its most popular because you can mix all of them altogether, like the 150-piece Super Building Set or the 83-piece Gizmo Building Set, to make your own creations.
Most of the Learning Resources sets are geared toward children between four years and up, but there are options for even younger kids as well. The hands-on construction is meant to boost fine motor, design, reasoning, physics, and engineering skills.
Each set has an array of kid-friendly pieces that can be used to construct countless creations and comes with instructions for building structures that make optimal use of the set’s pieces. Obviously, your children can engage in open-ended play and make their own inventions.
Among the 116 pieces in the Machines in Motion, set are 24 connectors, eight interlocking bases, four wheels with treads, two propellers, a wrecking ball, 14 gears, and several other pieces that I don’t quite know the names; you can see everything that is included in this user guide. The guide also gives step-by-step instructions on how to put together a couple of structures like cranes and a tank.
Preparing the toys for play didn’t take much planning at all. I removed the pieces from their plastic bags and it was time to start building as soon as possible. Once the pieces were free, it was time to go to town following the picture instructions that came with the set.
Overall, the Machines in Motion Set provides an excellent balance of education, fun, and affordability. I really like that kids can play with it on their own. All things considered, I strongly recommend this set if you have children between four and eight who like building and open-ended play.