Build Your Own Hawksbill Turtle Review
DISCLOSURE -THIS ITEM WAS GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW. ALL THOUGHTS AND OPINIONS ARE THE REVIEWER’S OWN.
Reviewed by Michelle
If you are looking for something a little different from the usual children’s activities, the Build Your Own Hawksbill Turtle is a fantastic project combining building, creativity, sensory and interactive play, as well as learning. This is a new addition to the collection and, having reviewed a number of products from this company already, I was pleased to discover that this kit is equally as good as the others I have tried.
First Impressions
Firstly, I have to point out how amazed I was when I first reviewed an item from this company and discovered that, like all their kits, this one is also environmentally friendly. The Hawksbill Turtle is made using 100% sustainable cardboard and paper, making it an eco-friendly choice too. I think this is fantastic, particularly when we are increasingly looking at more thoughtful choices for children’s toys and activities.
The colourful turtle and the idea of actually building it before playing with it is a great concept. It encourages children to get involved rather than simply opening a box and picking up a finished toy.
What’s Included
The kit contains 23 pre-cut pieces to create a Hawksbill Turtle, along with a fact stand and information card, adding an educational element to the activity.
The pieces slot together, so there is no need for glue. Once built, the turtle also has an interactive pull-tab feature that allows its flippers to move, giving children something exciting and extra to discover and play with.
Design and Style
The finished turtle is colourful, fun and eye-catching. What I particularly like is that the design encourages interaction. It’s not simply something to build and leave on a shelf. The moving flippers give it a hands-on feel and allow children to bring their creation to life.
Quality and Durability
The use of sustainable cardboard and paper is a real highlight for me. The kit has been designed as a construction activity, with pieces that slot together to create the finished model. It goes without saying that some care is needed when assembling cardboard pieces, but this also encourages children to handle the parts gently and carefully.
Collectability
Having reviewed several products from this company, this new addition fits beautifully into the collection. Children who enjoy building can create their own collection of different animals, with each finished model something they can proudly display on a shelf and continue to play with.
Easy Setup and Imaginative Play
This is where the kit really comes into its own for me. Being an absolute fan of toys and activities that encompass sensory and interactive play, I find this extremely important for a child’s development.
Children can build the turtle, explore how the pieces fit together and then use their imagination to create stories, games and adventures. Let and watch their imagination run wild and with your help and interaction, you may be surprised at just how much they can learn through building and playing.
Perfect Size for Little Hands
Each piece of the kit gives children opportunities to practise picking up, placing and joining different components together, and once completed, the turtle is a lovely size for little hands to handle during play.
Encourages Social Skills
This is a great activity to enjoy together. Adults, friends or siblings can get involved, helping children with the construction and encouraging them to talk about what they are making. Working together can help develop communication, patience, sharing and co-operation.
Developmental Benefits
Cognitive learning is very important in interactive play, and this kit encourages children to count, use their imagination, observe, hand-eye coordination and problem-solving. Children will learn naturally as they build, explore and play.
The company has thought of everything, combining environmental awareness with STEM learning (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics).
Building encourages children to work out how the pieces fit together, while the interactive features introduce movement and cause and effect.
GOOD TO KNOW
Batteries needed: No
Pieces: 23
Approximate build time: 20 minutes
Skill level: 2.5/5
AGE
From 8 years upwards
PRICE AND WHERE TO BUY
At the time of writing my review, I found this to be an amazing price of just £9.99, excluding delivery. You can purchase the Build Your Own Hawksbill Turtle directly from Build Your Own Kits by clicking on the following link; https://buildyourownkits.com/product/hawksbill-turtle/
Rating: 5/5