Trio Blocks: Airplane Building Set

I bought these blocks for my son for Christmas a couple years ago on one of our visits to the United States.  We were living in Madrid at the time and since toys are so much cheaper in the states, I would always try to stock up while visiting.  So like any good American expat, I made the obligatory trip to Target and started emptying their shelves.

The Look

These construction pieces are bright and sturdy. The box is also durable and easy to open and close multiple times without tearing or coming open again once its shut.  I really like how the box displays the types of and number of pieces that are in the set. That way, when you are putting the toy away, you can easily check to make sure you have them all.  I am in disbelief that two years later, we still have all the pieces.

How to Play

The set comes with three different design models.  One of the models is a bit difficult to replicate without adult help just because of the angle of the drawing on the paper.  The other two are pretty clear.  A unique feature  of this toy is that the pieces are not all single pieces.  I didn’t even realize this when I bought the it but later came to appreciate the concept.  It just makes it easier to copy the models therefore ensuring more successful play time.  It’s a good precursor to making more complex models.

Modifications and Skills

Motor Skills: The handling and snapping of the pieces is great fine motor practice.  The block pieces are not difficult to snap together though a child with limited muscle control may need assistance.  Unfortunately however, the green pieces that serve as braces are difficult to snap in and secure.  Even I accidentally broke apart the airplane more than once while trying to jam the piece inside one of the blocks.   I would just count on the adult taking charge of the green pieces from the beginning.

Pre-Math: Because the pieces are of varying lengths, it is an easy opportunity to work on the concept of size. As you are building, you can ask the child to give you the longer of two pieces or the longest of more than two.  This can be done frequently in a very casual manner (don’t make it seem like a test) throughout the period of play time.  As mentioned earlier, the side panel of the box has a picture of the pieces with the number of their corresponding quantity. Either at the beginning or at the end of playing, use the excuse of making sure you have all the pieces and have the child sort them by color.  The child can then count the number of pieces in each group and match the verbally counted number to the visual numeral on the box.  Work on quantities by requesting to the child he/she help you clean up by putting a certain number of pieces back in the box.  You can tell or ask the child how many pieces you should put away and model how you are doing that.  

Imagination: Of course, after building, comes the playing with whatever the child has built.  Make sure that little one is zooming his/her airplane around the room. I find that making exaggerated, funny noises usually helps me get a reluctant child to enjoy this activity.  

This toy is a great little investment.  It’s the size of a small shoe box and is quite economical.  You can buy other TRIO sets to add on to this one for more building options.  Try not to limit the child to just copying the models but also creating his/her original designs.

Rating

Overall Rating: 9

Fun value: 8

Educational value: 7

Durability: 10

Cost: 10