Educational Insights Circuit Explorer Deluxe Base Station: Science Kit for 1st Grade with Game Pieces

Used for one day and it already broke. The control is making a high pitch buzz sound and won’t record voice now.

We've often looked at the Circuit Explorer series of toys but the Base Station: Mission is the first one we've tried and it definitely didn't disappoint! My children are at the lower end of the suitable age range for this toy and we therefore put the kit together before we let them loose exploring its features. They have used it over and over again but in so many different ways. It's interesting to see how differently my son plays with it compared to my daughter. Endless creativity and they can construct the lights, sounds and wheels in so many different ways. Once they'd been shown how the pieces fit together and understanding the simple circuit symbols they were off; creating 'space houses' and various launching platforms. The wheels and attached motor is a great addition, allowing them to create and play with a space buggy type vehicle.

This is one of the best toys we have ever bought for our 6 year old. It keeps her occupied for HOURS! She loves building things so I knew she would love this set. All the pieces are high quality and durable. I love that she is learning new things like how to build a circuit and she thinks it is the coolest thing ever! I love that this set is helping her to learn STEM skills even in kindergarten! She also loves to imaginative play with the astronaut and robots. This is also a fun way for her to use her creativity skills. I am always trying to find fun and educational toys for her to do and I'm so glad I came across this set. She did need some help with some of the pieces but I love that this set will grow with her and she can use it for many years to come! This is the perfect set especially for her right now as she is doing virtual learning and I've been trying to find ways for her to have fun learning but keeps her away from the computer/TV/iPad. Highly recommend this. It is the perfect birthday, holiday and just because gift!

This set has so many parts that kids can enjoy for a long time. They can be built into so many different things, each with their own feature, from the rotating sign to the voice synthesizer {which my kids LOVED playing with!} Just like the other Circuit Explorer kits, this kit allows your kids to be introduced to the concept of circuits while having fun, so they learn in an immersive way that sticks with them. This big set has motion, lights, and sound that are all triggered by different circuits- which helps kids use trial and error as needed to figure out how the circuit works. This gives opportunity for discussion: ask questions like why do circuits work in specific directions? What do circuits need? What would happen if you changed one of the pieces? This set is a big hit here and has a lot of replayability. This is not a do it once and forget it set, this one gets pulled out for playtime a lot and each time reinforces those concepts while the kids have fun! *I received a discount on this set in order to write this review. All opinions are my own.*

My son likes to build things. He enjoyed trying the different ways to put the pieces together and still make a circuit. 2 things to note, in this set, both roves don't roll. Only one has the full set up circuits, but you can swap pieces around and create different vehicles anyway. All 4 of my kids liked the voice synthesizer. That has provided hours of fun on it's own. The little people that come with it are cute and add to the imaginative play. Don't forget batteries & the tiny screwdriver you need to open battery compartments.

This was a gift for my 7 year old. It was marketed as simple circuit, big imagination. That is so accurate. He has had no trouble figuring out the simple circuits looking at the manual. Once he has it together, it has kept him busy for hours playing. Now to get him the rocket and rover to add to his station for building and playing even more! I think some children will require a little assistance, but I love that it isn't too hard for them to at least attempt to do some of the smaller circuits on their own.

This is one of thr best toy purchases we have made this year! We love all of the circuit explorer sets, but if you only get one, get this one. You get the base camp parts plus the rovers, and your kids will LOVE to mix and match the lives to create different set ups. My 5 year old son has a huge imagination and this toy fits perfectly with him. He can drive on the moon and explore outer space or explore the mountains or tons of different options when you get this toy and just let them play! It has held up well to being rolled down the stairs and played with for hours by our wild kiddo. It has just enough lights to be fun but not overwhelming, and of course you get the educational piece, too. A great Christmas gift idea!

We love this set! It's probably the most fun we can think of as far as introducing circuitry to kids is concerned. It wasn't overly complicated and it's actually fun for parents to build with children, although older kids can likely do it themselves. The final product is impressive for children and it's a set that can be played with often after the building is complete. The voice synthesizer is especially fun and the lights impressed the kids. It'll certainly keep kids busy for awhile! Makes a great gift idea for school-age kids. You'll need to purchase batteries separately.

The base station set is so much fun to build! Our 6 year old son was able to build the individual parts on his own by looking at the manual. The pieces are easy to put together and the symbols that are on the separate parts allow kids to see how they can match up with each other. The bottom pieces for the command center required some help from parents but we worked together and used our problem-solving skills. Our kids loved making each part (rover, tower, command center) and pressing the power button to see how each part works to move, light up, and turn! Even our 3 year old son was so excited to see how all the pieces join together and they all loved playing with the sound box, especially hearing their own voices come out as robots. Not only does this circuit explorer base station set allow for kids to explore their creativity and curiosity (building skills), but it also provides so much excitement and fun at the same time!