K'Nex facts for kids
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| Type | Construction set |
|---|---|
| Inventor(s) | Joel Glickman |
| Company | Basic Fun! |
| Country | United States |
| Availability | October 1992–present |
| Slogan | Imagine, Build, Play Building Worlds Kids Love The K'Nex Big Thing Where Creativity Clicks |
K'Nex (pronounced "kuh-NEKS") is a super fun construction toy system. It was invented by Joel Glickman and first came out in America in 1992. K'Nex is designed and made by K'Nex Industries Inc. in Pennsylvania. In 2018, a company called Basic Fun! bought K'Nex.
This toy system uses plastic rods, connectors, blocks, gears, and wheels. You can connect these pieces to build many different models. You can make machines, buildings, and all sorts of creative structures. K'Nex is usually for kids aged 5–12. There's also a bigger version called Kid K'Nex for younger children.
Contents
The Story of K'Nex
The very first K'Nex Box was sold in the U.S. in 1993. Early K'Nex models that could move used a handcrank. This crank made the parts turn. Soon, K'Nex added gears and motors. These new parts allowed models to move all by themselves!
K'Nex products started selling at Toys "R" Us stores in October 1992. By 2011, K'Nex toys were sold in over 25 countries around the world. This included the United States.
In 2018, Basic Fun!, a toy company from Florida, bought all of K'Nex. This big purchase helped K'Nex continue to grow. Basic Fun! had some financial challenges in 2024. However, they worked through them and are still making toys today.
What Are K'Nex Pieces?
The main K'Nex pieces you use to build models are rods, connectors, and bricks. These basic K'Nex parts are made from a strong plastic called polyoxymethylene. The rods come in different lengths and colors. The connectors have different numbers of slots. This lets you connect rods at various angles.
Amazing K'Nex Creations
People have built some truly incredible things with K'Nex!
University Models
At Concordia University, students have built huge K'Nex models. These include a Space Shuttle, the Sears Tower, and the Eiffel Tower. They even built a model of Habitat 67, which is a famous building complex.
World Records and Exhibits
The U.S. Space and Rocket Center once held a world record. They had the "World's Largest K'Nex Sculpture." This center in Alabama also has a giant K'Nex space shuttle and rocket. In 2014, a new record was set in the UK. A team built a 13.38-meter-long K'Nex replica of the Bloodhound Supersonic Car.
K'Nex also has a traveling exhibit called "K'Nex: Build Thrill Rides." This exhibit visits schools and museums. It lets people see and build exciting K'Nex creations.
K'Nex Computer Games
K'Nex even had its own computer games! K'NEX The Lost Mines: Adventure Begins was released in 1998. It was made for Windows 95 computers. Another game, Virtual K'Nex, also came out in 1998.
See also
- K*bot World Championships
- Fischertechnik
- Meccano
