The years from age nine into the teenage years are very exciting and rewarding for children. They are moving from elementary school to middle or junior high school. They are becoming young adults and they are taking a much greater interest in the world around them. Their small muscle development is beginning to reach adult levels and they are able to manage small parts quite well as they build models and take a greater interest in crafts that may have been frustrating in the past. Our children are growing up!

At K'NEX our goal is to provide the finest in imaginative and creative toys for your child. In an effort to provide your child with and exciting building and play experience, we have reviewed some of the child development research so we can provide some guidance as you make selections. Ultimately the decision is in your hands and we are confident that you will make selections that expand and extend your child's experiences.

Not surprising enough, children in this age group are looking to tackle larger and larger building projects which contain greater and greater detail. Once the model is built, the child's mind begins to imagine and plan new and imaginative ways to improve on what they have built. Often the K'NEX staff speaks with parents who mention, "No sooner do they have it (a K'NEX model) built and they are making changes to make it even better. I am always amazed at the ideas my child comes up with." With these thoughts in mind, you as the parent can consider larger more complex building projects as provided by the K'NEX Thrill Rides product line. Most likely, trips to the construction aisle at your local toy store will result in many pleas for the biggest and most complex of the K'NEX Sets.

Many of our children will adopt different learning styles as they grow and develop. Some will become more verbal/linguistic in their learning style while many of their friends, siblings, and classmates may be more visual/spatial in their learning styles. Parents and educators alike realize that in order to provide children with the greatest opportunity to learn and flourish in this ever-changing world, we need to provide them with experiences and opportunities that span a variety of learning styles. K'NEX construction toys offer you the parent with an excellent opportunity to help provide rich, visual/spatial construction experiences for your children.