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Why we LOVE this product!
The shake table is what makes this kit. Plenty of kits have kids build a bridge; this one asks whether the bridge and tower will survive an earthquake, and lets them change the design and try again. That loop of testing and fixing is how engineers actually work.
KiwiCo's reviewers (only 5 so far, all 5 stars) say it's well made and keeps kids coming back to try new structures.
Two things to weigh: KiwiCo's own age label (9+) is higher than the range it files it under, and the book is a general one about jobs rather than about engineering.
Description
SKU:
6334
The KiwiCo Civil Engineer + Who Makes That? Book Bundle pairs KiwiCo's Civil Engineer Starter Kit, where kids build a bridge and a tower and test them on a motorized earthquake shake table, with the Who Makes That? book, with fold-out pages about the people and jobs behind everyday things such as jeans, chocolate, toilet paper, phones and books.
What's inside
- Civil Engineer Starter Kit: a 20-piece bridge set, a tower base, a straw-and-connector building set, a 2-piece shake table set, 4 dampers, a motor, a battery pack with an AA battery, a disk, 7 washers, 8 zip ties, 6 rubber bands, 4 chenille stems, a sticky foam sheet, 3 illustrated instruction booklets, a folder of civil engineer information and a poster
- Who Makes That? book from KiwiCo
How it works
Kids build an arch bridge held together only by friction and gravity, then a tall straw tower they strengthen with reinforcements and dampers. They wire a motor into the shake table, switch it on and watch which designs survive the "earthquake", then change the structure and test again.
What kids learn
- Structural engineering: why arches, triangles and bracing make structures strong
- Earthquake engineering: how dampers help real buildings ride out a quake
- Iterative design: build, test, change one thing, test again
- Simple circuits: wiring a motor to a battery pack
- Careers: what civil engineers do, and in the book, the jobs behind everyday products
Good to know before you buy
- Age: KiwiCo labels this kit Ages 9+ (the book is labeled 5+), although it sits in KiwiCo's 6 to 9 range; younger builders will need an adult for the wiring.
- Battery: an AA battery is included.
- The book: KiwiCo doesn't publish a page count, author or reading level for Who Makes That?, beyond its own Ages 5+ label.
- Price: $41.95 at KiwiCo at the time of writing, a $6.95 saving on buying the crate ($29.95) and the book ($18.95) separately. Shipping is free on KiwiCo orders over $75.
- Stock: KiwiCo marks the bundle as limited stock, so it may sell out.
- KiwiCo's web address: this bundle's page address on KiwiCo says "veterinarian", but the page is the Civil Engineer bundle (product 6334).
Who it's for
Kids who build towers just to knock them down, and families who want a weekend engineering project with a clear test at the end. It also suits a child whose parent or relative is an engineer.
CuriosityInspired may earn a commission on this purchase
Learn more!
Learn more
- Civil engineers (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics): what civil engineers do, how they train and where they work, for older kids and parents
About
KiwiCo
KiwiCo was founded in 2011 by Sandra Oh Lin, an engineer, mother, and entrepreneur who wanted to make creative, hands-on learning easier for families. As a parent, Sandra appreciated projects that encouraged children to explore and invent, but found it difficult to consistently find ideas, research activities, and gather all the necessary materials. She created KiwiCo to make those enriching experiences more accessible.
The company began as Kiwi Crate, offering activity boxes designed to help children learn through making and experimenting. As the range expanded to serve more ages and interests, the business adopted the name KiwiCo in 2017 to reflect its broader collection of projects and educational experiences.
KiwiCo develops activities across science, technology, engineering, art, geography, and other subjects, with projects designed by a team of educators, designers, engineers, and makers. The company also gathers feedback from children to help ensure that its projects are engaging, age-appropriate, and fun to complete.
KiwiCo's mission is to inspire the next generation of innovators by helping children build creative confidence and problem-solving skills. Through hands-on discovery, it encourages kids to become active creators, experiment with ideas, and learn by doing.
