Build Your Own are back with another eco-friendly, STEM-inspired construction toy. The award-winning creators have launched a number of their products on Not on the High Street with a personalisation option.
If you’re looking for something a bit different for Christmas this year and struggling to conjure ideas for the kid that has everything, look no further than Build Your Own.
Their innovative kits encourage children to immerse themselves in the fun world of science through exploration and play which in turn helps reduce screen-time and allows children and grown-ups alike to make memories together.
We’ve been a fan of BYO since we were lucky enough to try out the Build Your Own Telescope and Microscope so we were thrilled to receive a personalised Plane Thrower to try out.
When we received the kit my son Sebastian was super excited to see his name on top of the box and was even more excited when he saw his name on flat-pack cardboard panels as we laid out the pieces ready to build. I have to admit I was wondering how they’d manage to personalise these products but it’s been done very cleverly. The child’s name has been printed on stickers that blend in nicely with the toy’s design which turns it into a great unique gift and this design features across their range of products.
Having trailed a number of kits now, Seb, aged 7, is pretty well versed in the construction but this was the trickiest kit we’d come across thus far. Making sure the elastic bands didn’t slip off before slotting it all in place became a 3 person job at one point though on the whole Seb was able to follow the instructions fairly easily. I can’t say the same for me, however, as it took me until stage 5 to realise there was an extra guide included to identify each piece. Up to this point we were just guessing as to which piece looked the same as that on the guide. I thought this was perhaps a design error at first as in the past each piece has been numbered on the cardboard making them clearly identifiable. This problem was rectified by including an extra guide on a slip of paper though, as experienced by me, it’s quite easy to miss.
The recommended age for the kit is 8+ but with lots of help, slightly younger children would also be able to help to construct and enjoy it.
One of my personal favourite things about these kits is the easy slot and click construction which results in a solid robust toy despite the fact they’re made from paper and cardboard. And as ever, the fact no glue is required is just a huge bonus.
Each premium paper and board kit has been designed in the UK by a team of brilliant engineers using high-quality sustainable materials with minimal plastics so you’re getting a quality toy from a responsible company that encourages children to explore and spark an interest in science. From a parent’s perspective, that’s pretty darn important and anything STEM-inspired will always get my vote.
What we liked
The amount of paper plane designs to try out. There are 10 different fold ’n’ fly planes to experiment with and four cool scoring targets.
What we didn’t
The extra guide to identify each part could do with being obvious. It seems to be an afterthought to rectify a design oversight. This doesn’t take away from the fact it’s a very enjoyable toy though.
Overall
This is the perfect gift for any plane enthusiast or budding engineer. A great alternative to the usual obscene amounts of plastic kids end up with and one the whole family can enjoy.
How much is it and where can I buy one?
The Build Your Own Plane Launcher is priced at £18.99 and can be purchased here.
About Build Your Own
Build Your Own, part of Paper Engine Ltd in Hampshire, are awesome creators of a range of exciting cardboard flatpack toys made from sustainable cardboard and paper which have been designed to be as eco as possible.
They came up with the idea of designing toys that kids would enjoy building and which captured their active imaginations in a fun, engaging way.
The team were concerned about how the majority of plastic toys would eventually end up in a landfill, so decided that cardboard was definitely the best way forward. Whilst they haven’t eliminated plastic entirely, cardboard and paper are always the main components.
Review by: Libby Wilkinson
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* We were sent the plane launcher kit for free in return for a review. All opinions are our own.
20 comments
What an awesome gift idea! My youngest would love something like this. She’s always making paper airplanes.
How wonderful to hear that Heather, thanks for sharing
This is so awesome! I love doing DIYs with my kids, it is so much fun and creative. Thanks for the great idea.
Super creative and it is a STEM themed toy as well
Even if I’m not a child anymore, I still would like to own one of these for myself haha!
Agree, something to do to pass the time
This looks like a really fun craft and a great learning experience! I remember doing similar crafts when I was younger with my brother and we loved building legos too. It creates lots of great memories too 🙂
Absolutely, great family themed activity to do together
This is one great gift! Building your own toy must be a real joy.
Yes absolutely, it is a great gift idea
Whoa this is really cool. I didn’t know that they made these. Definitely looks like it was a fun time for everyone!
Absolutely, we had such fun assembling it
This is such a cool activity! You get to have fun assembling the kit and then even more fun trying it out. I can’t wait until my daughter is old enough for things like this.
These STEM based toys are so much more fun for children
Nice! This brought back my memories when I was young and very fond of these types of toys.
Great to hear that Dan
I’d like the different airplane designs to make as well. This would be right up my son’s alley.
How wonderful Rosey! It is a fab item
This is super cool and the kind of thing my eldest loves – he loves to build and make so this is perfect, good idea for Christmas
Laura x
Great idea as a Christmas present for sure