Site hosted by Angelfire.com: Build your free website today!
My Blox
Fire Truck

A toy review by Mark Patraw
Published on 12/28/15



Manufacturer Information:
Creative Kids, Ltd.
Shantou, Guangdong, China
1-800-506-KIDS
http://creativekids.com/



Packaging

The fire truck comes, unassembled, inside a 20.0 cm (7.9") wide x 14.0 cm (5.5") high x 4.6 cm (1.8") deep cardboard box. Said package contains a paper sheet of full-color instructions and a transparent plastic bag, filled with all of the 58 building blocks (and the blue windshield is also individually sealed inside an even tinier bag--probably because transparent plastic tends to be more fragile than the opaque variety).


The box is about twice as big as it really needs to be (there's still room for a lot more stuff in there), but it's sturdy and protects the blocks well. While the package clearly states that a figurine is not included, the art prominently displays a firefighter, which I feel was a poor marketing decision, given that you're not getting one (and it's likely that some individuals won't notice that disclaimer until after they've already purchased the toy).


Assembly

Since there are only 58 pieces, this fire truck is a relatively simple and quick build. I'd estimate that it took me around 10-15 minutes to do, but, keep in mind that I was also taking frequent breaks to shoot the photographs for this review at the same time, which slowed the process down considerably. The pictoral instructions were clear and easy to understand. That lack of text means that nearly anybody can potentially follow them and assemble this vehicle regardless of their language or reading ability, which I think is great.


As is often the case with building sets produced by smaller companies, the individual bricks aren't manufactured to the same exacting standards that the industry leader, LEGO, is known for, thus, the components don't always sit perfectly flush with one another, and you sometimes need to apply more force than you'd think to connect/disconnect them. Don't get me wrong, they're not bad blocks (in fact, their quality exceeded my expectations), just don't assume you're going to get a flawless fit every time.

If you've got sharp eyes, you may have noticed that there are some slight variations between the images in the instructions and the photo on the box (specifically, the positioning of the windshield and the orientation of the gray cones/yellow cylinders on the water gun barrels and the red slanted bricks on the chassis). Given the modular nature of the toy, it doesn't really matter, as it's easy to swap elements around like that (I chose to place the windshield in a more stable position myself), but the manufacturer should be more vigilant to avoid such discrepancies.


Articulation

The rubber wheels roll independently, or, at least three of them do on my sample. One will only spin reluctantly, and I'm not sure why, as there doesn't appear to be anything amiss with the parts. The double-barreled water cannon assembly rotates 360o, and the individual shafts can also be pivoted up-and-down to aim high-or-low. That impressive range of movement will certainly come in handy when it comes time to put out an imaginary blaze! Finally, the steering wheel turns, which, while not terribly useful, does add a touch of realism to the design.


Cost and Value

I received this item as a gift, so, as I'm not the one who bought it, I can't give you an exact price. However, given that it's a cheaper "knockoff" brand, I'd guesstimate that it was in the neighborhood of five dollars (or less). The quality of "not-LEGOs" can vary wildly, but this particular product is pretty good in my opinion. If you want some building blocks for yourself, or a child, but don't want to pay exorbitant LEGO prices, then My Blox aren't a bad alternative.

For Parents

Creative Kids recommends this product for ages 6-and-up. The building process isn't terribly difficult, so, that sounds about right to me. Due to the large number of small pieces, it wouldn't be a good idea to let younger children handle them, as they could potentially put them into their mouths which would pose a choking hazard. If you don't already have some, it may also be worth investing in a LEGO mini figure, or two, to further facilitate play (a toy vehicle is always more fun with a driver/passenger).


The brick layout around the driver's compartment needs to be modified slightly in order to
accommodate a standard LEGO mini figure, but, once you do, said space works fine.


PROS
CONS
  • These bricks aren't produced to quite the same high standards that LEGOs are, but, they're pretty close and, for the most part, work great.
  • Full-color pictoral instructions are clear and easy-to-follow (no reading required!)
  • Fully compatible with other major brands (LEGO, Mega Bloks, etc.)
  • Price is likely substantially less than a comparable LEGO product.
    		•
  • A mini figurine should have been included, especially when the manufacturer chose to flaunt an image of a firefighter on the box.
  • One of the tires on my sample doesn't roll freely like it should.
    		•


    « Return to my Toy Review Index