KAPLA Art Book 3 - Green, By KAPLA - REVIEW

Nature/ Type:          KAPLA building ideas book 

Rating:                     ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 

Recommended age:  3 year-old ++   

Who would love this: KAPLA builders - especially the young & aspiring builders 

Building with KAPLA is like embarking on an adventurous journey - What would be the outcome? Would it look magnificent? Are we pushing it too far? Would it collapse before it reaches the desired height? Would this be another wondrous creation that would make our hearts beat in excitement? If you need some KAPLA inspirations, KAPLA Art book is a great place to start! Today, I’m going to share about “KAPLA Art Book 3 - Green” - kindly gifted by KAPLA Australia. 

Why I love ❤️ this book: 

(1) KAPLA Building Ideas: Architectural Models 

KAPLA Art Books are a collection of inspiring building ideas exclusively designed by KAPLA. Each of the hard-covered Art Book contains 28 pages of gorgeous KAPLA structures, collated and organised according to builder’s ability level and types of creations. Book 3 focuses on simple architecture. The book shows us the models in colour photographs, accompanied by hand-sketched technical drawings that give us a glimpse of the construction details. KAPLA were originally created in the late 1960s as base material for an ambitious castle model project (upon recognising the limitations of common wooden blocks in market). KAPLA is meant to build what other blocks can’t do; when it comes to certain architectural aspects such as lintels, roofs and floors - KAPLA aces it! The building models in this book range from the modern conventional (symmetrical, straight and tall skyscraper structures), oriental-style (multi-inclined roofs, gable design), to creative geometrical and swirling patterns. They are visually-stunning! 

(2) Straightforward & Simple KAPLA Building Techniques 

This KAPLA Green book is a fun and engaging project to do with young kids. There is no complex techniques in this book. The building steps are relatively straightforward and simple (compared to the other more advanced KAPLA Art Books). We were thrilled to test out some of the easy techniques that we have never tried before. The models can be built using 200 planks or less (which is perfect for those who already owned the basic “KAPLA 200 Box”). 

(3) Good Quality KAPLA Art Book 

The Art Book is artistically-designed and printed, and would make a beautiful coffee table book, and a useful beginner guide for any young KAPLA builders. 

# gifted in exchange for review 

Check out my reviews of other similar KAPLA Art Books: 

• KAPLA Art Book 2, Blue 
• KAPLA Art Book 1, Red 
• KAPLA Book & Colours Set: Green + Yellow 
• KAPLA Book & Colours Set: Blue + Art Book 
• KAPLA Book & Colours Set: Red + Orange 

Where to buy this: 

https://kaplaaustralia.com/products/kapla-art-book-3-green

Enjoy the video! 

KAPLA Art Book 2 - Blue, By KAPLA - REVIEW

Nature/ Type:          KAPLA building ideas book 

Rating:                     ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️  

Recommended age:  9 year-old ++   

Who would love this: KAPLA fans, especially the experienced builders 

“Now, if you want to be great in building, you need to practise, and do it again and again and again ….. “ said, my 4 year-old, a new KAPLA fan! 😉 We are extremely grateful to have received a range a KAPLA Art Books from Kapla (Australia) . Today, I’m going to share about “KAPLA Art Book 2 - Blue”, a beautifully designed hard-cover art book, containing advanced-level construction techniques for KAPLA enthusiasts! 

Why I love ❤️ this book: 

(1) 28 Pages Of Photographs & Technical Drawings - Volume 2 of KAPLA Art Book has 28 pages of exclusive KAPLA models, in colour photographs and hand-sketched technical drawings. This volume is designed for the more experienced KAPLA builders. There are some tricky techniques included in the book that require precise execution and great perseverance. I had many “oh no, I think I made a mistake” moments, and I (sneakily) did quite a few modifications to the final structures when things got a bit too challenging. This book devoted many pages showing us sketches of the building ideas at different construction stages (from setting up the foundation to the final touches). What I love about KAPLA is there is really no “right” or “wrong” way of doing it. I built a classic wooden stilt house, doing my very best to replicate the demanding model depicted in the Art Book; my four-year-old came along and decided to convert the house into a colourful “Ninja training centre”, equiped with mazes and traps. It was a “teamwork” between mumma and daughter, and I think the final result is pretty stunning! 😆

(2) 7 Advanced-Level Models - For this Volume 2, there are only a total 7 (relatively more advanced) models included, with many more pages dedicated to showing us the details and illustrated tips on how to build them successfully layer-by-layer. My personal favourites are the dump truck supported by wheels made of two intricately arranged “logs”, a throne, a gorgeous butterfly with symmetrical wings, and a fabulous sailing ship with masts. 

