KEVA Contraptions

Keva Contraptions from Mindware.com has hit the family coffee table and demonstrated the flexibility of simplicity. The set includes an instruction manual with glossy photographs of inspiring structures, two ping pong balls and countless pine KEVA blocks (3/8" x 1"x 5"). Lacking add-ons, irreplaceable items, and contained in a fairly sturdy cardboard box, it withstands the test of time even for our organizationally challenged household.

The box recommends ages 7+, but our 4 year old niece had no problem building a ramp and rolling balls down her structure. She only used simpler building techniques. Engaging kids from age 4 to 18 throughout much of Christmas Day, this toy also met our requirements for diverse appeal among children and adults. Our 15 year old daughter resisted, but she has never been drawn to building things other than mud pies or dresses. Our engineering school bound 18 year old immediately saw potentials and made additions to constructions in progress. Even parents are drawn into the play, tempted to go beyond the illustrations into the realm of Rube Goldberg machines. 

More fun than a large set of dominos, the KEVA blocks make it easier to build ramps, channels and tracks to roll the balls through, and the colored balls make races possible, but not necessary. KEVA Contraptions has the element of impermanence that allows structures to collapse like a Jenga column, and then to be reborn as something completely different.

On our 5 cardboard box scale, this game earns...
Engagement: 5 cardboard boxes
Creativity: 5 cardboard boxes
Durability: 5 cardboard boxes
Serviceability:  5 cardboard boxes
Kid rating: 5 cardboard boxes