How to build a train in ten steps. (Born To Play Dan Jam Thomas The Tank Magnetic Stacking Thomas)

Member Name: wisemind

Product:	Born To Play Dan Jam Thomas The Tank Magnetic Stacking Thomas
Date:	13/07/09 (123 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Multi uses

Disadvantages: quite complicated and needs parent help to build

My son as a youngster was a huge Thomas the tank Engine fan so much so that he has a Thomas bedroom. However he is no longer interested in the TV program but still loves characters he is familiar with and still happily plays with Thomas toys.

I bought him the magnetic stacking Thomas from Woolworth's when it was on offer but is still available at Amazon for £11.90 with free postage.

The toy itself made up of ten wooden pieces that all magnetically connect together. It is painted in the Traditional Thomas colours. It has been living in our toy box for over a year and has no signs of damage. The wheels do revolve so once built can be played with as a moving vehicle.

My experience.

I gave this my son for his first birthday but as we were in temporary accommodation this was one if his presents that were unwrapped but stored boxed up for three months till we moved to our new home.

Once opened he was able to take it apart happily but had no idea how to build it so it has stayed in the toy box in pieces until about a month ago although he would find pieces and instantly know it was Thomas.

Now my son is two and three months old, he has much more understanding of how to build constructively. He does need help to build the train but does have an understanding of where each part goes.

My Friends Three year old daughter was playing with this toy yesterday but seemed to have no idea how to put the parts together so also needed a lot of couching to get the pieces the right way round and in the right position.

As a fully constructed toy it obviously isn't very sturdy but hold together sufficiently to play with. It is a toy that my son has to hold in hand to roll around the floor and not the type of toy you can roll to each other although this is my experience on carpet however it may work better on hard flooring.


The toys is recommended for over 18 months old and over I would think that there is not much point giving this to a child who is under two as I don't think they have the cognitive ability to build it unless you have a child genius.

I do think that as it helps develop both the cognitive ability to build and helps with fine motor skills it is a toy well worth buying but not till they are at least two and would shop around for offers.

Summary: a educational fun toy