(3) Quality Of The Book - The KAPLA Art Books range is artistically-designed and printed. They have a quality feel, and would make great coffee table books, as well as a useful guides for KAPLA builders of different ages and levels. 

# gifted in exchange for review 

Where to buy this: 

https://kaplaaustralia.com/products/kapla-art-book-2-blue

Enjoy the video! 

KAPLA Challenge Box, By KAPLA - REVIEW

Nature/ Type:          Balance game 

Rating:                     ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 

Recommended age:  6 year-old ++   

Who would love this: Older Kids or adults who love to challenge themselves with some difficult balance / stacking games 

I love games that display the beauty of balance. Balance is an intersect between art and science; it’s a challenge of hand-eye coordination, full concentration, and skill of searching for that exact point where weight distribution equally meets. I have tested quite a few balance games in the past - but KAPLA Challenge Box (kindly provided by Kapla Australia) is probably the most challenging one I have ever seen, and we’re absolutely loving it! 

Why I love ❤️ this game: 

(1) 12 Exciting Challenges - The set comes with 16 KAPLA planks (of identical size, in ratio of 1:3:5) and 12 challenge cards. The objective of the game? Reproduce and build the models as depicted in the 12 challenge cards using just the 16 KAPLA planks included. At first glance, the game looks deceptively simple. I mean, it’s just 12 challenges, with 16 planks of same size and shape. How hard can it be, right? Turn out, it’s pretty impossible and oh-so-unbelievably tough. We were stuck (and still are) at challenge 7, and have yet to figure out the strategy to get the structures stay in the gravity-defying positions. I love that the level of difficulty increases progressively; these are puzzles that require extreme dexterity and perseverance, from placing 2 planks simultaneously at two opposite edges, precariously balancing a plank vertically in gravity-defying state, to patiently searching for the perfect balance point at the tip of an intricate model. KAPLA Challenge Box is captivating, addictive, intriguing, and we definitely need more of KAPLA challenges in life! 

(2) Compact & Light Weight - I love how compact, light weight, portable the game set is. The planks and challenge cards come in a small, classy, durable box. This is an amazing on-the-go game to bring around for travel and any road-trip! All you need is a flat surface to get the building challenge started! 

(3) Quality & Sustainable Materials - KAPLA is made of 100% untreated French pinewood, ethically sourced from the sustainable, renewable forests in the south west of France. They are versatile building planks, smoothly finished with beautiful craftsmanship, and top-notched in quality. 

Genuinely, we are so grateful to have met KAPLA in our play journey! 

# gifted in exchange for review 

Where to buy this: 

https://kaplaaustralia.com/products/kapla-challenge

Enjoy the video! 

KAPLA Art Book 1 - Red, By KAPLA - REVIEW

Nature/ Type:          Art book with KAPLA models 

Rating:                     ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 

Recommended age:  6 year-old ++   

Who would love this: KAPLA fans looking for inspiring ideas / techniques 

Since the day we discovered KAPLA, we have been experimenting with various construction methods, trying our best to elevate our KAPLA buildings with hint of sophistication. The question of “what other cool things can we do?” has always been lingering in our minds. 😊 We’re so glad to receive a range of KAPLA Art Books from KAPLA Australia recently to inspire our KAPLA constructions! Today, I’m going to share about “KAPLA Art Book 1 - Red”. 

Why I love ❤️ this book: 

(1) New & Challenging KAPLA Techniques - KAPLA Art Books are beautiful, inspiring, therapeutically calming. Within the stunning red hardcovers of this volume 1 book, you will find 28 pages of exclusive KAPLA models in colour photographs, and hand-sketched technical drawings that give us a rare glimpse of the “dissected” views from different angles, stages and perspective for some of the more complex structures. We were thrilled testing out many of the novel techniques that we never knew existed prior to this. We built a pyramidical structure that looks like an unconventional Christmas Tree, adopting a new method of consistently manipulating the weight distribution of the planks from two edges. We learnt to make wacky architectural design, balancing a plank horizontally whilst searching for the mid point between two planks leaning against (and balancing on) each other vertically. Our favourite model is the mischievous-looking, enormous African wild dog model that looks gravitationally impossible at first glance. We learned the technique of building a “makeshift base support” which got removed eventually (like a game of Jenga!), once the main structure achieved sufficient weight and balance to hold itself up.

