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Green Toys’ Tool Set doesn’t measure up
By Jeremiah | May 05, 2009 | 6 comments / Comment now
Green Toys' new Tool Set didn't impress us as much as their new line of vehicles, due largely to shortcomings common to this type of toy that the company could have improved on. They may sound like minor quibbles, but they add up and make this a toy Z won't be spending much time with. Here's the rundown:
The best thing about this set is the way the nuts and bolts are used - kids can tighten them using a screwdriver and a hand to hold the nut on the inside but there are a wrench and pair of pliers that both fit the nut and can encourage them to use two hands to remove them. This is actually "handy" considering how easily a child can over-tighten them when they put them on.
In other words, this is an unfortunate case of a new toy design that introduces variations on existing plastic tool sets or wooden tool sets, but these variations do not contribute to play, may cause some additional frustration, and can't compete on price. Ultimately, we think play tools should help a child understand the functions of real tools, and Green Toys' tool set fails that test on more than one count.
You can buy Green Toys' Play Tool Set on Amazon.com for $25. But we'd recommend one of the new Green Toys toy vehicles instead.
- Too few pieces, and the Phillips/flathead disappointment. Two bolts, two nuts, two nails, and two connectors for a tool box with 12 holes to screw or nail into? This is pretty standard for play tool sets, but we want this one to be different. We'd rather see a more expensive tool set with five or six nut/bolt sets and some longer connectors, so kids could actually, you know, connect them. Also, we were really excited to see two types of screwdrivers, but there is only one type of bolt (Phillips) which can be tightened/loosened with either one. Adding some flathead screws/bolts would have made the inclusion of these two tools relevant and instructive, as well as adding a lot more complexity (and thus interest) for little tool-users.
- Bad hammer and nail designs. The slightly wedge-shaped nails get stuck in the holes and require, at least for our four-year-old, adult assistance to remove. They can't be hammered out easily from the back because the tool box is too narrow, and the hammer's claw doesn't work, which is a big miss - a bigger head on the nail could have made prying them out with the hammer's claw possible.
- Tools without functions. The set comes with a saw, but there's nothing to cut. Add a plank of wood with Velcro or skip the saw entirely - it's the only tool here a child can't "use."
The best thing about this set is the way the nuts and bolts are used - kids can tighten them using a screwdriver and a hand to hold the nut on the inside but there are a wrench and pair of pliers that both fit the nut and can encourage them to use two hands to remove them. This is actually "handy" considering how easily a child can over-tighten them when they put them on.
In other words, this is an unfortunate case of a new toy design that introduces variations on existing plastic tool sets or wooden tool sets, but these variations do not contribute to play, may cause some additional frustration, and can't compete on price. Ultimately, we think play tools should help a child understand the functions of real tools, and Green Toys' tool set fails that test on more than one count.
You can buy Green Toys' Play Tool Set on Amazon.com for $25. But we'd recommend one of the new Green Toys toy vehicles instead.
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We’ve been debating the usefulness of this kind of toy. This one is better-looking than most but toy tool kits are pretty lame, in general, because of the glaring fact that you can’t make anything with them. You’re right, if there was a set of boards or blocks to attach/detach and saw apart, it could be a lot more fun. Bob, being a sculptor with a zillion carving tools in his studio, also questions why you would include a totally non-functional saw when you pretty much want to keep kids away from real ones.
Sets like these are great for object-name recognition, but little else.
Do you guys have a toolset that you do like?
What a bummer! I had high hopes and my girls have been begging for tools and trying to convince me that they should be allowed to use mine.
Are you going to be reviewing any of the wooden sets?
Has anyone seen the fabric Melissa & Doug tool set? I’m sure it’s geared for a younger age than other sets but I’m pleased with it for my 1 year old!
I’ve seen Melissa & Doug products at Borders bookstore but I don’t remember if they have the tool set. You can try calling them and asking though.
I think that extra nuts, bolts, screws, nails are a good idea because small items like that tend to get lost.
We have a workbench purchased at a garage sale and though there is nothing that they can actually saw in half, the like to pretend to saw.
But a plank of wood connected with velcro (like Melissa and Doug’s cutting fruit) is a great idea.
I may have to create one for our kids to use!