Hours of spiralling fun!! (Hasbro Spirograph)

Member Name: tobymummy

Product:	Hasbro Spirograph
Date:	10/02/08 (666 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: solid, lots of fun, magnets hold frame and paper well.

Disadvantages: really annoying if cog slips.

I have always said I was deprived as a child - when talking with my husband or friends. I never had the best or 'in toys' when I was young, often getting the cheap alternative or going without.

The Spirograph was no exception, I was only able to play with it at a friend's house, but that was rare, as you visited friends to play and interact. The Spirograph being a creative toy didn't seem to encourage that and we therefore had to play outside or with cars or dolls etc.

I became very excited when I went back to work after Christmas and found the girl I look after, had received a Spirograph set. - A perfect opportunity for me to have a go!!!

The Spirograph
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~ The Box

Measuring 29cm (11.5in) x 38cm (15in) x 6cms (2.25in), As you can see from the photo above, the box has lots going on; colours, pictures, and writing. The title is not very large, so doesn't really jump out at you. The contents do vary, and the box I have contains different shaped frames from those above.

Spirograph is bought to us by MB Creation (Hasbro) and is suitable for children 6 years +

~ Contents

The first part you pull from the box it a solid magnetic board, it's edge it a smooth wavy design, similar to that on the cogs. First impressions then make you think that there is nothing else in the box, if you turn the board over you find everything else you will need. (Well almost!)

There are 3 different shaped frames; hexagon, square and triangle. The square frame has a circular edge on the inside; therefore giving you 4 shapes to work with. These each have three holes at regular intervals around the edge, these are so you can fix them to the magnetic board with some pegs, which of course are magnetic too!!

There are 7 circular cogs of various sizes which you then use with the frames, to create the spiral patterns. These cogs each have a different number on them, (which is part of the cog, part of the mould when being made.) they don't run consecutively from 1-7, they are 15, 19, 24, 25, 28, 31 and 34, which to me seem a strange selection, but on closer inspection I realised that the number represents how many teeth are around the outside of each cog.
Each cog also has several holes in the centre in a spiral formation, allowing you to place the nib of your pen, if you didn't have these then the Spirograph wouldn't work.

Instructions
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~ Place a sheet of paper onto the magnetic table.
~ Place a frame on the sheet of paper, with the teeth facing down.
~ Put magnets into the holes on the frame to hold it in place.
~ Place your cog in or around the frame. Make sure the teeth lock together.
~ Choose a pen. Put the nib into one of the holes in the cog, hold it upright and get Spirographing! Always make sure the teeth are locked together as you move the pen around
~ Keep going until your Spirograph pattern is complete.

The instruction leaflet gives you some great designs which you can follow: it gives you all the info you need, even what size cog, which hole etc.

My thoughts
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I had great fun creating spiral pictures. There are so many different options; you will create a different pattern every time. If you use a variety of colours too, you'll never be able to stop.

I found that using different sizes and colours on top of each other can create some great effects, which could be used to decorate cards, especially making a picture of flowers. The spiral effect can create some nice shapes which look jut like petals on a flower.

To start with you need to take it slow, as it is quite easy for the cog to slip from the teeth, and it's then very difficult to get it back into the exact position you want it in. I spent lots of time playing with the Spirograph but probably spent at least half of that time making mistakes, which can be really annoying.

At one point I found myself concentrating so much I didn't notice my phone ringing. Oh dear!! I did get rather excited though when I had completed a full spiral without making any mistakes, when you look closely at what you have created you realise that this is not something you would be able to draw on your own. You need the Spirograph kit to help you.

The magnets hold the frame and paper in place very well, so there is no worry about the picture moving. I would say though, that the board is only big enough for an A4 piece of paper. If you want to create a larger picture you would need to keep moving the paper around, and be careful not to push down on the outside of the paper with your arms whilst spiralling!!

It is recommended for children 6+ and I feel this is the case, as you do need to concentrate on what you are doing, and the movement you need to follow to guide the cogs around does take some practise. I'm not saying children of 4 or 5 shouldn't try it, but they may not be able to get to grips with it as easy older children. It is definitely not suitable for children under 3 due to small parts.
Pen and paper is not included, so ensure you have these to hand when you use it.

There really are endless spirals and pictures you can create, so why don't you give it a go!

Other details
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If you have any problems with your Spirograph, or you want more info, you can contact Hasbro:
www.hasbro.co.uk

Hasbro UK Ltd
Caswell Way
Newport
Gwent
NP19 4YH

Thank you for reading

Nicola xx 10/2/08

Summary: No graphs around, just lots and lots of colourful spirals!!