Favourite product: Kaleidoscope from Smartivity
Jonas and I recently bought the kaleidoscope of Smartivity tested. He loves to build and design things. When he was unable to go to kindergarten due to a cold, we decided without further ado to construct the “Kaleidoscope” Smartivity Set.
Your own kaleidoscope without glue
The 127 individual parts are easy to assemble following well-illustrated step-by-step instructions. “That's a Sisyphean job,” Jonas immediately states, because it requires a bit of patience when designing: 16 rubber rings must be attached to the individual plastic parts. When we have done that, we realize that the different colored pearls also have to be filled into the so-called drum! So remove all rubber rings again and distribute 15 beads into each chamber. Then it's time to assemble the individual wooden components with rubbers without glue!
Fine motor skills required
The construction toy is suitable for kids over six years of age. However, this is not entirely possible without support from mom or dad: Jonas needs my help with the smaller parts, because attaching the rubbers in a way that holds everything is not as easy as it looks. Very frivolous! We're working our way forward bit by bit and Jonas is really proud to have his own kaleidoscope in the end.
Game fun
After about an hour, we're done building. Jonas then looks through again and again and is fascinated by the play of colors in sunlight. Tip: If you feel like it, you can also fill your own sequins or feathers into the individual chambers of the drum. This makes it even more varied!
conclusion
The structure promotes fine motor skills and technical understanding as well as patience. Small and big tinkerers aged six and over can build together with their parents or older siblings. However, you really need tact until everything fits correctly at the end. Great for us as parents: The kids are wonderfully busy for an hour — without having to remove any adhesive residue and the like afterwards 😉
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLVP3j3R6lQ
