Djeco Kinoptik Robots

A fascinating combo of art, construction/, science, and creative thinking! It’s a kind of animation kit that’s battery-free and off the screen, yet an engrossing open-ended construction set. Using the flat magnetic playing boards side by side and layered on top of each other, one creates illusions of motion. The 60 magnetic pieces are each printed with strange parts of a “robot” that are unlike the stereotypical robots of yesterday. There are arms, legs, eyes, antennae, and whatever to arrange on top of the magnetic board. Move the special black striped see-through screens over the construction and they come to life with motion—winking, blinking, spinning and waving. How many can you connect to make a moving feast for the eyes? This is one of several innovative kits of its kind by Djeco that invite kids to explore the world of optical illusions. It’s a STEM toy with playful connections to physics, engineering and creative thinking. As they construct their robots, kids use problem solving skills along with original thinking. It’s an open-ended kind of construction set that will be used in more and more complex ways as depending on the child’s age. 6-10