Tinker Toy 200-piece Plastic Construction Set

Because our kids love Tinkertoys, to the extent that there are never enough pieces for the three of them (each day, it's a different color or shape being on demand by all three: ie, everyone needs more yellow circles than we have), we bought this 200-piece plastic construction set and also a 200 piece wooden construction set from somewhere else. We had other sets prior to adding 400 new pieces, too, and we STILL get outbursts of HEY, I need all of those! But, the important thing is that our kids love these, it utilizes their creativity, motor skills, their imaginations and sense of adventure. These kids will make structures that are their robots, vehicles, space ships, bad guys, good guys, etc. and they will excitedly run around with them, boasting each invention's "features" (MINE has ultra radar-blocking power)...As far as durability and safety: I wouldn't say that either wood or plastic was advantageous over the other. The wooden stick-pieces are easily snapped in half, leaving a splintering risk. The plastic wheels are easily broken in half, as they are an assembled piece (by the manufacturer, we parents don't have to snap the wheels together), not a solid unit. Once split apart, the wheels are easily broken and unfixable, and can have some edges that would be uncomfortable to step on (think Lego-injury to the foot). There are pros and cons to each medium, but I think I prefer the plastic. The sticks don't break on the plastic sets, and you need more sticks than joiners. And, even when the plastic pieces do break, they won't give you splinters. Stepping on a broken wheel wouldn't impale a child's foot or anything, but a badly-placed jagged wooden stick (think stuck upright between the slats of a kid's play fort) could be an ER visit? Whichever you choose, know that the parts are, thankfully, interchangeable. We've had no trouble putting plastic sticks in wooden wheels or vice versa.

I picked this set over the other 105-piece set offered here because there are so many more pieces for the money. Once I get it, I notice that this is a different set with somewhat different pieces, and all the pieces are made of plastic, while the other set is made of wood. I don't mean this to be a bad thing, because there are a few ingenious-looking connectors that you can turn to change its angle of connection, and I doubt it can be made in wood the same way. I bought it for my 5 year old son who finds it a little difficult to poke the sticks into the connectors because they fit rather snug, but after a while he got used to it. He isn't used to it not having instruction like Legos, though, so he just looks at the picture on the can with frustration until I build it for him. I then take digital pictures as I dismantle the project so that he can then use them as instructions. He does OK. The set is bright colored and sturdy, and it makes a beautiful and realistic Ferris wheel that stands about 2.5 feet tall, complete with ride chairs that remains vertical as the wheel spins.Besides not having instructions, my other complaint is that the entire set fills only half of the can if you just dump everything in, and the can is made out of paper (except for its top and bottom). I think they wouldn't have gone broke if they made the whole can in tin, and it would have lasted a lot longer. Overall, I am happy with my purchase, but I may consider buying the other set too.

Tinker Toys never change. This set is extremely durable and with the bright colors, adds to the creative fun of making something special. My only problem was getting my grandson to take it apart when it was time to put away. He soon discovered that each time was a new idea for him...we love them.

I bought tinkertoys for my granddaughters and at first I was disappointed in the container being only half full, but now that we have had them for awhile it makes sense when you try and put them all back in. The girls and I really enjoy building things so feel it was a worthwhile purchase. Makes them use their imaginations.Enjoy shopping at Amazon it's easy and has quick delivery.

Great product but a bitter disappointment for the one-half full tin. I could not take it away from a 5 year old grandson but the container was just over 1/2 full. As a child I could make many interesting things. This set has so few parts one item is max.Very poor value.

I have a 4 and 5 year old nephews, they play with these toys all of the time and create wonderful spaceships, cars, "Transformers", swords and have a wonderful time. I love watching their little brains figuring things out!!

I purchased the set for my grandsons ages 4 and 6. Finally I have found a toy they will actually play with. They will spend hours building and creating objects and animals. I plan on adding-on the the set I purchased so there will be even more creativity.

This really gets the creative juices flowing! Amazing creations from our grandchildren - and they love it. A really pleasant change from computer games. What we would like to get, to supplement this, is the Space Explorer set, and the Toy Builder set. Our kids had those, and they were absolutely great; however, they don't seem to be available anymore. If they are, I haven't been able to find them.