Recycle through play (Lego 7991 City: Recycle Truck)

Member Name: Emmamac1

Product:	Lego 7991 City: Recycle Truck
Date:	28/08/09 (91 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Imaginative play

Disadvantages: Can break

The Lego recycle or garbage truck (number 7991), is part of the huge 'City' collection. It can be a part of a collection or just used as an individual toy. My son is an avid Lego City collector and, much to his delight, received this one recently.

I should not really have to explain what Lego is, but if one is completely clueless, Lego is mainly a children's toy, which comprises of colourful interlocking plastic bricks, of different sizes. There are also mini figures, tools, animals and various other pieces associated with the different Lego themes. Lego is almost 60 years old and is still growing from strength to strength with a 31% rise in 2008 pre tax profit (Reuters Mon Feb 23 2009).

The recycle truck, or rubbish truck to us oldies, is recommended for 5 - 12 year olds. It costs £12.99 from Amazon. Lego can be hazardous to pre school children as it has a choking risk with so many small parts.

Once the box has been opened, by excited little hands, there are two plastic sealed bags, both labeled, one with the number 1 and the other with the number 2. With this set there are 206 pieces. Also inside are the instructions, very important, as Lego is getting quite complex.

The instructions are much clearer nowadays than a few years ago. All the Lego pieces use to be in one bag, and it would simply take ages to find the required piece. After a while I get 'Lego blindness', and even if I am looking at the piece I can't see it! Now Lego divide the pieces up, so you only open the bag up as you need it. With the Lego recycle truck you make the front of the cab and base first from bag one, then the back of the lorry from bag two. Much easier. Also the instructions tell you to put the lego pieces on a flat surface (not carpet), and not to mix the bags.

The building of this set was fairly straight forward, and my seven year old did it independently. It does involve some small fiddly building, like the front grill and lights. Adult help may be required especially when placing the recycling stickers on the various bricks, and most certainly with younger children.

Included in the set is one busy recycling worker (with a smiley face), a dustbin, a dolly cart and a broom.

Once completed the orange recycle truck looks smashing. It has a mechanism at the rear to lift the rubbish compactor forward. The tailgate can be lifted up as it has hinges. A small movable arm at the back of the truck can lift the dustbin and then tip the rubbish into the back of the lorry. There are clips on the side to hold the broom and on top to hold the dolly cart.

The recycle truck is environmentally friendly (makes children aware of recycling through imaginative play), and quite realistic. My son plays for hours with his city Lego collection, enjoying the different roles each piece has. With the recycle truck, little hands do need to be careful as it can come apart, but it is easy to fix.

Lego is a fantastic toy in general. It enhances the use of fine motor skills and gives hours of fun. I would recommend the recycle truck to any little builder from 5 years and up. It is quite complex, but once formed can be driven and used. Buying specific sets can be quite expensive, as you can only make one model. Some people prefer Lego Creator as you can build a number of different models for a similar price.

Would I recommend the recycle truck? Yes I would. Especially as I have a son who is a very keen collector.

Summary: Another fab toy from Lego