It’s a superhero, it’s a king, no wait, its an astronaut!
Those are not usually the phrases you hear when you see your child play with a building toy, but that is not the case with Brackitz. We were first introduced to Brackitz at Toy Fair NY 2015. We were definitely intrigued so when we were offered a sample to review, of course we said YES!
With Brackitz there are endless possibilities to build, create and play! This innovative building set comes with wooden planks that are connected using colorful plastic connectors (blue, orange, yellow and red). It is available in 3 options: Creator Set (50 pieces), Architect Set (100 pieces) and Master Builder Set (200 pieces). The pieces fit together easily making for hours of fun and limitless design opportunities. Kids can play together or independently to create their own architectural masterpieces.
Brackitz comes with wooden planks and colored connectors in an easy to carry case.
Brackitz is a wonderful addition to the world of STEM and STEAM education. For those of you who don’t know, STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. STEAM throws Art into the mix as well. By combining all of these concepts into one toy, kids are introduced to various foundational skills as well as build upon important academic concepts that will enhance their success in school and in life. With Brackitz, kids enter into the world of engineering, design and architecture which, in turn, enhances their math, science and art skills. Who knew a toy could offer so much learning potential?
My boys had so much fun playing with their Brackitz Creator set. It was the perfect size set as they are young and just beginning builders. My 3 year old loved making small designs like a boat and plane. He also worked on labeling and sorting the bright colored connectors. My 5 year old had more elaborate plans as he (with the help of his dad) made a building, dinosaurs, a rocket shop, a crown, a sword and a shield. Did I mention this was all done in one afternoon? I told you the possibilities were endless.
Look at this amazing dinosaur Tyler and his dad made!
At Mommy University, we are always looking for new toys and products that offer opportunities for learning through play as well as amazing teachable moments. Brackitz does just that. My boys had so much fun playing that they did not even realize how many skills they were developing. There are so many benefits to playing with Brackitz from building foundational skills to gaining knowledge about engineering. Here are some benefits I found while watching my boys play:
4 Benefits of Playing with Brackitz
Fosters Creativity and Imaginary Play
With Brackitz my boys were able to create designs that turned into stories and games. Since Brackitz does not come with set designs and plans, it allows for pure imagination and creativity. My son became a superhero with a sword and shield, and in the same hour, turned into a king with a crown and sceptre. While Tyler “ruled the world,” Trevor ran around the house with his small airplane. Brackitz created a fun world full of adventure and mystery right in our own living room.
With Brackitz, Tyler created his own superhero adventure.
Enhances Cognitive Development
Once Tyler decided what he wanted to make, he had to figure out how to make it. He had to mentally visualize the design then turn it into a tangible 3-dimensional creation. This is a complex, higher order skill that takes time to perfect. It involves mental manipulation, visual-motor integration, spatial organization and, of course, patience. So why are these skills important? Building skills in these areas help improve academic skills such as math calculations, story recall, memory and problem solving.
Introduces Kids to Engineering Concepts
While building kids learn what makes a structure stronger and weaker. They learn how to put the pieces together to make them stand straight up or sideways. Kids learn basic design and architectural concepts that can be fostered by continued play and creative thinking. My son even made his own design with a windmill feature. This added movement to the mix making for an expanded learning experience.
Encourages Cooperative Play
Like stated earlier, Brackitz can be played independently, but it is also a wonderful toy to play with others. Kids can work together to create simple and complex designs. Teamwork and cooperation are important life skills needed for success in school, a career and life. Brackitz is a wonderful toy to teach kids cooperative play, turn taking and positive social communication skills.
Tyler worked closely with his dad to create fun designs!
As you can clearly see, Brackitz offers an amazing learning experience that involves fun and creativity. This toy is also well-made, sturdy and durable making it perfect for hours of play! The Creator, Architect and Master Builder sets (affiliate links) can all be purchased on amazon.com starting at just $29.95.
I have never heard of these but I bet my Lego loving son would have a blast with them.
Your son will love them!! They are so much fun!