Age
Age recommendations are quite conditional, but it is still not recommended to deviate from them. So construction toys for older children may contain small parts that a curious little child might swallow. At the same time, sets for little ones are easy to assemble and uninteresting for adult children. And an age-inappropriate construction set may turn out to be too complex and inconvenient, upsetting or even frightening the baby.
Note that the age category to some extent characterizes the maximum age at which the designer can be useful. For example, a set for
1+ and
2+ is unlikely to attract
an 8-year-old or even a
7-year-old primary school student, while a complex design
for 14+,
16+ and even
18+ often turns out to be interesting even for adults over 30 and even over 40. However, even within the same age category, much depends on the characteristics of a particular set, in particular, on the type of game. And there are design options for any age. In addition to those listed above, there are also
3+,
4+,
5+,
6+,
9+,
10+,
11+,
12+.
Number of pieces
The total number of parts included in the delivery of the designer. At the same time, the calculation, usually, also takes into account the details that make up individual characters (torso, arms, legs, head, etc.) — despite the fact that the figures are most often delivered assembled and are not designed for disassembly during normal use . Also note that the kit may include several spare parts, in case of breakage or loss of any of the main elements.
Connection
The main method of connecting parts used in the constructor.
— Block.
Block connection is based on a combination of protrusions and recesses. A classic example of such a connection is the Lego “bricks” known to many, but a similar principle is used in many other modern designers of all age categories. The block connection does not require a particularly complex shape of parts, it goes well with the most popular material for children's designers — plastic (see above), and is generally quite reliable; at the same time, when the assembled toy falls, the blocks are easily separated, and the product breaks up into separate parts (which reduces the risk of damage to these parts). Also note that this option is very versatile and suitable for designers of different age categories and types of games.
— Magnetic. In accordance with the name, in
magnetic designers, the parts are connected by permanent magnets. Modern technologies make it possible to create powerful and at the same time miniature magnets, due to which some sets of this type are not inferior to block ones in terms of the reliability of connecting parts (see above). And the connection and disconnection of magnets is extremely simple — after all, they themselves "stick" to each other, due to which such a connection is popular even in the younger age category.
—
Screw. Connection
...with screws and nuts. This option was very popular in the designers of the Soviet era; today its popularity has fallen somewhat, but screw sets are still very common. Screws are a rather difficult type of connection for a child; they require accuracy, painstaking and precise movements. This, on the one hand, can create difficulties, on the other hand, it makes screw sets very attractive for children who are fond of mechanics, construction, etc., and also develops fine motor skills.
— Hinged. Connections in the form of swivel mounts. Usually, one half of such a mount has the form of a “grip”, similar in shape to the letter U, and the second half is a cross-beam, for which the “grip” clings. Similar to the block ones described above, hinged mounts are used mainly in plastic constructors. They are easy to use, reliable enough and at the same time allow you to create both rotary and fixed connections (for example, with a square cross-section and the corresponding “grip”). On the other hand, hinges are less versatile, so they are relatively rare, mostly in parts kits (see "Game Type") and original themed kits (for example, dedicated to assembling robots).
— Adhesive. Connection using a special compound. Note that, unlike traditional glue, this composition is usually made "reusable". When dry, it reliably seizes the joints, and in order to disassemble the structure, it is enough to place it in water, which will dissolve the seams between the parts. At the same time, according to the method of preparation, such a “glue” is usually similar to cement — it is supplied dry, and you need to prepare the mixture yourself. This connection method is used in ceramic construction sets (see "Material"): it gives the child the opportunity to feel like a real builder, teaches accuracy and at the same time leaves room for creativity and the right to make mistakes.
Note that there are constructors that do not belong to any type of connection — these are primarily wooden sets for the smallest, where the parts are simply placed on top of each other, not fastened in any way.
