K-Nex

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What is K'Nex?

K'Nex Swing
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K'Nex Swing

K'Nex is a toy construction system consisting of plastic rods that can be joined together with connectors. Wheels, panels, body parts and gears are also available so vehicles and other models can be constructed and some parts can be bought to enable the toy to actually move - the possible creations that can be made with K'Nex are endless! K'Nex can be compared closely with Meccano and, to a lesser extent, LEGO. Rods and connectors are colour coded to ensure the toy is suitable for children, and full instructions come with each design. K'Nex was invented by Joel Glickman and is designed and produced by K'Nex Industries, Inc. located in Pennsylvania. Internationally, K'Nex toys are distributed by Hasbro. K'Nex inspires creativity – children can bring their models to life and learn to think logically. Though children may just view K'Nex as building equipment, the toy is great for educational purposes too.

Appearance

K'Nex consists of plastic rods and connectors. The rods are all different lengths and colour coded according to this, for example all 20cm rods will be one colour and all 10cm rods will be a different colour. This is so children can easily diferentiate between them and recognise that two yellow rods, for example, will be needed to ensure the toy is built to a level height. The rods all have four grooves and a circular end to fit comfortably into the connectors. The connectors vary in appearance - from circular to square, etc. and are colour coded to for the same reason as the rods. Although the colour coded pieces make building easier, the final result also looks more interesting and colourful too!

K'Nex Products

There are loads of K'Nex products to choose from and they all have different themes to inspire children's imaginations:

Big Builds

These products are great for older children who enjoy a challenge! From amusement parks to rockets, these models will occupy children for hours and the finish products look amazing. Big Builds products include:

  • Pirate Ship Park
  • Shark Run
  • Corkscrew Canyon
  • Big Air Ball Tower
  • Loopin' Lizard
  • Musical Ferris Wheel
  • Screamin' Serpent
  • Rippin' Rocket
  • Super Amusement Park

Alive!

Children can have great fun building these beasts to life! Not only can the toys be bought, but there are videos and games to accompany this theme. There are also scary legends accompanying each beast too! The models that can be bought include:

  • Sea Beast
  • Manticore
  • Iguanadon
  • Raptorium
  • Chimera
  • Phoenix
  • Basilisk
  • Charging Bull
  • Slashing Griffin

Tubs 'N Cases

These products don't restrict a child's imagination to a single creation, but are loaded with different parts and suggestions to create some amazing models. Tubs consist of a 250 Piece Set, a 275 Piece Set, a 400 Piece Set or a 425 Piece Set. Cases include Fun Sets, Model Sets or a Builders Choice Set.

Vehicles

There are a whole range of vehicles that can be built and most come with special features. Products include:

  • Stunt Wheels – Jagged Run and Downhill Thrill
  • Racers – Power Slammers, Sail Racer, Kart Racer and RC Burnout Dragster
  • Battlers – Saw Zaw, Hammer, Smasher, Thrasher, Buzz Cut and Slice 'N Dice

Flex K'Nex

With Flex K'Nex, you can build flat shapes and then 'flex' them into 3D models. Models that can be built include Space Patrols, Cool Cruisers and Construction Squads.

ReKonstructors

ReKonstructors is a story about a team of elite pilots who are marooned on a mysterious planet and discover that they are able to reconstruct into different forms to defend themselves against their enemies. This product obviously differs from the others, as it has a whole theme to push young children's imaginations further. Whereas the other K'Nex products are just about the building, ReKonstructors pulls together the toy with a creative story. ReKonstructors toys include:

Kid K'nex Pieces
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Kid K'nex Pieces
  • Elite Pilots
  • Zekorian Creatures
  • XTractors
  • Zekorian Fossils
  • Strike Force

Kid K'Nex

Products are also available for really young children, encouraging interaction between child and parent and encouraging learning.

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Comment by nobody, Wednesday 13th May 2009
Rating:

i love knex

Comment by karrena, Wednesday 1st April 2009
Rating:

thats really nice

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