Build Your Own Microscope Review
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 Jo Tebbs
The Build Your Own (BYO) Microscope is a really novel way for children to delve deep investigating the big wide world around us and discover things by viewing them extremely close up! Whether they choose to look at the structure of leaves, or find a little bug in the garden, this is an exciting and unique way to explore and study!
Science and technology are certainly key topics at school for our children and any toy that helps to educate whilst providing fun and interest for our kids at the same time, is welcomed by me! There is a vast array of potential learning concepts with this microscope including key skills, like initially following instructions when building the microscope kit itself.
When I visited the Build Your Own website (www.buildyourownkits.com) it was clear to see that the company make various eco-friendly toys including build your own telescope, marble run and plane launcher. There are other various fun facts and ideas readily available on the website to help keep our children busy and entertained. They even offer free templates which you can download for Easter cards as well as other activities! All of their products can be purchased directly on the website itself, or via Amazon.
The Build Your Own company has a S.T.E.A.M. ethos for learning. On doing some research, this stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths. This learning style is not solely about sticking to those subjects directly when studying, but trying to incorporate them into ‘real life.’ BYO aim to reduce a child’s screen time by using their products to engage young minds.
The company is also very eco-friendly, ensuring that they use sustainable cardboard for their builds, and avoid the use of plastics where possible. This is noted in multiple places on the packing and website.
When my BYO microscope arrived, true to form, it came in a cardboard box with a cardboard sleeve advertising the product inside. On opening, all of the 54 cardboard components required to build the microscope, come on labelled ‘push out/ punch out’ cardboard sheets with an instruction manual. This should mean, no scissors or glue required…. and thankfully no mess or fuss!!! All the cardboard pieces slot neatly together to build the microscope. Please note that the 2 x lenses and 1 x mirror required for the microscope are found in a small, separate brown envelope within the packaging. The lenses are very small and wrapped in white tissue paper, so ensure you keep them in a ‘safe’ place during the construction phases because it would be very easy to lose them or throw them out by mistake.
Once assembled, the microscope (which offers 30 x the magnification of objects), is 18.5cm in width and approximately 27cm in height. Like a regular microscope, it even has focusing dials and a zoom function to gain optimal viewing of the subject matter!
The BYO company have paid a great deal of attention to how little inquisitive minds will gain the most out of using this microscope. It even comes with 3 viewing trays;
1. Loose particle tray – for things like sand and sugar
2. Opaque object tray – for flowers and insects
3. Translucent object tray – for feathers and leaves
As with any flat pack item, you will need to follow instructions in order to assemble this microscope. It is aimed at children aged 8+ years (through to adult) but if you are anything like me, the instructions aren’t always the easiest of things to follow and thus, an 8 year old may require an adult to help assist them with their build (or in my case, I might need an 8 year old to help show me the way!).
The BYO Microscope received a couple of awards last year including;
Creative Play Awards 2020 – ‘Highly Commended’
Dad’s Choice Awards 2020 – ‘Winner’
These accolades just help to reassure me that this is a quality toy which other parents/ children alike have enjoyed too, and this gives me extra confidence in the product.
We are currently in the middle of British Science Week and I feel this BYO microscope would be a fantastic tool to help capture the essence of science by exploring, studying and investigating! Alternatively, Easter is fast approaching too, so why not buy this as a Easter gift for a child so that they learn whilst having fun over the Easter holidays!
Rating: 4/5
RRP: £16.99
The product can be purchased from Build Your Own here.