The Learning Journey Techno Gears Marble Mania Mega Construction Set

by The Learning Journey

Product Features

• 430+ Piece Construction Set
• Power Lifter Automatic Ball Returns
• Interlocking Plates Gears Electronic Sound Chamber 3-D Connectors Shafts Channels Funnel And Pendulum
• Motorized Gear Unit
• Inspires Creativity

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 25 x 9.6 x 25 inches ; 8.4 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 8.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: 1400659477
• Item model number: 745533
• Our recommended age: 8 - 12 years
• Manufacturer recommended age: 8 - 12 years
• Batteries: 3 Nonstandard Battery batteries required.
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,196 in Toys & Games (See Top 100 in Toys & Games)
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

This high-tech version of Marble Mania has over 430 pieces allowing you to build a bigger and better marble run. New dual marble tracks, an electronic sound chamber and a spiral track channel are just a few of the features of the Mega set. Techno Gears Mega Marble Mania will keep your young architect busy creating exciting working and moving creations. Requires one “AA” battery. Ages 8+ years.

Kids will love watching their marble race down the track they built.

With over 430 pieces, the Mega Marble Mania provides hours of fun and learning!

Construction and Racing Fun!
Kids will have a blast assembling the Techno Gears Mega marble run. After the set is complete, children can invite their friends over and race marbles down the track. Your child can start by building the design shown in the instruction manual and can branch out from there to build different designs using his/her creativity. The product entices kids with bright colors, fun sounds, and neat electronic components. Building the set is also an excellent exercise in logic, problem solving, and teamwork.

Precise Instructions
Techno Gears Marble Mania Mega comes with a full-color, 48 page, step-by-step instruction manual. This detailed guide will pace you through the construction of your set and get you on your way to a terrific build. Each piece is labeled with its own part number to make the process easier. The manual guides your through milestones so you know you are on the right track. Once you have the build complete, you can watch it move and work. It's a work of art! Looking for new designs? Go to our website at www.technogearsmarblemania.com for more Mega builds. And the only limit is your creativity and imagination! Use your 430 construction pieces to build your own MEGA MASTERPIECE!

Positive Feedback & Awards
"As for the educational aspect, it is great for logical thinking and scientific experimentation. Once children start building their own creations, they start exploring the science of 'what if', as in 'what if I move this piece higher' or 'what if I change this angle'. "- Teacher "What I liked about this is that you can create other structures from your imagination. Use the instruction booklet or log on to The Learning Journey's website for more designs... so the fun really never ends." - Parent Not only is Techo Gears Marble Mania Mega loved by kids around the world, it has also been recognized by Creative Child Magazine as 2008's Top Toy of the Year. Creative Child Magazine's Awards Program is unique in that all products submitted are reviewed by moms, music educators and early education professionals. Only one product per category wins the coveted Toy of the Year award!

What's In The Box?
Techno Gears Mega Marble Mania with over 430 pieces including dual marble tracks, instruction manual, a chamber of sound, a marble twister, and a power lifter that automatically returns your marbles to the top of the run.

The Learning Journey's Marble Mania Mega was voted Creative Child Magazine's Top Toy of the Year in 2008!

Product Description

This high tech version of Marble Mania has over 450 pieces allowing you to build a bigger and better marble run. New dual marble tracks, electronic sound chamber and a spiral track channel are just a few of the features of the Mega set. Techno Gears Mega Marble Mania will keep your "young architect" busy creating exciting working and moving creations. Requires one "AA" battery, not included.

See all Product Description

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Review from a day care teacher, October 19, 2009

By 

J. Naude - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Durability:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: The Learning Journey Techno Gears Marble Mania Mega Construction Set (Toy)

I am amazed reading all these reviews. Many state it took hours to build and doubts as to whether an 8 year old could do it. I have this set plus another from this company in my school age classroom (5-12 years old, before/after school and summer camp). It took 4 of my students working together to build this set about an hour. I only had to step in to break up any arguments. The youngest engineers were 7. There was one 8 year old, and the oldest was 11. It is possible for children to do.

As for the educational aspect, it is great for logical thinking and scientific experimentation. Once children start building their own creations, and yes it is possible, they start exploring the science of "what if", as in "what if I move this piece higher" or "what if I change this angle". Of course parents and educators sometimes need to supply the terminology and maybe an idea or two to move things along.

Last on the educational theme, paired with other household or classroom objects this becomes a great way to introduce children to Rube Goldberg and making new inventions. Go ahead and Google him, I'll wait.

My point with this review is you cannot to sit back and be a spectator with any educational toy. It does require some parent involvement. If children get bored with this amazing toy, then it is the parent or educator's responsibility to step in and encourage new play and experimentation. Let's face it, any toy becomes boring if nothing new is introduced.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Hard to build, fun if the parts don't break!!!!, January 3, 2008

By 

KEK - See all my reviews

= Durability:1.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:3.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: The Learning Journey Techno Gears Marble Mania Mega Construction Set (Toy)

We bought this for our son for Christmas. Part 16 in this product is very weak and breaks when trying to install it. There are 20 part 16s in this product. I called Learning Journey to get replacements and they want to charge me .25 per piece even though this is a defective part problem. I would not recommend this product nor similar products by Learning Journey / Techno Gears. We had a similar situation with a Fisher Price toy and they replaced it no problem, no charge.

11 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Way Better Than Crybabies Make It Sound, July 1, 2010

By 

Shannon "shanphoo" (Campbell, CA) - See all my reviews

= Durability:3.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: The Learning Journey Techno Gears Marble Mania Mega Construction Set (Toy)

"I bought this complicated looking toy thinking it would be easier to put together than Legos... BooHoo. I had to actually help my child and be - gag - involved with his/her development, learning, and play... Waaa. Now my 7 year old isn't having any fun with this toy rated for 8+... Sob. I don't get the interweb thingy so I only have instructions for the model shown on the box... When I was a kid I hated Mousetrap!" Jeez, people! If this really was such a chore for you to put together, I'm surprised you actually bought it. There _are_ pictures on the box, and they don't make it look uncomplicated. The complexity is actually part of the draw for those of us who like this. SO... If you are someone who enjoys a puzzle and rewarding challenge, has good judgement about the play and assembly skills of your child, and wants to spend a bit of extra time together with your child(ren), then this is a toy for you. If you want an activity that slides out of the box ready for instant play and doesn't give anyone a headache, may I suggest Wood Blocks? You can even add marbles. "But wooden blocks are not sustainable..."