ARCKIT: Architecture Design Toy for Kids
ARCKIT is a freeform model-making system that does not require glue, yet it lets you design, build and modify these really cool modern houses. They simply snap together!
This would be a wonderful building toy for a budding architect or just any kid who likes to build in 3 dimensions. There are finish details that you can choose such as wood flooring, terracotta tiles, stone walls, and shingle aluminum to create your own vision.
My Son and Friends Build an ARCKIT
I asked my newly 11-year-old son if he wanted to build an ARCKIT and we looked at the designs together. His answer was a resounding, “YES! They are cool!” ARCKIT is recommended for kids ages 12 and up but younger kids with good fine motor and patience would enjoy this building kit too.
He invited his friends — 10-year-old twin boys — to try it out with him and without any supervision, proceeded to build without using the instructions. The pieces push into each other, rather than snap, but they are similar to other building toys that the boys use frequently.
Before long, they had constructed the skeleton of the house. At that point, their playdate shifted to a sports practice and these pieces were hurriedly cleaned up and put away. My son said that it was hard to build without the directions. That makes sense; it’s hard to construct a house without a blueprint too!
The next day, my son decided to try again using the instructions. He tends to play with building toys by first following the instructions to the letter and then disassembling and going free form after that. I think that’s a good way to go with ARCKIT.
The instructions are easy to follow but sometimes the pieces were challenging to slip into place. You need excellent fine motor skills to assemble these kits.
It took him about fifteen minutes to assemble the first floor of his house. He then opted for a break … construction is tiring!
The next morning, I cleaned up the mess and disassembled his house assuming that he was done. He came home from school and was not happy because, apparently, he intended to complete the house. So, without using the instructions again, he re-designed his house, free-form. He showed me his design and told me he would build me a house if I liked it. I did and I would!
The ARCKIT is a great STEM open-ended building kit for kids. It also combines the A in STEAM which is creativity through art. Because pieces in all the kits are interchangeable, your child can actually design, build and create structures that they dream up. It’s a great three-dimensional way of expressing your vision!
Those with access to a 3D printer can use SketchUp 3D modeling software to design and print their creations into reality.
I would recommend it for ages 10 and up but those kids with great fine motor and patience will like it too. It is helpful to have an adult around for the first time, just to help guide the assembly. I would encourage my child to follow the instructions the first time through and to build the project in stages.
It’s a must-have design toy for any child who actively expresses an interest in architecture. Building these scale models is the closest thing to what you will do in architecture school!
Buy an ARCKIT: The Options
You can start with a smaller kit and add on. The pieces of every kit are interchangeable. The different kits include:
ARCKIT GO, $69.99
ARCKIT 60, $129
ARCKIT 120, $249
ARCKIT 240, $399
The Power of Architecture: 25 Modern Buildings from around the World by Annette Roeder, illustrated by Pamela Baron
This is a really fun book for anyone who likes to look at cool buildings. But, nestled inside spread after spread of famous modern buildings, is both a who’s who of architects combined with the history of modern architecture. There is a timeline in the backmatter that really reinforces this overview of architects and their seminal work. Any kids who like ARCKits should have this book for a deeper dive into architecture. And, I’m guessing, that this combination may very well launch future architects to take their place alongside those in the book. The illustrations capture the essence of each building, in a more powerful way than a photograph. [nonfiction picture book, ages 8 and up]
To examine any book more closely at Amazon, please click on image of book.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
This is a sponsored post. I received one ARCKIT and a stipend to review this product. My opinions, as always, are my own.
My books:
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World
- Junior Library Guild Gold selection
- Massachusetts Book Award Long List
- Selected as one of 100 Outstanding Picture Books of 2023 by dPICTUS and featured at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair
- Starred review from School Library Journal
- Chicago Library’s Best of the Best
- 2023 INDIES Book of the Year Awards Finalist
- Green Earth Book Award Long List
- Imagination Soup’s 35 Best Nonfiction Books of 2023 for Kids
Amazon / Barefoot Books / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Amazon / Scholastic / Signed or Inscribed by Me
I cannot tell you how much I love this! I wish my mother were alive to see it – I would have had to buy one for her!
Hi Dee,
It’s a pretty amazing building set, I have to say. Adults would love it as much as kids. I think the kids who like Legos would like it too.
As a mother, grandmother, kids center (ages 3-15) owner I have to say, I love this product! I hope Santa brings it to at least one of my grand children and I hope they invite me over to design with them!
Hi Sharon,
It is a fun way to design your dream house!
My nine-year-old has actually been eyeing these kits! Any chance they are looking for more blog reviews?
Hi MaryAnne,
I’m sure they are. I’ll email you the person.
Love it! It is like a step way up from legos! My youngest loves legos, plays with them every day after school. She is 7, I can not wait to get this for her when she turns 10. Thank you for sharing Mia.
Hi Elena,
I think kids who like LEGOS would also like ARCKIT, ages 10 and up. I hope your daughter likes it too when she gets a little older. And do let me know if she becomes an architect or a structural engineer! 🙂
WOW! This looks really cool! I want to try it out now! 🙂
Hi Erik,
It’s fun and I bet you and your sister would both like it! It’s open ended so both of you could build at the same time with one kit and if you get multiple kits, they are all interchangeable (like LEGOS).