If you’re looking for a seriously wow-worthy gift for kids that love to build, I’ve got the perfect recommendation for you…Tubelox. Use the code littlejoys for $100 off any set!
Disclosure: We received the Deluxe Building Set from Tubelox in order to share our opinion about their product. All opinions (and goofy smiles from my children) are 100% our own.
When I was a kid in the 80s, my friend had an amazing toy. It was a giant building set that made it possible to build large-scale creations like cars you can actually ride in, forts you can climb inside, and wagons to pull stuffed animals around.
It was pretty much the coolest toy ever, but I hadn’t seen anything like it in decades…until a few weeks ago.
My jaw literally dropped when I stumbled upon a picture online of a product called Tubelox…it was a different company than my 80s version, but it was essentially the same toy! I immediately knew my three wild, creative, and inventive boys would go CRAZY for this.
Even so, I underestimated just how obsessed they would be with Tubelox. Thanks to the company’s generosity when I reached out to them, I surprised my boys after school last week with a set, and–as expected–they have been playing with them for hours every day since!
All week long, I’ve been hearing things like “Tubelox are the best toy ever,” and “Mom, I can’t believe we have these. They’re SOO cool,” and of course endless rounds of “Mom, look what I built! Come see!”
You need to know that I am super picky about the companies I partner with…in fact, it’s been years since I have done a sponsored post. But I really, really love this product, and I can’t keep it to myself.
So, if you’re still on the hunt for a big-ticket item that will inspire hours and hours of creative play and learning, let me introduce you to my new favorite STEM toy for kids…
What is Tubelox?
Tubelox is a building set that invites kids to use a combination of pipes and connectors to construct large-scale creations like cars, forts, wagons, tables, etc. It also comes with wheels and big orange panels that make it possible to build some pretty amazing things, like a giant trike that kids can actually steer (see below)…which my boys thought was pretty amazing.
Each set also comes with an instruction book full of ideas. The instructions are pretty basic, but my kids have been able to figure out how to build each of the example builds from the pictures provided. They’ve also invented their own creations, like a double decker couch inspired by the Lego movie and a catapult!
Why we love Tubelox:
They inspire creativity and imagination. Most (maybe even ALL) of the best toys ever invented are open-ended toys–ones that can be used in a variety of ways and that encourage kids to use their imaginations, engage in critical thinking, and develop problem-solving skills. Tubelox are everything you love about these types of creative building toys…but on a bigger scale!
They get kids moving. Kids need to move! Especially with as many hours as they spend sitting at desks in school, I want my boys to have opportunities to develop their gross motor skills at home. Because Tubelox are so big, my boys are constantly climbing, jumping, riding, and moving their bodies as they build and play with their creations.
They are super sturdy. This is not some cheapy plastic set where the pieces are going to snap in half the first time someone steps on a piece. No sirree. Believe me. My boys have put this set through the wringer. They have built towers and jumped off them, smacked pieces together, hammered, twisted, slammed, yanked…you name it. This set has handled everything my three rough-and-tumble boys could devise.
Safety note: The set comes with a bunch of clips you can use to hold the pieces together securely, so you don’t have to worry about pieces coming apart when your kids are climbing on their builds. (See them in the picture below.)
What ages is Tubelox good for?
The company recommends them for kids ages 5-12, and I agree. All three of my kids (5, 8, & 10) love building with them, and I love that it’s a toy that appeals to a wide age-range.
That being said, they do take a little bit of strength to push the pieces together, so younger kids may struggle to use them on their own. My two older boys (8 & 10) can build completely independently, but my 5-year-old sometimes needs help. Not a big deal, because the older boys are happy to do the heavy work while the youngest hands them the pieces. Just know that if you are buying for younger kiddos, they may need a building partner.
Considerations before buying:
Clearly, I really love this product. However, there are a couple of things to consider before you choose to bring them home:
- Storage space. Tubelox are BIG. That’s part of what makes them so fun, but it also means you have to find a place to keep them. We got the deluxe tote bag to store our set when it’s not in use. It holds everything easily without having to worry about putting pieces away in a particular order, which is nice (you could also store them in a a large plastic tote). That being said, even with a convenient bag, the set is bulky and heavy. Just realize that you’ll need to clear a good sized space in a closet or playroom. We have plenty of room in our basement play area, so it’s not an issue for us, but if you have limited storage, it’s something to plan ahead for.
- Age appropriateness. As discussed above, this toy is geared toward kids ages 5-12. Toddlers would probably love to play with the creations, but they would likely struggle to build on their own, so you might be better off waiting a year or two. On the other hand, if you have elementary aged kids, Tubelox will be perfect for them.
Okay…so what’s the cost?
Let’s get to the bottom line…cost. Admittedly, Tubelox is an investment. The regular price of the Deluxe set (which I recommend) is $350. Not something you pick up at Target on a whim. However, I really believe it’s worth the cost. It’s a huge, super sturdy, open-ended building set that will last for MANY years to come. It isn’t going to be a stocking stuffer, but if you have the budget and are looking for a gift with serious wow factor, this is a winner. It would make a great grand finale Christmas gift for the whole family.
And…since I’m always one to seek out the best deal (who wants to pay full price?), I’ve got a pretty awesome discount for you.
If you’re interested in getting Tubelox for your own kiddos, you can get $100 off any set with the code “littlejoys100” until Dec. 15, 2020. That brings the price down to $250 for 220 pieces!
Plus get free shipping until the end of November (which is awesome for such a big, heavy item) as part of their Black Friday deal.
Any other questions about Tubelox? Drop them in the comments below. I’m happy to answer!
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