If you’re looking for a construction set full of fun, imagination and kids creativity then the Kids K’nex Zoo Friends could be just what you’re looking for.
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If you like this then you may also like our reviews of Knex Imagine Building Set, Laser Pegs Multi-Models, and Hubelino Marble Run.
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What Is Kid Knex?
Kid K’nex is an American-made construction set that consists of multicoloured rods and connectors. It works in the same way as standard k’nex sets. The key difference is that the pieces are larger!
Both the rods and connectors are multicoloured and come in different shapes/sizes. The rods connect by ‘clicking’ them into the open spaces in the connects.
By using the rods and connectors kids start to learn how to use the different angles and structures to make amazing solid builds that are both ornamental and useable for play! Whilst doing this they are developing their skills at reading instructions, manipulating materials, problem-solving, and of course designing as well as strengthening their fine motor skills.
In this post, we’re going to be looking at the Kid K’Nex Zoo Friends Building Set (K’nex 85700).
But there are also lots of different Kid Knex Imagine Building Sets available that all contain varying amounts of K’nex rods and connectors and multi-build ideas.
What’s In The Kid KNex Zoo Friends Building Set
The Kid K’Nex Zoo Friends building set contains an amazing 55 pieces plus an information leaflet with 30 different animal build ideas.
The external packaging is made of strong cardboard and inside there is one large plastic bag containing all the build components and a small plastic bag with the eye piece.
The build components consist of
- 4 long orange rods
- 2 long flexible purple rods
- 5 medium yellow rods
- 10 white short rods
- 12 extra short rods
- 2 green moveable hinge joints
- 2 full round red connectors
- 1 yellow 1/2 round connector
- 3 blue 1/3 round connectors
- 6 orange 1/4 round connectors
- 2 uears
- 4 feet
- 1 pair of eyes
- 1 blue pointy tail/fang/horn/beak (or whatever your child uses it for!)
The information leaflet folds out. One side details the box contents, how to connect the pieces plus other Kid K’nex kits available.
The other side gives you images of the different types of animal you can build but there are no specific build instructions. You have to work out what you need and how they connect from the images. If you loose the leaflet you can view or download it here.
Sorting The Kids Knex Rods & Connectors
The first thing we always do is sort out all the components. This can also up as a teaching tool for colours and counting… grouping the colours together, the same sized rods, counting how many of each there are, how many rods a connector can hold etc
It’s also a great opportunity for kids to examine all the different rods and connectors and learn how they connect together.
Doing this helps streamline the building and makes it easier and quicker to locate the parts required.
The images for the different builds on the instruction leaflet are clear, but as mentioned earlier, they do not specifically tell you what parts you need and how many of them are required at each stage. So a keen eye is needed to analyse the images.
But of course, there’s no wrong or right way to build so allowing kids to experiment and change things up is a must!
Building With the Kid KNex Zoo Friends Building Set
Kids K’nex Zoo Friends is pretty straight forward to build with and most younger kids will grasp how to connect the rods and connectors together. It works in exactly the same way as the older standard K’nex kits but the pieces are larger and easier to manipulate. And the colours are brighter and feel more fun.
The instruction leaflet has a nice range of flat 2d builds and more difficult 3d build. But as already mentioned a few times although the images are clear, some children may need help working out which rods and connectors they need, especially with the 3d models. And some kids may need help identifying the easier builds.
Having said that, the random placing of the models means that kids will choose characters to build that appeal to them rather than animal characters that they feel are easy or hard. And this is a much more natural, relaxed way to learn and discover.
The quantity of build pieces in Kids K’nex Zoo Friends is plenty to explore with. And this makes it a nice introductory set that wouldn’t be too overwhelming.
The ‘special’ pieces like the pointy claw thing, hinged joints and flexible joints all cleverly expland the construction kit.
- the hinged joints (green) introduces children to simple movement/joints.
- the claw can work like and extra appendage to help balance animals
- the flexible rods creates softness and allow wings, ears, tails, spines etc to be made.
It would be nice to have another set of eyes so that two animals from the xoo could be built but that’s a minor nit pick!
What Did We Think Of The Kid KNex Zoo Friends Building Set
Kid Knex Zoo Friends is a really sweet and inspiring construction kit. It’s easily accessible but does require a certain level of skill which kids develop the more they use it.
The size and durability of the builds is impressive, although depending on the rods lengths used they can be a little top heavy.
Younger kids will need help following the instructions on more complicated builds, and they may need help connecting the rods to the connectors. But they will have fun and be super proud of the fun and colourful zoo animals that they’ll create… with or without instructions.