(2) Medium-Level Difficulty - This Art Book features a range of medium-level difficulty models - There is a snail model with intricate pattern arrangement on its shell, the “lord of the mountain” that reminds me slightly of the Earth Giant from Frozen, an elegant-looking camel, classic Japanese house, and many more! 

(3) Quality Art Book- The Art Book has a quality feel. It’s artistically-designed and printed, and would definitely make a great coffee table book, as well as a useful guide for any KAPLA builders. 

# gifted in exchange for review 

Where to buy this: 

https://kaplaaustralia.com/products/kapla-art-book-1-red

Check out my other reviews on KAPLA: 

• KAPLA & Colours Set - Blue + Art Book 
• KAPLA Book and Colours Set - Red + Orange 
• KAPLA 200 Box: 200 Natural Planks
• KAPLA Book and Colours Set - Green + Yellow

TomTecT 190, By TomTecT - REVIEW

Nature/ Type:          Wooden construction toys with smart hinges 

Rating:                     ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Recommended age:  5 year-old ++   

Who would love this: Kids that enjoy building and constructing! 

TomTecT was created by the designer of KAPLA. But, TomTecT is Not KAPLA. You need to approach this novel building set with a fresh new mind, throw away the perception of “this is going to be an enhanced version of KAPLA” - out of window and smash it to the ground (it’s Not KAPLA!). Thank you KAPLA Australia for providing us this TomTecT 190 set - we LOVE this amazing new building concept! 

Why I love ❤️ this toy: 

(1) Building Toys With Smartly-Designed Hinges - KAPLA uses the idea of weight distribution and balance to build up marvellous structures without the use of glue, screws, or any form of connectors. Its limitations? You can’t held a KAPLA model in your hands like a portable toy, and KAPLA structure can’t be constructed against the rule of gravity (for example, a plank can’t “hang” facing downwards in mid-air). What KAPLA can’t do, TomTecT does it elegantly with cleverly-designed hinges. Included in this set are 30 small hinges, 30 large hinges, and 40 double hinges. TomTecT clips allow structures to go wacky. We can link and join up the planks, create a Ferris wheel with spin-able multi-directional wheel; a giraffe with slim, vertical long neck that changes angles with a push; helicopter with rotatable rotor blades; and animals that have flexible tails and moveable limbs. The design is intelligent, encourages versatile and open-ended play. We love the instructions booklet that provides inspiring building ideas and basic techniques on how to use the assortment of hinge clamps. 

(2) Wooden Planks With 6 Lengths - Whilst KAPLA is known for its identical planks of same ratio and size, this TomTecT set spices up the building concept with 90 planks of 6 different lengths. The multi-length feature gives TomTecT models a cool potential, from structures with changing dimensions to complex skeletal shapes. TomTecT panels are thinner and lighter in weight compared to KAPLA (note: they are not compatible with each other). TomTecT is an innovative building idea of a different nature. 

(3) Sustainable Material - TomTecT is made of pine wood from sustainably managed pine forests in the Landes region of western France. It is beautifully crafted, smoothly done, and works beautifully with the hinges. 

# gifted in exchange for review 

Where to buy this: 

https://kaplaaustralia.com/products/tomtect-190 (Australia) 

Enjoy the video! 

KAPLA Book and Colours Set: Green + Yellow, By KAPLA - REVIEW

Nature/ Type:          Wooden construction planks 

Rating:                     ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 

Recommended age:  2 year-old ++   

Who would love this: Kids and adults with BIG imagination and LOVE for building 

If you have been following my reviews for a while, you probably have seen my posts about KAPLA - a construction set consisting of wooden planks, all precisely crafted in the ratio of 15:3:1. We love the natural timber and minimalistic design. But I also love the occasional pop of colours that accentuates the aesthetic expression of the structures. Today, I’m going to share about “KAPLA Book and Colours Set: Green + Yellow”, kindly gifted by Kapla (Australia) . 

Why I love ❤️ this set: 

(1) 40 Coloured Planks (Green + Yellow) - KAPLA is engaging and holds the curiosity of kids as young as two. It also mesmerises the community of KAPLA builders worldwide with its unlimited potential and incredulous wonder! We love to test out the “impossible”, experiment and search for that right “balance”, and watch the unexpected magic when science of engineering meets the charm of visual arts. This set comes with 40 coloured planks in two colours: 20 in olive green and 20 in mustard yellow. I love the “softness” of the colours, the mellow feel that matches and enhances the light timber shade of the original KAPLA planks beautifully. 

