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Making Connections with Logiblocs

There's no shortage of toys on the market with buttons to push, blinking lights and attention-grabbing sounds, but how many help kids figure out how those flashy systems work? Logiblocs Electronic Discovery Systems combines the wonder of electronic gadgetry with the unique opportunity to control a toy's reactions and figure out how the thing actually works.

I have to say the timing couldn't have been better when my son received a Logiblocs SpyTech Kit as a gift. It arrived a few weeks before Halloween and he had just decided on his costume – a spy! The first treat (for me, at least) was the ease with which he could put the blocks together to create different devices. He was thrilled to learn he could record his own voice, of course, but when he realized how many different ways he could activate the recorder, well, that's when the fun really began.

We used the simple button first, moving on to the light sensor and finally the jack plug, with it's incomplete circuit. Dad got involved at that point and we experimented with the many ways we could complete the circuit. (Another bonus? We found our science fair topic for this year!)

Later, my son's inner spy was released as we created a lie detector, which may or may not have been accurate but was great fun nonetheless, and a door alarm to warn of unwanted intruders. Actually, we created two door alarms, one that's tripped when a door is opened using foil to complete the circuit on the jack and another that's tripped when someone walks by using the light sensor and the "Not" block, which reverses the effect of other blocks. (In this case, it reverses the action of the light sensor, so when a shadow is cast by walking by, the light sensor is activated. But maybe you had to be there.)

Logiblocs were originally created to help kids understand the basics of our high tech world, according to founder and inventor Tony de Rivaz. The blocks are color coded so kids can learn about inputs (yellow), throughputs (blue), outputs (red), "brain blocks," which do things like record, amplify, and delay (orange), and power sources (green).

The company is very receptive to customer feedback and they've designed several new products based on customer requests. The LogiRobot is a great example of a customer-driven product, with its wide range of applications and uses. Not only can you control the robot using an infrared remote, you can set it on "autopilot" and allow the onboard touch sensors to guide it. The robot can follow a light, create drawings, carry objects from one place to another and so much more!

My son also received four LogiMen, futuristic action figures with magnetic feet, useful gadgets and weaponry, and blinking lights for eyes that are activated by a variety of inputs just like the Logiblocs (the press of a button, a light sensor, or a sound sensor). My son was especially enamored with the magnetic feet, turning our refrigerator into Planet LogiMen. He also loved Police LogiMan's working flashlight, Civilian LogiMan's decorative stickers and Agent LogiMan's extendable head (great for peeking around corners!).

Perhaps the best part is that all the Logibloc kits are compatible, so our SpyTech Kit is truly just the beginning. Next we're planning to explore the Super Inventor Kit -- with additional blocks, wires, light bulb and more -- and from there, who knows where our creativity will take us?

Check out all the Logibloc offerings for hours -- make that years -- of logical, high tech, and sometimes silly fun!

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