Looking for that WOW gift for your STEM loving kid this holiday season? Check out the STEM Building Fun with K’NEX Wild Whiplash Roller Coaster + in-action video! This post is sponsored by K’NEX. All wildly fun opinions are my own
STEM Building Fun with K’NEX Wild Whiplash Roller Coaster
In such a digital age, it’s getting harder and harder to pull my 8-year old son away from anything with a screen. For this super smart 2nd grader, I find that this kid always needs a challenge when it comes to play time. Insert STEM Building Fun – the joys of completing a project that involves skills, critical thinking and hours of fun.
I’m all in. That’s why I was super excited to see that K’NEX is here this holiday season with the newest you-build-it roller coaster – toy and STEM building fun in one! Check out why the new K’NEX Wild Whiplash Roller Coaster makes the perfect STEM Building Fun gift for your little builder plus check out our bonus video of the roller coaster in-action!
3-Dimensional Building
When I think of K’NEX toys, I always remembered the really cool roller coaster sets from my youth. Never owning one before, I honestly had no idea what we were in for when the new K’NEX Wild Whiplash Roller Coaster landed at our front door. Over 14 feet of track, standing over 2 1/2 feet high and 580 pieces. It was a lot of “WOAH” in a box. Your child builds everything from the gears to the motorized chain lift, the climbing towers to the tracks.
And it’s not like brick building at all. We’re talking 360 degrees of moving, twisting, turning, connecting, stacking, climbing kind of building in a whole new 3-Dimensional world.
Problem Solving & Critical Thinking
That’s not to say that building a roller coaster is a walk in the park. This project took a few hours just to build – which I think was half of the fun for this kid. He loves getting his hands on a set of instructions, following the plans and completing a goal. Analyzing, thinking, shifting, twisting, rebuilding, asking questions, stopping, rethinking – I saw his own wheels turning as he built this roller coaster piece by piece.
I can see why this toy is for children ages 9 years+. But for this little boy, the challenge gave him more motivation to complete the project. “Mom, this says it’s for kids 9 years and up. I’m only 8, but I think I can do it.”
Engineering, Physics, Math – In Real Life
It’s always rewarding to be able to use those school skills in a real setting. Building a roller coaster is much more than just a toy that you play with. There’s real application of those STEM foundations as your child builds, plays and watches the roller coaster zoom around the track. And I love how all of that learning is hidden under the excitement of playing with a toy.
Gravity, pulleys, angles, torque, G-forces – there’s just so much learning goodness packed into this toy – but your kids are having way too much fun to notice. And bonus – there’s not a technology screen in sight! We can’t wait to build the 2nd coaster next!
Video
So building is fun, but what about seeing this K’NEX Wild Whiplash Roller Coaster in-action? Check out the fun video we made above to see this roller coaster move. It makes me so glad that this is a toy and NOT a real roller coaster. I don’t think that I could handle this many loops in real life!
Hours of FUN
Hours of building fun, ours of PLAYING without-a-screen fun, hours of interacting with our son through conversation, excitement and laughter – give me that all day long. The K’NEX Wild Whiplash Roller Coaster is more than a toy and more than a really cool STEM building fun project. It’s priceless memories that we will have with our 8-year old son as we watch him learn and grow. You can’t put a price tag on that.
STEM building fun is taken to the next level with the all-new K’NEX Wild Whiplash Roller Coaster Set. How cool would this toy be for your child this holiday season? Grab one exclusively at Walmart for the low MSRP of only $32.97 – such a steal for the hours of fun that our family continues to have! Be sure to follow K’NEX via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest for the latest STEM Building Fun toys, deals and more.
Do you have a STEM Building FUN child in your home? Why would they love the new K’NEX Wild Whiplash Roller Coaster Set?
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Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
My kids love K’NEX. I do, too. It keeps them motivated to learn, and it primes them for getting excited about STEM.
Jen Rattie says
Toys like this are always my first choice. Anything that keeps kids interested in learning and STEM is always a plus. It’s the future.
Colleen Lanin says
That is AWESOME! K’NEX has that rare ability to make challenging the mind fun for kids. It’s the final result that keeps them going, I think.
Cassie Tucker says
This is the perfect Christmas present! It is fun, educational, and it has a great price tag. You can’t beat it!
Pam says
K’Nex was one of my son’s favorite toys when he was younger. he would have loved this set.
Liz Mays says
Oh this is amazing. I really like when creativity and critical thinking come together. The finished coaster is so cool!
Amber Ludwig says
SO cool!! K’nex are one of the original STEM toys and I loved them as a kiddo!! Cannot wait until my son is old enough to build awesome things like this with them along with me!!
Marcie W. says
K’NEX sets are an awesome way to enjoy some hands on learning and fun. They are not just for kids either since my dad has one on his holiday wish list.
Reesa Lewandowski says
My brothers used to play with Knex years ago! I really should get them for my son!
Kristi says
I love K’NEX and thankfully my nephew does too because then I can give him something I love too!
Kristin C says
My daughter loves K’NEX – this looks like so much fun!
Ann Bacciaglia says
This is an excellent gift idea. It would be such a fun project to do together.
Theresa says
My oldest daughter excels in STEM learning and I know that she would love this! I bet she’d even invite her sister to help her piece it together, so it would definitely be a great bonding unit as well!
Crystal says
Building is always a huge source of joy for my kids. They would get a kick out of K’nex, especially the roller coaster theme!
Toni | Boulder Locavore says
This is really cool! My kids saw this online and he can’t wait to receive one!
Kristin says
Growing up I always loved Knew, they were so fun and you could literally build so many things.
Paula Atwell says
If you were only small enough to ride in it.
Dawn McAlexander says
I remember Knex from when I was a kid. I thought they were wonderful and highly educational. To me, those are the best gifts to give at Christmastime.
Christina Aliperti says
My son loved Knex when he was little and now my nieces love Knex too. This would be great for them this Christmas.
Melisasource says
My son loves K’ NEX! I discovered K’NEX by chance last holiday season and it has been a hit in my home.