(2) Hard-Cover Art Book - We love the hard-cover art book and the inspiring building ideas! My personal favourite is the sea turtle with touch of lovely green and yellow, and the very majestic-looking shell structure that spirals harmoniously upwards in descending size. I also love the “man of messy hair” - gigantic figure with an adorably confusing expression, sitting on a wooden stool. We enjoyed building the unique house on stilts (talk about gravity defying challenge!), a building with slender and pointy roof spire, an enormous butterfly, and other original and unseen-before models in green / yellow colour theme! 

(3) Cardboard Display Box - I LOVE the cleverly-designed cardboard display box with flexible sleeve for the art book and planks. I love how compact, light weight, organised the packaging and storage is. 

(4) Quality & Sustainable Material - KAPLA planks are made from natural and 100% untreated pinewood, ethically sourced from sustainable and renewable forests in Landes, the south west of France. The coloured planks are dyed using food-safe colouring, top notch in quality and craftsmanship. 

# gifted in exchange for review 

Where to buy this: 

https://kaplaaustralia.com/products/kapla-book-colours-set-yellow-green

Check out my other reviews on KAPLA: 

• KAPLA & Colours Set - Blue + Art Book 
• KAPLA Book and Colours Set - Red + Orange 
• KAPLA 200 Box: 200 Natural Planks

Enjoy the video! 

KAPLA Book & Colours Set - Blue + Art Book, by KAPLA - REVIEW

Nature/ Type:          KAPLA with a touch of BLUE 

Rating:                     ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Recommended age:  2 year-old ++   

Who would love this: KAPLA fans who want to enhance their collection! 

BLUE - a symbol of freedom, tranquility, calmness, Santorini, and (to my three-year-old girl), the colour of Elsa from Frozen. We love KAPLA and all its fantastic sets, but I’m particular fond of this “KAPLA Book & Colours Set - Blue + Art Book”. 

Why I love ❤️ this toy: 

(1) KAPLA In Dark & Light Blue - KAPLA is a construction set consists of precisely-crafted planks, all in identical size, in the ratio of 15:3:1. With KAPLA, we can dream BIG, visualise the impossible, from the simplest to the most complex structures imaginable! KAPLA is an art, but also a science. It requires patience, perseverance, and an eye for aesthetic detail; it is also an experiment of weight distribution, gravity, and balance. This set comes with 40 coloured planks in dark blue (20) and light blue (20), completes with an art book. I’m in love with the beautiful shades of blue: the softness of the Arctic blue, and the darker cobalt blue. I love to mix them with the natural planks to give the structures a touch of serenity. These coloured planks are perfect to enhance a variety of models, from snowflakes, night owl, Eiffel Tower, to other soothing blue creations. 

(2) Love The Art Book! - The hard-cover art book and the ideas within are fantastic! I enjoy working with the kids to complete the models - each presents a challenge of its own, and all so satisfying to build and accomplish! We love the blue squirrel with enormous gravity-defying “bush” of tail, the peacock-like creature with spectacular blue “feathers”, a wacky-looking guy with “messy” blue hair, gorgeous geometric structures, and an adorable twin-houses that immediately captured my heart! Each models are artistically inspiring, original and captivating with a seamless blend of blue. 

(3) Cardboard Display Box - I LOVE the cleverly-designed cardboard display box with flexible sleeve for the art book and planks. It’s compact, light weight, organised, and provides easy storage. 

(4) Sustainably & Ethically Made - KAPLA planks are made from natural and 100% untreated pinewood, ethically sourced from sustainable and renewable forests in Landes, the south west of France. The coloured planks are dyed using food-safe colouring, top notch in quality and craftsmanship. 

See my other related reviews: 

• KAPLA Book and Colours Set - Red + Orange
• KAPLA 200 Box: 200 Natural Planks 

# gifted in exchange for review 

Where to buy this: 

KAPLA Australia 

KAPLA 

Enjoy the video! 

KAPLA Book and Colours Set - Red + Orange, By KAPLA - REVIEW

Nature/ Type:          Identical building planks in red + orange 

Rating:                     ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Recommended age:  2 year-old ++   

Who would love this: KAPLA fans and anyone who wants to enhance their building experience! 

