My son received an earlier version of this toy about 7 years ago when he was 2 from a wonderful "aunt."He was very interested in Duplo at that point and this toy totally occupied him for an hour or even two in my office.He did have trouble constructing complex "mazes" with the tubes at age 2 but was able to put short lengths together.By age 4, he could build anything with it.Somewhere around age 3, he surprised me by showing me a full tubular "donut" that he built all by himself out of 8 of the curved tube segments with one of the balls trapped inside.I am very serious about this toy introducing scientific concepts to toddlers.The little seesaw looking piece on the bottom left when built out with some Duplo rectangular pieces demonstrates balancing weights.The whole set is about geometry and physics.And don't forget FUN!Just about every child loves to build ball mazes and this toy has tunnels and pop-through gates, etc.Durable as well.I passed ours along recently to my scientific brother who just started his family, and it looked brand new.Simply an awesome toy all the way around.So glad to see there is still a version of it out there for others to buy and enjoy.WTG Lego!
This set has been very frustrating to use. My son (until 4 years old) had trouble putting the tubes together because the connection has to be just right. So, all right, I could build and he could play. My son watched patiently while I constructed a ball slide with 8 tube pieces. The ball slide broke with 5-6 runs. The Duplo people often get stuck in the ball slide/tunnel. Not a set for experimenting. We did make ovals and circles and swirled the ball inside. Kids stopped playing with this when they can play with marble run and small Lego. So you are looking at kids under 4 or under 5. Unfortunately the structures are not sturdy enough for kids of this age groups.
Very limited. Only for small scale construction. Not recommended.
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I have a home daycare & have been in business 9 years now. We have always had regular Lego duplos for my preschoolers and just recently purchased a duplo table with trundle. After having the same legos for 9 years, I decided to start searching for a few new items. We got a few Thomas Mega Bloks trains, some plastic track, and the Lego community vehicles set. But this tube set is by far the most used & played with. My littles can build small things and laugh as they put people or balls or other Legos down the small fast tubes. With my & my 9yo's help, we can build huge twisty tall structures. Heck, I even have a ball with them!
It comes with a few big base plates for stability(we don't need them since we have a duplo table), which you will need to build big structures. It comes with several kid people figures, about 75 Lego blocks, and many tubes & tube holders. It has several design picture cards for ideas to build & a great tote in which to keep everything together.
If I had to choose only 1 Lego duplo set to buy, this would be it. Lots on regular sized duplos, figures, and tubes with balls. Very very awesome!
Best thing to happen to the Lego....make tubes!!
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I did not realize when I ordered this that the age listed on the product box starts at 1 1/2 years.I almost returned it, as my boys usually enjoy toys over their ages. I am so glad we kept it, it is their favorite toy set.My 3 year old insists on packing it from room-to-room so he can have it handy at every possible moment. The storage bin is very sturdy and handy for portability and organization.Both love constructing loops and towers and other experiments with the tubing. There are plenty of pieces to build muli-level action and tubes.We build really big systems as a family and have combined our other duplo set (fully interchangeable) to accommodate these. But it is sufficient without extra pieces and bases.
This really keeps them entertained and creating and experimenting with such fun.
It's a great toy and they havent tired of it yet, after a few months and I anticipate it will be enjoyed for several years.
I wish I had found it sooner, I think it is appropriate and entertaining for ages 1-6.
I am updating this review now that my boys are 6 and 7 years old.As I anticipated, they continued to love this set and used it very regularly through about age 5.By 6, they have moved on to Star Wars and Ninjago and LEGO City kits.Although, the six year old who is more creative and really likes building things he still keeps this set by his bed and pulls it out occassionally.This set has been so meaningful to my boys that it will be one of the few items I store away for future days of grandchildren!
Happy building to all those little hands and minds out there!
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I purchased this for Christmas instead of one of the marble maze toys, thinking it might be more fun for young kids.Though the price seemed high, I now know it was worth it.The set comes with some cardboard examples of different things to build, and once I showed my 4 yr old how to do it, to my surprise he really caught on to the idea and enjoys picking out something to build from the pictures on the cards and figuring out how to build what it shows all by himself.It has held his attention more than most toys.I agree with the reviewer who said the tubes are a bit tricky to put together, but it is within the abilities of a 4yr old, given some practice.
