The Circuit Explorer Rocket (Mission Lights) playset introduces kids to the basics of electric circuit building using play-based learning to build a rocket, launchpad and rover to explore the surface of Mars.
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Aged 6+, it uses illustrated snap-together pieces to help kids grasp the concept of basic circuit building.
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If you like this review you may be interested in our review of My Very Own Moon, 3D Puzzle Space Mission Vehicles, The Space Explorer Moon Projector and Design & Drill Bolt Buddies Rocket.
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What Does The Circuit Explorer Rocket Play set Do?
The Circut Explorer Rocket introduces kids to electric circuits that power multicoloured and white lights, using the terms connector, power-source, and effect. Kids can build rockets, space vehicles, launch pads, etc with this easy-to-use snap-and-click playset system that takes them on a mission to explore the surface of Mars.
There are three models with full instructions to help get kids to grip with the system and then there are image build ideas with no instructions to encourage kids to think and build under their own initiative and imagination. You can see more detail in the later half of this video (7:55)
What’s In The Circuit Explorer Rocket Box
Inside the box, you’ll find
- 3 x power source units (all three require 3x AAA batteries)
- 3x connector units
- 4 x effect (light) units
- 4x non circuit build units
- 4 wheels
- 1x astronuaght mini figure
- 1x robot mini figure
- Sticker sheet
- Instruction leaflet
You will also need a Phillips-head screwdriver and 9 AAA batteries. The batteries are required to give power to the 3 power units.
How Does The Rocket Play Set Work?
From the moment the kids get the box they are on a mission to construct a rocket, launchpad and rover to explore the surface of Mars!
The instruction leaflet is full of clear, detailed, image-driven instructions that enable kids to check they have all the equipment and construct their space vehicles.
To get the lights working kids must ensure they have an effect (light) connected to a power source, sometimes with an additional connector required in between. And to help kids with their circuit builds, the ‘snap and click’ pieces have clear illustrations on them that need to be lined up.
The pieces snap together easily and the lights are super strong when added to the builds. The white lights shine strong and bright making fantastic torches and the multicoloured light shift through random sequence changes.
The space vehicles make a fantastic playset when finished that work brilliantly during the day and at night. In fact the lights look their best at night and would make great torches and night lights as well as creative play toys.
The set is also designed to encourage kis to create their own builds and at the back of the instruction booklet, there are some other build suggestions without any instructions. One thing to note is that the set can only build so many models so once the rocket, launch pad and rover have been build, they will need to be deconstructed to build anything else.
What Did We Think Of The Circuit Explorer Rocket Set?
There are quite a few circuit learning toys on the market, and sometimes it can be hard to know which one is the best. What stood out with the Circuit Explorer Rocket was how accessible it is for kids to use straight out of the box.
I love how visual the instruction booklet is. The easy-to-follow, step-by-step photographic images make it super easy for kids to build their circuit models with little to no help! Additionally, the construction pieces are also very straightforward, unfussy, and clearly marked which makes them very easy to use. Both of these features create a circuit construction system that is engaging explore and investigate as soon as the box is opened.
There’s an interesting use of hexagons throughout the whole set as well which makes a nice change from standard shapes!
And of course the circuits built turn into a fabulous space themed playset for imaginary play.
The whole design and presentation from packaging, contents and buil is designed to be accessible and engage kids!
Other Sets In The Circuit Explorer Range
There are a few other Circuit Explorer sets and they can all be combined together to build something new. These include
This includes the amazing Circuit Explorer Deluxe Base Station
And the exciting Circuit Explorer Rover Set