KAPLA amazes us continuously with its limitless potential and open-ended concept.  The “KAPLA 200 Box” is a great set to kick start a KAPLA creative journey. But if you want to enhance your experience and give your models a hint of colourful vibrancy, then you should try out one of the “KAPLA Book and Colours Sets”; today I’m going to talk about this red + orange set that we truly love. 

 

Why I love ❤️ this toy: 

(1) Red + Orange Planks - KAPLA are identical, smoothly crafted planks that allow builders to create anything, from the simplest to the most complex structures. No glue or clips or any supporting accessories are needed; the only thing you need is your imagination! It’s fun to build up, and even MORE fun to break the construction apart. This set comes with 40 coloured planks in red and orange, completes with an art book. You can of course build various impressive structures just by using these red and orange planks; but if you already own the essential natural planks, these fiery red and orange are just the perfect colours to give a touch of liveliness to your created models. 

(2) The Art Book! - I LOVE the hard-cover art book! I love admiring the building ideas and working with the kids to get the models built up. We love the mystical creatures, the gigantic “scarecrow”, majestic buildings that remind me of a contemporary art gallery, artistically-designed arch structures, skeletal frames, classic motor vehicles, trailer truck, and many more. I love that the art book includes models from the easy low-level structures to the gravity-defying types. The building ideas incorporate the red/ orange colour theme into the creations seamlessly and beautifully. There are also Light Blue/Dark Blue and Green/Yellow box sets available. I will share about them in the coming weeks. 

(3) Display Box - I love the cleverly-designed cardboard display box with flexible sleeve for the art book and planks. I love how compact and organised the box set looks. 

(4) Sustainable Material & Quality - KAPLA planks are made from natural and untreated Landes pine, ethically sourced from 100% renewable French forests. The coloured planks are dyed using food-safe colouring. I love the quality and craftsmanship! 

# gifted in exchange for review 

Where to buy this: 

https://kaplaaustralia.com/products/kapla-book-colours-set-red-orange (Australia) 

Enjoy the video! 

KAPLA 200 Box: 200 natural planks, By KAPLA - REVIEW

Nature/ Type:          200 wooden planks in identical size 

Rating:                     ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 

Recommended age:  2 year-old ++   

Who would love this: Anyone!!! KAPLA is for all ages & personalities, kids + adults 

I have been a KAPLA follower for a really long time; the bold and extraordinary creations of the world-wide KAPLA community have always impressed me profoundly. No glue, screw or clips are required. What you need is an imagination, steady hands, and a basic sense of balance and gravity. I am sincerely thankful to KAPLA Australia for providing me this “KAPLA 200 Box: 200 natural planks”. We’re immensely excited to start our journey as a newbie KAPLA-builders! 

Why I love ❤️ this toy: 

(1) Learn New Building Techniques - We have played with similar plank-building sets in the past, but I never fully grasped any basic techniques and my constructions were often limited. I love the included KAPLA booklet that features various images of building ideas and “dissected” process, allowing us to have a rare glimpse of the complex KAPLA structures from different angles and perspectives. We learned about the 3 “basics” of planks-stacking (flat, on the side, or standing-up vertically). We learned how to build “circular” shape that ascends in size, how to defy gravity by using symmetrical weight, how to build a ramp and other dramatic sloping surfaces, and how to build a spiral staircase by searching for the balance point. It is amazing what such seemingly simple construction units (perfectly identical planks in 15:3:1 ratio) can create! 

(2) For All Ages - KAPLA is for all ages and personalities! My three-year-old set up a “playground” and enjoys knocking down the planks. My six-year-old loves challenging himself with tall structures and complicated maze. It’s light weight, open-ended, inspiring. KAPLA encourages development of fine motor skills, concentration, and perseverance. 

(3) Sustainable Material - KAPLA is made of natural untreated wood from the sustainably managed pine forests of Les Landes (France). The planks have smooth finishes, and are precisely cut and subject to high quality controls. 

(4) Expandable & Additional Features - I love the few special “KAPLA” signs that give an iconic touch to the created structures. I love that KAPLA is expandable and we can add on to our collection with more planks. I also love the simple and easily portable cardboard storage box with cord handle that comes with this set. 

# gifted in exchange for review 

Where to buy this: 

https://kaplaaustralia.com/products/kapla-200-box (Australia) 

Enjoy the video!