LEGO® Chain Reactions: Design and build amazing moving machines

This was not an easy concept for the authors and product planners to execute. It's radically different than just assembling Legos from an instruction booklet. A lot of thought and effort went into the chain reaction concepts and resulting projects. The book layout, the security so that the parts actually arrive at the consumer, the durability of the non Lego paper components, the directions on how to fold the paper components etc, etc, etc. are thoughtfully done. I think they struck a very good balance so this would not cost an arm and a leg. Some might call it cheap (a few Lego pieces, a beautiful well laid out instruction book with nicely printed paper components) but I call it cost effective. A lot of what you're paying for here is in my opinion is the wow factor of the book and the well thought out concepts. I supported my 7 year old grandson's effort to build the first project. My 5 year old grandson looked at what was involved and walked away I think because it looks complicated and the projects contain very few pieces. Both of them are very skilled Lego builders who pride themselves on their ability to throw lots of pieces together quickly. Does that sound familiar to you? So... I think what motivates most young Lego builders is assembling lots of pieces quickly and having a relatively static object to play with when done. The chain reaction projects aren't that at all. They don't look like much -to an adult - when complete. They are challenging in my view mostly because of the need for precision alignment between the paper parts and the Lego motion actuators the kids assemble to create the Chain the Reaction. Once assembled and aligned, making it function can require trial and error, motivation to succeed, precision hand and eye coordination and patience. I think that doing the first project successfully might be a make or break point for this product. Failure would surely be a deterrent towards doing subsequent projects in the book so initial success seems very important at least for younger children. The greatest joy my grandson experienced (and it was great joy) was the moment the first project functioned properly for the first time after several complete and partial failures (just as his patience was wearing thin) and then joy again once the chain reaction was rehearsed and easily repeatable so as to show his parents without failure. Having achieved this first success he was excited about doing more projects. It remains to be seen what his long term interest level will be. Yes.. This is radically different than just sticking prices together and success is not easy considering that the projects are minimalist in the total number of pieces. However I think the lessons and skills this product teaches are very important, worthwhile and noteworthy. Aside from the skills mentioned above this is also elementary physics of motion, weight, angle, momentum, etc. In summary, it appears that, assuming success along the way, the complicated chain reactions are fun for children to assemble, challenging to make fully, reliably functional and thrilling once they work for that first time. It's all good stuff!

LEGO Chain Reactions is a science and engineering kit designed to teach children (and even adults) about the principles of physics through fun, hands-on activities. The kit encourages users to build 10 different moving machines, each designed to trigger a chain reaction. It's suitable for children aged 8 and up and can be used as an educational tool to foster creativity and problem-solving skills. Key Features Comprehensive Kit: The kit includes 33 LEGO pieces, instructions for 10 different machines, and essential elements like ramps, gears, and string. Additional components, such as balls and paper ramps, help in creating more elaborate chain reactions. Educational Value: Teaches basic physics concepts like cause and effect, momentum, and gravity. Encourages critical thinking and problem-solving as children figure out how to connect different machines to create a continuous chain reaction. Illustrated Instructions: The included book provides clear, step-by-step instructions with colorful illustrations, making it easy for kids to follow along and build the machines. Encourages Creativity: While the kit includes instructions for 10 specific machines, it also encourages users to invent their own designs, enhancing creativity and innovation. Pros Engaging and Fun: The interactive nature of building and triggering chain reactions keeps children engaged and entertained. Educational: Provides a hands-on learning experience that reinforces STEM concepts. Easy to Use: Clear instructions and colorful illustrations make it accessible for children to use independently. Expandable: Compatible with other LEGO sets, allowing for more complex and customized creations. Cons Limited Pieces: The set includes a limited number of LEGO pieces, so additional LEGO sets might be needed for more complex projects. Requires Patience: Younger children might need adult assistance, especially when setting up more intricate chain reactions. Fragility: Some of the constructed machines can be delicate and may require careful handling to avoid breaking. User Experience Positive Feedback: Users often praise the kit for its educational value and the fun, interactive learning experience it provides. Family Activity: Many families enjoy using the kit together, finding it a great way to bond while learning. Encourages Experimentation: Users appreciate that the kit promotes experimentation and creativity, allowing children to design their own chain reactions beyond the provided instructions. Conclusion LEGO Chain Reactions is a highly engaging and educational kit that combines the fun of building with the learning of basic physics principles. It is ideal for children aged 8 and up, providing an excellent platform for developing problem-solving and critical thinking skills. While the set's limited number of pieces may require supplementation for more elaborate designs, its compatibility with other LEGO sets makes it a versatile addition to any LEGO collection. Overall, it's a valuable tool for both learning and play, fostering creativity and innovation in young minds.

