Which erector set to buy

But Erector's cred goes deeper than just being a fun toy. Imagineers turned to Erector sets for prototyping the Soarin' ride at Disney theme parks and the construction toy is also credited as playing a role in prototyping the first artificial heart. The toy has evolved a lot since the days of bare metal and tiny screwdrivers. RC cars, motorized sets, and licensed products are now the norm, including the new Gears of War line. I have to admit to being a little skeptical at first; what's the point of marketing a mature game to kids eight and older the recommended age for these sets?

Sold and shipped by Learning Resources. Sold and shipped by Kaplan Early Learning Company. Sold and shipped by Spreetail.

Free 2-day shipping Not in stores. Matches for "erector" 4 results. Check nearby stores. Related searches. Did you find what you were looking for? For order, account issues, or specific item inquiries, please contact us. Recommendations for you. Get top deals, latest trends, and more. Email address. Sign up. About Target Careers. Email Signup. This will be a benefit once your child satisfies themselves with the challenges and wants to learn to do more.

The table below compares only the recommended products on this page. A low or high Price means it is low or high compared to the other products listed. The Popularity Score reflects how often readers click on and buy the product. The Quality Score is our assessment of the overall performance and satisfaction with the product compared to others in the table.

Erector sets are building sets that challenge your child. They work on putting together many little pieces in a certain way with the intention of creating a masterpiece. Erector sets can be stationary or motorized. There are kits for construction vehicles, Ferris wheels, robots, buildings, and countless others. For avid builders, a super construction set might be a good choice. Super construction sets can make ten, twenty, or even more buildings. Erector sits have several developmental benefits for your child, letting them develop important cognitive skills.

When they are assembling the different pieces and putting them together, they are using hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. Erector sets also encourage imagination and creativity. Your child must come up with creative solutions to the set, which encourages problem-solving skills.

Once your child builds some of the basic models and gets familiar with the sets, some also have enough pieces that they can create their own models. This lets them try new things and encourages their creative side. Build more problem-solving skills with a best marble run set. Motorized building sets use motors that make different parts move.

For example, a set might let you build a working crane or a Ferris wheel that goes in circles. Motorized sets have the benefit of helping your child learn how a motor works to make things move, which is important in fields like engineering and science. Usually, the motorized sets are more complicated to build and are designed for children ages 8 and older. The best erector set that you choose for your child is going to affect their overall level of interest.

Like many things, kids are going to be more motivated when they are interested. Here are a few things to keep in mind. Some of the erector sets in this review are designed to grow with your child, including instructions for simpler builds and more advanced builds. If you choose an erector set that is too advanced, your child might become discouraged before they start building.

You should use age ranges as a guide when choosing erector sets for your child. However, you should also consider the skill level of other sets they have built and if they might be ready to try something harder. The most common materials building sets are made of are metal, wood, and plastic.

Metal sets are commonly sued when building airplanes, cars, and other vehicles because of the visual element. Metal is a good, sturdy material. Wooden erector sets are usually easier for younger kids to build because they have a simpler design and larger parts. Finally, plastic parts are especially common in erector sets for kids. These are not as sturdy as metal but they come in brighter colors. They are also generally more affordable than metal or wood erector play sets.

When buying the best erector set made of plastic, be sure to look for thicker pieces that are durable. When your child is younger, they might lack the fine motor skills need to assemble smaller parts. Smaller parts are also harder to lose and can be a choking hazard for younger children. The tools that are included might also come into play. Erector sets have the goal of building something specific. Having clear instructions reduces frustration. Look for instructions with clear wording and detailed pictures.

Having colored pictures can also help, especially if your child is building with a colorful erector set. Some kids build erector sets and then collect all the individual vehicles, buildings, and other structures they have made. If your child likes exploring different ways that pieces can fit together, consider buying an erector set that makes more than one structure. Any time that you buy something with small parts, there is a risk that there will be a piece or two missing.

It is best to buy erector sets from a reputable company with a good return policy and solid customer service. This will ensure you get the pieces you need as soon as possible so your child can start building. When you choose sets that work with the pieces of sets your child already owns, they can build bigger and more complex ideas.

This encourages creativity and also extends the life of an erector set since your child can build more advanced ideas as they become more familiar with the set. Some erector sets have unique features that help your child understand key areas. For example, a motorized set can help your child understand how motors make different pieces move.

Robotics sets can help your child understand programming. Even things like magnetic sets can help your little one understand polarity while stacking sets help them understand gravity, balance, and other aspects of physics. Erector building sets give your child a chance to develop critical skills while exploring concepts like building and engineering. By challenging them to create new things and solve problems, they are also learning skills that can help them in other areas of life. Samantha Davis is a part-time writer and a full-time mommy of two boys, Apollo age 5 and Adrien age 7.

She has been working as a writer for seven years and loves the freedom it gives her to spend time with her boys and fiance. She is also a parent to three fur babies- two dogs and a cat! We are mom-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission. Meccano Super Construction in-1 Set. Lincoln Logs Piece Set. Why are erector sets a good gift for kids? What are motorized erector sets?