Toy trains were created in the early 19th century to advertise a new mode of transport. The models aroused such genuine enthusiasm among children and adults that they had to urgently launch mass production. For a long time, the toy remained a magnificent gift, it was adored by Nicholas II, the grandchildren of Goethe, Vladimir Nabokov, Frank Sinatra and other famous personalities. Today in stores you can find many affordable models, one of which is the Lillabu Railway. Customer reviews will help us decide whether to buy it for a child.
Why does the kid need a railroad?
Toys should not only entertain children, but also contribute to their development. The railway fully performs this function, since:
- constructing paths from rails, bridges, arrows and tunnels, the child develops imagination, spatial thinking, as well as perseverance;
- fastening the parts together, the baby improves fine motor skills, which, in turn, is associated with speech centers;
- playing out stories about travels and adventures, children expand their vocabulary, learn to invent their own plot, creatively process their personal experience;
- often the game becomes collective, while the children learn to interact with each other;
- adults remember childhood with pleasure, a common passion unites different generations of a family.
If the baby is interested in technology, satisfy his curiosity. A great option is the Lillabu Railway from IKEA.
Toy description
The Scandinavians were guided by the smallest children at its creation. They understood that the reliability of the details, the bright plastic and the batteries that make the train run briskly on rails are not so important for a three-year-old crumb. It seems to adults that the wooden Lillabu railway is made roughly, primitively. However, kids think differently. They like to roll the train on rails with their own hands, and not to watch its movement from the side. The absence of unnecessary details allows you to completely immerse yourself in the game, inventing your own stories along the way.
Sets contain a different number of parts from which you can construct all kinds of tracks. From the base kit, the path is collected in the form of a ring, oval or figure eight. IKEA also sells railway tracks with a bridge, a tunnel, simple rails with arrows, additional wagons.
Material safety
The Lillabu Railway is only called the Railway. In fact, it is made of natural wood (beech, birch). Foreign odors are absent. Details are pleasant to the touch, environmentally friendly. It’s okay if the baby decides to try a trailer for a tooth. There are also no small parts that a child can accidentally swallow. Like traces of glue or tiny cloves. It is impossible to put a splinter. Reviews show that parents are not afraid to leave their kids alone with a toy.
Durability
The strength of the Lillabu railway is another virtue that all parents celebrate. Children often break toys, drop them, arrange accidents and test drives that adults have not dreamed of. However, the wooden train from IKEA is resistant to any kind of impact.
The wheels are firmly attached to the base. Strong magnets are placed inside the wagons, due to which they are attracted to each other and do not disengage even at bends. The paint from the toys does not peel off. Plastic joints on rails withstand active use. Many buyers are surprised to note that for several years of constant use, the railway has not lost its original appearance and has moved from older children to younger ones.
Docking Elements
The basis of the toy is the railway bed. The wooden parts do not have the usual protruding rails, but there are grooves for the wheels. For straight segments of the track, they are on the one hand, for curved segments - on two. If you turn over the rounded part, you get a bend in the opposite direction. Segments are attached like a puzzle using plastic joints. Judging by the reviews, even two-year-olds can easily cope with this work.
The disadvantages of the toy buyers include gaps and bumps at the joints of parts. This leads to a stop of traffic or accidents in which the train goes off the rails. The mounting of the bridge raises many questions. Some parents indicate its instability. Others note that the descent and ascent do not fit well with the rest of the details. It turns out a kind of "step" that impedes movement. However, if you play on a flat floor, these problems can be avoided.
Train
The engine and the wagons, complete with the Lillabu railway, are made in an elementary way. It’s just wooden blocks painted in different colors and mounted on wheels. No batteries provided. It is necessary to roll the composition by hand. It seems to some parents that with the modern development of technology this is a clear flaw in the creators of the toy. But psychologists say that this is the option for children under 4 years old.
They quickly get bored passively watching the movement of an electronic toy. The kids want to play a leadership role, to participate in the process. Often, adults give the baby a self-propelled train and watch with amazement as he rolls his hands with rapture.
Judging by the reviews, over time you still have to buy a battery-powered train. Compositions of Brio, Maxim, Janod, and other companies are compatible with the kit. Heroes of your favorite cartoons - trains Thomas, Chagginton, are also suitable.
Price
The manufacturer tried to make the Lillabu railway accessible to most buyers. Testimonials of people confirm this. It is the low price in combination with quality that becomes the decisive factors when making a purchase. Of course, for a full game one set is not enough. All parents note that they have to buy additional details. But even with this in mind, three Lillabu sets are cheaper than many elaborate sets.
They, as a rule, in addition to the canvas and the composition itself, include buildings, figures of people, trees and platforms. But there are fewer rails, as well as opportunities for creativity. Of course, in more expensive sets there are barriers, arches, branches, semaphores and other interesting things. But they can be purchased separately at lower prices. Some parents do this, preferring Chinese firms. As for the little men and trees, they can be borrowed from children's designers. This opens up unlimited scope for creativity.
What age is it for?
The children's railway "Lillabu" was created for kids from three years old, which is written on the packaging. However, parents note that it will be interesting for a two-year-old child. At this age, the game requires the active participation of parents. It is necessary to show the crumbs that all kinds of tracks are assembled from the details. Play a few stories with other toys. Many adults are fascinated by the design process, and the whole family amicably crawls on the floor, testing a new track.
Very often, the IKEA railroad becomes a favorite toy that does not bother over time. Gradually, additional parts are bought up to the main set, tracks become more and more difficult and longer. As parents note, interest in design remains in primary school age. So the toy will last more than one year.
The Lillabu Railway is an excellent gift that develops the logic, imagination, and fine motor skills of a child. When buying it, be sure: not only your children, but also grandchildren will play this toy.