Building toy for "contraptions"?

[sarahsthreads]

DD1 likes building "contraptions" - not really building things with Legos or blocks, but sort of more free-form things out of random toys and lacing strings and whatever else she finds around the house that she calls her contraptions. Sort of vaguely Rube Goldberg type of ideas...that don't actually do anything. Yet.

So DH thought we should look into getting her some sort of building toy that isn't Legos or blocks but more free-form for Christmas or her birthday. (Because we need yet another toy with a million pieces, right?)

But I don't know what to look for. I've never really been a builder myself - I can follow Lego directions, but not really create my own unique stuff - so this is not something I know a lot about. (Though she does come by the random mixing thing honestly - in grade school my best friend and I used to spend hours in her mom's kitchen making "mixtures" out of various food ingredients, that invariably turned out completely inedible. And then we graduated to chemistry sets...)

Any ideas?

Thanks!
Sarah

[katydid1971]

Knex...They snap together like legos but are more 3d.

[katydid1971]

Or Zoobs or Gears!Gears!Gears!

eta: Oh and Tinker toys of course!

[sarahsthreads]

Ooh, K'nex! She played with these at a friend's house and really loved them. I just called the mom and asked, and they're actually the "kid k'nex" version that's flexible. But they seem to be the only kind with eyes and such that can be made into creatures (which is what she was enjoying making there) - am I going to regret getting a set that's meant for 3+ for my 6 year old?

Thanks!
Sarah

[sarahsthreads]

Zoobs look pretty cool. I found a set online that has a remote control body and pieces that you snap onto it to turn into creatures that can move. I think she'd *really* like that! She seems less into gears, though she's never really had an opportunity to play with them.

I also saw Tinker Toys and Lincoln Logs in an Amazon search...I used to LOVE playing with Lincoln Logs as a kid. So now I'm considering getting her a more modern building toy for her birthday in October and getting her Lincoln Logs for Christmas - and doing a whole "Little House on the Prairie" type of theme for Christmas, with the Lincoln Logs, a simple doll (maybe with some handmade clothes), a new flannel nightgown, a book and some handknit mittens. Plus, this solves the "problem" of DD2 having anything and everything she could want or need already as the second girl - I can give her pretty much all the same types of things!

Sarah

[katydid1971]

FWIW I buy Roy Toy not Lincoln Logs. They are made in the USA and about the same price.

[kristac]

Superstructs are similar to tinkertoys but have a few more specialty pieces that your DD might enjoy. DS1 uses them to make "clocks" and Rube Goldberg type devices.

He enjoys using k'nex to build contraptions too.

He also really like the Matchbox Mega Rigs line- all of the pieces are compatable so he can make a snow pirate rocket, etc.

I saw Toobers and Zots at TJ Maxx this week for $5 and thought they might be fun for that type of building. (Not this exact set)
http://www.amazon.com/As-Seen-On-TV-...5355154&sr=1-2

I have this lego "book" on DS' Christmas list-
http://www.amazon.com/Lego-Crazy-Act...5355025&sr=1-1

If she like animals how about zoo morphs or bonz?
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss...sprefix=bug+bo
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_no...rds=zoo+morphs

[brittone2]

DS1 is like this.

Zoob and Knex were going to be my suggestions. We have a few random books on how to design stuff out of junk, etc. and he likes that.

Found this site yesterday and sent it to DH saying it is DS1's dream come true.

http://www.instructables.com/tag/type-id/category-play/

[kristac]

Continuing on the Rube Goldburg line of thought-

Mousetrap- http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_no...ords=mousetrap

Domino Race- (we have this) http://www.amazon.com/Alex-Big-Top-F...360308&sr=1-12
this looks fun too: http://www.amazon.com/Goliath-80848-...5360678&sr=1-4

Marble Run- DS loves our Discovery Toys Marbleworks or something like this:
http://www.amazon.com/Quercetti-Marb...ce_t_ai_-1_t_1

[bubbaray]

I also saw Tinker Toys and Lincoln Logs in an Amazon search...I used to LOVE playing with Lincoln Logs as a kid. So now I'm considering getting her a more modern building toy for her birthday in October and getting her Lincoln Logs for Christmas - and doing a whole "Little House on the Prairie" type of theme for Christmas, with the Lincoln Logs, a simple doll (maybe with some handmade clothes), a new flannel nightgown, a book and some handknit mittens. Plus, this solves the "problem" of DD2 having anything and everything she could want or need already as the second girl - I can give her pretty much all the same types of things!

Sarah

Have you seen this: http://www.knex.com/building_toys/li..._farmhouse.php

I may totally steal your idea of a "little house" Christmas....