Learning Resources Playground Engineering & Design STEM Set - Kids Games, Ages 5+

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I received this product as part of an incentivized review program. I am an elementary art and STEM/STEAM teacher and am constantly looking for engaging toys that we can use in the classroom. The toy packaging was clear and eye pleasing. I liked the picture on the back that showed each of the pieces included in the box. Instructions were easy to understand and the activity booklet and cards offered good ideas and leading questions to follow. Activity cards are great for STEM/STEAM centered activities. The toy is a durable plastic made in bright colors. The pieces are easy to organize by color. The pieces fit easily together and do not require much force to assemble the structures. Both children and adults can enjoy the activity as they explore through building and solving problems. The toy gives children the opportunity to learn by exploring. They are able to do hands on problem solving for the activity cards which are included in the kit. Children learn through trial and error. They are able to use creativity in their designs and there is no one correct answer. These are key points in STEM/STEAM learning. I would you recommend this toy to a parents or teachers who want their children to learn while playing.

We unpacked all the bits and laid the instruction cards out and my 3 and 6 year old did the rest! I thought they would need some help but between them they chose what to build with the very easy to follow picture instruction cards, my 3 year old followed the pictures and collected the pieces and gave them to my 6 year old to build. They had so much fun making the play equipment for their little people - although we had to add eye stickers to make them real. The best bit was all of the combinations you could make, there are lots of cards, some just for a slide, swing, roundabout etc, others for a combination of some or all. they spent ages building, rebuilding then just making up their own equipment combinations. We did add a little blue tac for the slide, although my 6 year old had no issues my 3 year old is a little more heavy handed. The other pieces slotted in together well and were stable enough. Limitless play due to the many ways it can be used.

I received this product as part of an incentivized review program. I am an elementary art and STEM/STEAM teacher and am constantly looking for engaging toys that we can use in the classroom. The toy packaging was clear and eye pleasing. I liked the picture on the back that showed each of the pieces included in the box. Instructions were easy to understand and the activity booklet and cards offered good ideas and leading questions to follow. Activity cards are great for STEM/STEAM centered activities. The toy is a durable plastic made in bright colors. The pieces are easy to organize by color. The pieces fit easily together and do not require much force to assemble the structures. Both children and adults can enjoy the activity as they explore through building and solving problems. The toy gives children the opportunity to learn by exploring. They are able to do hands on problem solving for the activity cards which are included in the kit. Children learn through trial and error. They are able to use creativity in their designs and there is no one correct answer. These are key points in STEM/STEAM learning. I would you recommend this toy to a parents or teachers who want their children to learn while playing.

My daughters ages 4 and 7 really enjoyed playing with the STEM playground. They really didn't know they were learning which is the greatest part. In their mind they were making a playground. I think it's best at these ages for a parent to be involved to help put pieces together and guide the children. This is also not necessary for an older child. We had fun working on this as a family.

My daughters ages 4 and 7 really enjoyed playing with the STEM playground. They really didn't know they were learning which is the greatest part. In their mind they were making a playground. I think it's best at these ages for a parent to be involved to help put pieces together and guide the children. This is also not necessary for an older child. We had fun working on this as a family.

This was even more fun than we had expected. It was very interactive to play with and brainstorm with the kiddos (ages 3-5) and it was nice to have some thought-provoking solutions on the back of each card. The playground problems (slide is too hot) are very real situations that they were able to easily imagine themselves solving and opened dialogue for when we were actually at the park re: what could be done here/there/if they were designing it. Very cool! Only reason for 4 stars vs. 5 is it would be great to have even more cards or the option to purchase a second or third set at a later date that works with the same core products and then could add a few things here and there to build out the set.

The idea of this building set is adorable. However, the execution could be improved. For example, when many of the illustrated structures using the green pieces are built, they are so unstable they can be toppled just by blowing on them. The orange piece with the thinner ends broke the first time my granddaughter took a structure apart that used it. This would be wonderful if the pieces were re-engineered to be more solid and unbreakable for this age group.

The idea of this building set is adorable. However, the execution could be improved. For example, when many of the illustrated structures using the green pieces are built, they are so unstable they can be toppled just by blowing on them. The orange piece with the thinner ends broke the first time my granddaughter took a structure apart that used it. This would be wonderful if the pieces were re-engineered to be more solid and unbreakable for this age group.

My child specifically asked for this for her birthday and it was an instant disappointment. We have so many other Learning Resources toys and they're all great. This playground set, however, is very poor quality. The green rods are flimsy and bend easily; the slide doesn't click into the base and falls at the slightest touch; and the orange rod for the seesaw is so tight an adult can barely assemble or disassemble it. There's also black sharpie on some of the pieces. How did this pass quality control? Our child is so sad and, as her parent, I'm very frustrated and disappointed.

My child specifically asked for this for her birthday and it was an instant disappointment. We have so many other Learning Resources toys and they're all great. This playground set, however, is very poor quality. The green rods are flimsy and bend easily; the slide doesn't click into the base and falls at the slightest touch; and the orange rod for the seesaw is so tight an adult can barely assemble or disassemble it. There's also black sharpie on some of the pieces. How did this pass quality control? Our child is so sad and, as her parent, I'm very frustrated and disappointed.