It was ok

Excellent quality and value priced

I bought this to do with my kids (7, 8, & 10) to work on over the holiday break and they loved it! We have spent hours so far building the various structures and then stringing them together. My 4 yr old nephew was so inspired he also built a marble maze out of our own collection and used the chain reactions set-up as the device to launch a marble into his maze. So much creativity was shown and I had a blast too! If you want to build more than one structure at a time and create big chain reactions (which trust me, you WANT to do) you will also need some other common pieces (like a bunch of 2 x 4 bricks), as well as some of your own technics. I had no problem finding or subbing the needed parts with our collection. On the plus side, you rarely need the exact parts listed -- a simple technic pin stuck into any brick with holes in the side will suffice for most structures. But kids will definitely need some help figuring out how to create substitutes. Plan on being on-hand to guide throughout the build if kids are younger. Also the builds call for lots of 2 x 8 bricks which are somewhat rare. You can easily create subs, but again, be on-hand to offer guidance as to how the structures can be revised. If you want to know exactly what sort of parts (and possible subs) you will need before you buy read this: Search Bricklink for parts: 30000, 2458, 3673, 3700, 3941, plus axles and various axle connectors. If you have an assortment of these types of parts, you will be fine. For example, the kit primarily uses part 3000 (a 2 x 2 brick with pins) to make the moving parts. But most of the time you can sub a 1 x 2 brick with pin (2458) or a 1 x 2 brick with a hole (3700) with a pin stuck in it (3673). They also use 3700 a couple times to hold up an axle (like a flag pole). But any round brick will do the trick as well because they have axle holes in them too (3941 or 4032 x 3). Instead of being frustrated that this kit does not come with every part, embrace the challenge! Help your kids think outside the box. It is very rewarding and provides something ready-made kits do not: problem-solving and creativity. That is what Legos are for after all!

Firstly - I bought this for a nephew for Christmas, so it hasn't yet been tested, but after reading some of the negative reviews, I thought I'd look through the book in detail to see exactly what you get (and don't get!). The premise is a good one, and I feel that it teaches some basic engineering ideas (levers, pulleys etc). The book seems well made, on quality paper. The Lego pieces supplied are mainly specialty pieces, to complete the machines. The real issue is the quantity of 'regular' blocks required from your own collection - 167 to be exact. Each machine lists what parts you need from the box, and then just states"plus some from your own collection". Well I took the liberty of listing out what "some" means. The list below is the minimum requirements to build each machine once - not all together, so you will need to disassemble one to build the next. The machines get increasingly larger, and more complicated. You can substitute more smaller pieces for the larger ones if you have them, so the list is not rigid. Bricks: 2x8 24of 2x6 5of 2x4 62of 2x3 2of 2x2 12of 1x6 6of 1x4 1of 1x2 21of 1x1 2of Plates: 2x8 1of 2x6 4of 2x4 7of 2x3 2of 2x2 2of 1x12 2of 1x6 6of 1x4 4of 1x2 2of Specialty pieces: Sloping brick 2x4 1of Tile 1x4 1of In addition - just out of curiosity, I priced up the total of purchasing these bricks through the Lego web store and it came out a little under $48. so your choices are - (a) buy the book, if you know the recipient has an extensive supply of excess Lego (b) buy the book, and the additional Lego you need (c) buy the book and get creative around what you can substitute for the additional required pieces - (book stacks are suggested in place of the towers, but I think would be unstable and difficult to get the components to align sufficiently for the machine to work). I give this 3 stars overall because I new this was a risky purchase, but I think it will still provide some educational value.

I got the LEGO Chain Reactions Kit for my boyfriend’s 11-year-old, and it was an instant hit. He’s already a big LEGO fan, but this took his building skills to a whole new level. The kit shows how to turn regular bricks into moving machines that actually do things, like kick a ball or send a message. The instructions are clear and super engaging, with just the right balance of challenge and fun. It also teaches some cool STEM concepts without feeling like homework. He got really into experimenting with the designs and even started inventing his own. If you’ve got a kid who loves building and figuring out how stuff works, this is a perfect choice. It’s creativity, engineering, and fun all in one box. Highly recommend!

My 11 yo grandson loved this gift and used it with other Lego parts to make his own remote controlled robot. It was a big hit as a gift.