Rusty Rivets - Rivet Lab Playset

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] When we first saw the Rivet Lab Playset in the box, we weren't sure what the toy would actually do. Judging from the box and the name, it looked like it was something kids would put together, but it wasn't then clear what else it might do, or what you could make with it. My five-year-old daughter helped me open the box and started playing with the Rivet Lab. Since there had been a picture of the girl on the box, my daughter was VERY disappointed to find only Rusty, the boy figurine, inside. But she got over it once I told her we could maybe purchase the girl later, and once she started putting the Lab together. Her favorite thing to discover was the button that plays some sounds and lights up. "This is amazing!" she said. She also really likes that the toy can fold up and be carried around. This is one of those toys that kids can play with in different ways by using their imagination. Though it comes with a diagram of instructions on how to put it together, kids don't have to stick with that diagram. The various pieces (like the chair, crane, the robot parts, and Rusty himself) can be moved around and firmly placed in any of the pegs on the toy. It isn't hard for my five-year-old to use these pegs- it's just right for her fine motor skills now- but I do think a three-year-old might have difficulty with them. I should note that neither my daughter nor I were familiar with the Rusty Rivets TV show. That's ok, because I want her to use her imagination and play however she wants with her toys. But I guess we are used to most toys having a back story. Now that we've played with the toy, we are curious about the show, and might try to watch it. All in all, I recommend the Rusty Rivets Rivet Lab Playset.

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] Rusty Rivets Lab Playset is a toy system that closes with everything inside as well as portable for easy storage. It includes a Rusty figure, pieces to create a riding car robot, and other pieces with lights and sounds. I loved this idea for my 3-year old who loves to build and take apart things! He was so excited when it was delivered so he immediately tore open the box to start playing. He used the box for about 30 minutes initially to look at to get an idea of what he will do with all the pieces. After 30 minutes he wanted me to put the box away. I could tell he wanted to figure it out on his own. He played that afternoon for a good 3 hours with it. Even his 8-year old sister joined in and they were quietly playing together with it. The next few days he played with it for about a total of 2 hours each day. Then by the 4th day, it was a matter of minutes. Now, a couple of weeks later, neither of my kids play with it. I think in order to make this play set entertaining long-term for kids, it has to include more pieces in one set. I also think a booklet with color pictures to give the kids new ideas on what to create would be helpful. This might have extended the interest level in the toy system. I still have it out, open and visible in my living room so that my son can play with it at any time. He doesn't though. I guess we'll have to ask Santa for one of the other Rivet Lab Play sets to add on to this one. I really believe with more pieces, he'd be entertained for a longer period of time with this play set.