Can you believe that Tinkertoys is turning 100 this year?! To celebrate this great milestone, I am doing a Tinkertoy Giveaway of a special 100 piece essential set before it hits the stores next month. K’NEX is also launching Tinkertoy’s very own Facebook page!
If you played with Tinkertoys as a child, you’ll notice that it has morphed from wood to plastic.
My son, a rising 2nd grader, saw the box and balked at first at playing with the toy. He saw the little girl on the box and the ages 3+ and thought it was for babies.
“Ok,” I told him. “I’ll just give it away then.” Now, he was suddenly intrigued. An hour later, he had constructed a complicated weapon of sorts with the set. The pieces were all over the living room.
What’s great about Tinker Toys of any iteration is that they are truly building toys for any age and tools for the imagination. And you’d think 100 pieces would be plenty but I have to say that he felt like he needed more. A lot more!
To win this set of Tinker Toys, please enter the Rafflecopter:
This is not a sponsored post. I received the 100 Piece Tinker Toy set to review and am thrilled to be giving away the same set to one of my readers.
We reviewed imitation Tinker Toys a few years back, and they were fine but didn’t quite measure up to the real thing. So eventually I gave them away – and my 5yo is still broken-hearted! I guess I need to get him some REAL Tinker Toys!
Legos, blocks, and really any other construction toys are a hit at our house!
Hi MaryAnne,
I wonder what kids would think of the old wooden ones versus the new plastic ones? It’s hard me to think of Tinkertoys as colorful plastic but it seems to have the same qualities as the old version. Legos are popular for us and K’NEX kits are very, very popular and keeping my son off screens.
Oh these are fantastic! I can see where it would keep damian and natasha busy for hours. Thanks for hosting. I didn’t know a colorful version existed. I always remembered it as being wood. definitely entered.
Hi Vanita,
I remember the wooden ones too. In fact, I can’t picture them any other way. The colorful plastic ones are fun too though. Just different. Thanks for entering!
My grandchildren are not quite at the tinker toy stage yet, but you can bet that I will be buying them as gifts. Right now they are still at the block and large lego stage
Hi Barbara,
They recommend Tinkertoys for age 3 and up … so it sounds like it’s around the corner for you! Blocks and large legos are wonderful too and my kids never seemed to tire of them.
My daughter loves blocks and lego.
Hi Christina,
Thanks for entering. Blocks and legos are wonderfully versatile too just like Tinkertoys!
Oh my gosh, I hadn’t heard of tinker toys in a million and 2 years.
Haha!
Nice to see them making come back.
My kids build with legos. They also build the wooden trains sets.
Hi Lisa,
I didn’t realize that Tinkertoys were 100 years old; it seemed like just a few decades ago when I played with my small set! I’m glad their are reincarnating into colorful plastic and that kids still love them!
We like wooden trains and legos too! I’m saving my son’s old wooden train set for grandkids! Can’t part with it!
My very first thought was: Oh, Dylan’s too old for this. Then I realized how silly a statement that was. His psychiatrist has them in her office and he makes a beeline for them every single time and remains playing with them while answering her questions. He would love it!
Hi Dee,
My son thought he was too old too from the package design but he had a blast playing with it. They probably need to have different age kids playing with them together as a group to properly display the toy’s versatility and appeal.
Tinkertoys were IT for me as a child. Tinkertoys, the games of Uncle Wiggly and checkers, and my “newborn baby doll” were the toys provided by Mom and Dad!
My own children spent hours playing with tinkertoys. My grandchildren are now ready to carry on the tradition, and I can’t wait to surprise them with a set.
Meanwhile, I didn’t realize that plastic has replaced the iconic wooden set.
Hi Lorraine,
I wonder if Tinkertoys still come in classic wood? If not, I might buy some on eBay. You are right about the wooden set being iconic! I feel the same way!
I love building and creating toys. We have Widgets, bristle blocks, duplos, and Legos. It would be wonderful to add some Tinker Toys.
Hi Justine,
Thanks for entering. I agree that you need Tinkertoys to complete your wonderful collection of building toys! What fun your kids must have!
I am ALL OVER this giveaway! My kids LOVE Tinkertoys although they also like just these plain foam blocks we have as well. And, Legos of course! Thanks for this giveaway.
Hi Renee,
Thanks for entering! Do your kids have the plastic Tinkertoys? Many of us only remember the wooden ones LOL! I guess we missed the transition to plastic!
Actually, they have the wooden ones. I bought them about 7 years ago at a Toys R Us in the States (NC, I think). Love them!
Hi Renee,
Oh good! Glad to know that the wooden Tinkertoys are still around! I’ll have to look for a set for my kids. Fond memories of the wooden ones!
Kids and grown up kids love to build, don’t they. When my older brothers come over I am not sure who is having more fun with the Lego…them, or my two boys! Not only has Tinkertoys morphed into plastic but so has Mechano…remember that activity set?
Hi Erin,
I think being parents gives us license to play again with toys and read children’s books but in the same way, playing with younger kids gives older kids a chance to play with “baby” toys. And they have so much fun it’s too bad they need a “cover.” My kids are the same way!
My kids love building with legos.
Hi Valerie,
Legos are such a classic building toy! I think they were once wooden too!
My boys love Legos. They’ve never built with Tinkertoys, but I have a feeling they would love them!
Hi Amy,
I bet you are right! Legos and Tinkertoys are both iconic building toys. I think every generation of children should experience both!
My nephews like plain old wooden blocks!
Hi Larissa,
Love old, plain wooden blocks! They can be anything! Such a wonderful classic building toy! Thanks for entering!
My girls are into the pink Legos.
Hi Asian Mommy,
Thanks for entering! Pink legos sound perfect for little girls!
Pick me! Pick me! I love Tinkertoys and my boys don’t have any yet. They are such a great, classic toy.
Oh, and they are currently loving their Twig blocks!
Hi Erica,
I don’t think we ever played with Twig Blocks. Very cool! Will add to my block toy list! Thank you!
Hi Erica,
Tinkertoys are great and I hope Rafflecopter picks you!
My daughter loves her plain old blocks!
Hi Jenna,
Love plain old blocks! Such a wonderful classic toy that can be anything!
This story was submitted as part of the 100 Toys Project at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis. Vote for your favorite and share a toy memory through Aug. 17, 2012.
Thanks Silver Price. I did not know about the 100 Toys Project. I think it’s too late though to enter!