The kitchen faucet is leaking. The freezer isn’t as cold as it should be. The bathroom cabinet is squeaking… again. Every kid has watched their parents break out the tool box and get to fixin’ around the house, and now it’s time for them to get their hands on a tool of their own. (Seriously though, someone fix that freezer before the ice cream melts!)
Step aside, Mom and Dad. Designed for kids ages 3 and up, Educational Insights‘ Design & Drill BrightWorks set will leave kids feeling like they’re the most handy member of the family. Included in the set are 80 plastic, translucent “bolts” in various colors, one light-up activity board, one plastic power drill, two plastic drill bits, and an instruction booklet complete with 12 different design patterns for kids to explore.
Getting started is simple. Once the drill and activity board are loaded with batteries, (not included) creativity is granted free reign. Fitted with 64 holes, the activity board becomes the workplace, ready to receive it’s filling of colorful bolts. Kids can fasten either a plastic flat tip bit or socket bit into the end of the drill. After placing one of the bolts into a hole, they can use the kid-friendly drill to screw it in. The drill’s power switch has three different positions: forward, off, and reverse. This allows kids to screw their bolts both in and out of the activity board, building upon their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Once kids are satisfied with their work, they can flip a switch and illuminate their creations.
One of the best parts about the kit is the assortment of design patterns in the instruction booklet. Through colorful illustrations, Educational Insights gives kids the opportunity to try and match the colorful screws in their activity board with the patterns offered. It acts as a blueprint, and it’s a great addition to the product as it strengthens matching, patterning, and STEM skills. Kids on the younger end of the scale might require help with this part.
Overall, the Design & Drill BrightWorks set offers up a fun and educational adventure for budding designers and aspiring workshop warriors.
After all this hard work, how about that ice cream?
