Thames & Kosmos Kids First Intro to Gears
Gears make things move! Join Ty and Karlie - the young engineers featured in the other Kids First early engineering kits - to build four awesome geared machines and learn all about how gears work. This introductory mechanical engineering kit for kids ages three and up features 61 durable, reusable, easy-to-handle pieces, ensuring long-lasting fun and exploration.
Intro to Gears is a fun and engaging way to explore the many amazing things gears can do. With many big and small gears, kids can learn about gear ratios, gear trains, transmissions, power, and torque. The full-color, step-by-step manual explains to parents and adult supervisors how to build the models and how information can be presented to kids.
By sharing simple engineering concepts with children, parents, teachers, and caregivers can lay the groundwork for strong STEM-related skills and comprehension at an early age. Model building helps develop fine motor skills, mechanical engineering skills, visual-spatial skills, and reasoning and concept development skills. The modular building pieces in this kit are compatible with other Thames & Kosmos Kids First early engineering kits so kids can use their imaginations to create and build whatever they dream up.
- Introductory mechanical engineering kit for ages three and up
- Build four awesome geared machines.
- Large, durable plastic parts are perfect for small hands and safe to use.
- Building pieces and are compatible with components from other Kids First early engineering kits.
- Full-color, eight-page manual includes clear and detailed step-by-step assembly instructions.
- Unique and engaging way to introduce simple engineering concepts to young children.
- Develops fine motor skills, mechanical engineering skills, visual-spatial skills, and reasoning and concept development skills.
- Endless possibilities for open-ended creative play
Ages: 3+ years
- Experiments: 4
- Piece Count: 61
- Manual Pages: 8
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Batteries Required: N/A
Made in Taiwan
Awards
- 2022 PureWow Happy Kid Awards (Best Battery-Free STEM Toy)
- >2022 Purdue University’s Engineering Gift Guide
Educational value
The Thames & Kosmos Kids First Intro to Gears specifically focuses on introducing young children (aged 3 and up) to the world of gears and their applications. Here's how it delivers educational value:
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Hands-on introduction to gears: Through building four different models with large, chunky gears, children get a practical understanding of how gears mesh together and create movement.
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Learning about fundamental concepts: The kit introduces basic mechanical concepts like gear ratios, gear trains, how gears affect speed and direction of rotation (torque).
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Exploration of real-world applications: The included activities and experiments encourage children to think about where gears are used in everyday life, sparking curiosity about the world around them.
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Development of fine motor skills: Building the models with chunky parts helps young children develop the dexterity and control of their small hand muscles.
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Cause-and-effect learning: As children turn cranks and observe the resulting motion, they learn about cause-and-effect relationships.
Overall, the Thames & Kosmos Kids First Intro to Gears is a valuable tool for:
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Planting the seeds of STEM learning: It ignites an interest in science, technology, engineering, and math through a fun and engaging activity.
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Encouraging problem-solving: Kids can experiment with different gear configurations to achieve desired results, fostering critical thinking skills.
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Building a foundation for future learning: This early exposure to gears lays the groundwork for understanding more complex mechanical concepts later on.
WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD - Small parts. Not for children under 3 yrs.
