Now Kids Can Build Their Own Blasters!

K’NEX’s new K-Force Build and Blast Mega Boom Building Set gives master blasters the opportunity to build their own blasters, capable of blasting a dart up to 75 feet away!  What kid wouldn’t want to build their own blaster?

We love this idea, it cultivates creativity, engineering, and focus.  Although there is no inherent technology in this set, we wanted to highlight the K-Force Mega Boom Building Set due to its STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) nature.  

Kids can build their own blasters using up to 335 enclosed K’NEX pieces.  They follow step-by-step instructions to build the blaster they’re interested in.  K’NEX includes so many varied K’NEX pieces, that kids will likely explore building their own custom blasters too.

The K’NEX Mega Boom Building Set includes rods, connectors, 2 blaster chambers, 3 dart holders, 2 pre-load rings, and 7 foam darts.  Kids can even build two different  blasters to challenge each other in a draw.

To build the blaster on the package, you can use the enclosed instructions.  For more options, you can go online and download instructions for 5 alternate blasters and build-able targets.

K’NEX created  a number of K-Force Build and Blast kits.  Every kit is compatible with the entire K-Force line.

Pros:

• Stimulates kids’ curiosity, allowing them to build their own version of blasters
• A comprehensive kit, featuring over 335 included K’NEX pieces
• The blaster shoots darts up to 75 feet away and are pretty precise – kids will love this!

Cons:

• With over 375 K’NEX pieces and a large instruction booklet (to build only 1 blaster), building is a bit overwhelming 
• Building the blaster took a considerable amount of time (roughly 3 hours)
• The retail price of $49.95 is a bit costly, though Walmart’s rollback price or $30.50 is more reasonable

The K’NEX Mega Boom Building Set is recommended for kids 8+ and is on rollback at Walmart right now for $30.50.

A Mom’s Perspective

I love toys that involve building things, and enabling kids to build their own blasters is right in line with this.  It’s good for kids to see how things are created and to focus on instructions to learn how to build something.  I gave the K’NEX Mega Boom Building Set to my son to play with when he had a good friend come cover one day.  I expected them to spend the whole afternoon building.

They boys were excited and took out all of the pieces and pulled out the instructions.  They lasted about 7 minutes before they ditched the directions and started building their own blasters to use on each other.  They came into my office and showed me different designs they made.  They were simple designs, but shot the darts very well.

Minutes later they had redesigned the family room as a battle zone complete with impressive-looking barriers.  The battle ensued for a good 40 minutes until my son’s friend’s mom came to pick him up.  

My son and his friend will be ten next month. I believe they were a bit overwhelmed by the number of pieces and the size of the instructions.  This type of toy is best used with a child and their parent (or other adult) building the blaster together.  I think the building of the blaster, according to its directions, are best geared towards teenagers and older.

Nonetheless, whether kids build the blaster according to directions or based on their creativity, they will have a lot of fun playing with this kit.

*   I was given a K’NEX Mega Boom Building Set in exchange for my honest review.  All opinions are my own.