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Christmas

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Original poster

Gravitrax - what age and how to start?

14 replies

BendingSpoons · 19/09/2023 07:10

DS is 4.5 and loving his marble run at the moment. He enjoys problem solving (maths sums and more practically e.g. building obstacle courses). I'm wondering about Gravitrax for Christmas. What age is it pitched at and how long does it last before they outgrow it? I also have a 7yo, so not too worried if it is a bit fiddly for him as she/we could help, but don't want it to be played with briefly and then forgotten about.

Also any recommendations of how to do it? Buy a starter set and a few add ons? I like the look of the zip wire for instance. I could get relatives to buy the add ons. Any alternatives people would recommend?

OP posts:

wouldthatbeworse · 19/09/2023 11:45

It’s fun but hard to build. My 7yo who can handle any Lego set struggles. I’d park it for a couple of years unless you have a lot of time to play with them.

wouldthatbeworse · 19/09/2023 11:46

maybe snap circuits instead?

meow1989 · 19/09/2023 12:34

What marble run do you have? Ds5 has the vetch one and loves it - it's one of the most successful toys we've had and you can get lots of add ons

MiniStormInATeacup · 19/09/2023 13:06

I bought a starter set for my then 5 nearly 6 year old Dd a couple of years ago.

She loves it and never has any difficulty with making tracks. There is a booklet with ideas but she just free styles mainly. The marbles are small but if your child is sensible then this shouldn't be an issue.

You can get add on accessories to build extra things eg. Bridge or swing etc. So it's a gift where you can add on In later years or family can by extras.

DD is now 7.5. And her and a friend spent ages making marble runs with it.

Original poster

BendingSpoons · 19/09/2023 17:40

Thanks everyone for your thoughts, I'll have to think about it. DS is sensible and good at concentrating but might struggle with the fine motor side of it. It could be a joint present with DD7, but not sure whether she would want it as much.

I'll have a look at the Vtech marble run. I'm not sure what brand we have currently. It's a decent enough one with some loop the loop bits etc but I'm sure there are more exciting ones out there.

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Simd1 · 19/09/2023 19:25

I'd say Gravitrax is better for older than 4. I think it says 8+ on the box. DS1 got it aged 8 and he's barely played with it - he seems to prefer DS2's Vtech one! For problem solving if you want general toy recommendations I'd look at Smart Games - they are fab and do loads for younger kids, maybe Rush Hour junior as well. Kapla for building?

Britneyfan · 20/09/2023 04:06

My son is 16, I got some for him a couple of Christmases ago and he still loves it 🤣 So it has longevity! But this is maybe a little young. I reckon age 7-8 is perfect. And yes I bought a starter kit and a couple of add ones that I thought looked exciting.

Oysterbabe · 20/09/2023 07:01

I'm thinking about it for my 6 year old. He too has a big sister who will step in, and obviously I'm happy to sit and build with him.
Still undecided. He has a cheap marble run which he enjoys but it's quite limited.

Original poster

BendingSpoons · 20/09/2023 07:06

The Vtech marble run does look pretty cool, so I might go for that. Rush Hour Junior looks perfect for him too! He loves Ticket to Ride Junior (he plays by himself when we are busy), Outfoxed (a collaborative one) and Carcassonne. This is what makes him tricky to buy for, as he enjoys games aimed at 7+ with a little bit of help, but sounds like the Gravitrax might be too fiddly for him. I guess he might get a couple of years out of the Vtech one and then if he still likes it, we can move on.

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Original poster

BendingSpoons · 20/09/2023 07:09

Oysterbabe · 20/09/2023 07:01

My other option is to subtly ask his big sister if she is interested in it too. They will be almost 5 and 8 by Christmas and I'm finding it harder to think of toys for DD, but still want her to have something to play with. So it could work as a joint present. Although she would probably like the Vtech one too.

I gave heard Reception have a 'really cool' marble run, so hopefully I can have a peek at that one too and see what it is. I want to avoid getting the same one, as by Christmas he will have played with it for hours if the past 2 weeks are anything to go by!

OP posts:

VoldemortsKitten · 20/09/2023 07:13

My boys are 8 and 10 and still play with the big marble run! We had one like this Marble Mania Marble Run - Marble Runs For Kids - 162 Pieces Plus Storage Tub - Construction Toys For 4,5,6,7 Year Old Boys or Girls - Educational STEM Toys For 4+ Year Olds amzn.eu/d/ayDcOnp

Also worth having a look at HEXBUG there are lots of different constructions to make. We had them from age 4.

HairyKitty · 20/09/2023 07:14

Gravitrax is way more difficult any annoying for your child than the adverts make you think. More suited for a patient 9+ year old.

Flubadubba · 21/09/2023 18:06

Agree with the Hexbugs. My 4 year old loves them, but equally her 7 and 11 year old cousins (and 40 year old dad!) do too.

Original poster

BendingSpoons · 22/09/2023 17:50

Thanks all, I haven't heard of Hexbugs so I'll add that to the list of ones to look at. It sounds like Gravitrax is one to leave for now as I want something that can be used independently most of the time.

I managed to spy the 'really cool' marble run at school and it was a fairly 'normal' one so I think most of these suggestions will be a step up in excitingness.

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