Construction kits for toddlers - any recommendations?

[asicsgirl]

Hi, DS is getting obsessed with screwdrivers, allen keys, 'fixing' things, etc. I'd like to get him a construction kit of some kind, preferably one that will make different vehicles - ideally with several different tools involved! He's two and a half but quite careful - copes quite well with smallish parts for example. I looked at Kid K'NEX but it all seems to be monsters/ other creatures, and the regular K'NEX will be too 'old' for him. Would be really grateful for your suggestions/ experiences!

i'm very intersted in this too asicsgirl, everythign i've got so far has been spurned. he wants real electric drills!

Brio Builder is fab, but my two loved and still play with our small stash of Kid K'nex and they are eight and four

Just been having a look at Brio Builder - looks right up his street! Marina (or anyone else who has it) - how long did your kids play with it for? Did it get superseded by something else quickly?

Ds is still using it off and on at eight, asicsgirl. Well worth the money IMO as it will last a second child or resell well on eBay if you prefer

My ds has brio builder and it was out this morning - he's 4.2. I bought some on ebay , it's quite expensive new. I think your 2.6yo would love it, I got it for ds2 at that age. He creates lots of odd-shaped things with it, not just what's on the box.

Brio builder or elc do a plastic larger version - you can make sit on and rides !

how about the build it thing at elc here or there is a cheaper one that goes with it!

here

does anyone have the elc version? is it any good?

my mum has it (if an older version) and dc's still like to get it out -they're 9 and 6 .

I don't have elc version, but god they're huge! the brio stuff is v.small if there's a space issue (and when isn't there) even put together.

Thanks for those suggestions! Nice to hear the Brio stuff is still in use years later. I'm currently expecting DS2 so if he's anything like DS1 they should get a good few years out of it. The ELC stuff does look good too... hmm!