I’ve always enjoyed building sets like models and construction sets from LEGO, Erector, and more. The Arckit GO Colours is a model building system that is used by schools and universities as a classroom teaching tool of STEM concepts for developing fundamental design skills. But is this set fun to build? Let’s find out.
What is it?
Arckit sets are construction “toys” that are in the same general realm as LEGO sets, but Arckits are more architectural in nature and are marketed as STEM toys. STEM stands for Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. This particular set is rated for kids ages 10 and up.
What’s in the package?
Arckit offers a variety of sets, but I was sent their GO Colours set which includes 175+ pieces.
The larger pieces fill the box and groups of smaller pieces are packaged in clear plastic bags.
The pieces themselves are made of hard plastic and come in various colors.
The pieces either have tiny holes…
Or tiny posts that fit in the tiny holes.
A pictorial instruction sheet is included with the model to help you build it step-by-step.
Let’s get building!
My first thought about the Arckit was that it would be easy to build because they are similar to LEGO sets of which I’ve built many over the years/decades.
I didn’t take long into the task of building the set, that I started re-thinking that notion. First of all the illustrations in the instruction sheet are not that easy to understand because the drawings are too small and it’s tough to see the individual parts.
I constructed the base layer incorrectly twice due to this issue. But once I got the first step completed I thought I was home free. I was wrong.
Building the walls was frustrating because the wall pieces either have straight edges or angled edges. It’s not easy to determine which type is needed by looking at the instructions without using a magnifying glass.
Once I got past the base layer, the rest of the build got wonky really quickly because it’s not easy to seat the pieces with the posts into the pieces with the holes.
Trying to fit the second-floor layer on top of the structure was almost impossible. As you can see from the image above, the posts and holes don’t want to line up together. Trying to force the pieces in place just results in the other end popping up or other parts unconnecting.
This is what the model is supposed to look like when it’s completed. I never got that far.
Final thoughts
I devoted a couple hours to the task of build this model but got aggravated at the 30-minute mark and gave up which isn’t something I usually like to do. I’m an adult and got frustrated really quickly, so I can’t imagine that a 10-year-old child will fare much better.
While I love the idea of these building sets and all construction sets, I think Arckits are too fiddly for the average child (or adult). They are also too expensive compared to other more mainstream model building construction toys on the market.
If anyone out there has tried Arckits and has had a different experience, please let me know. But as it is, I’m not impressed and did not have fun building the set that was sent to me.
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Arckit. Please visit their site for more info and Amazon to order.
Gadgeteer Comment Policy - Please read before commenting
Could you please share why you got frustrated?
My take is that after the model on the box, it might be tricky coming up with different versions. Go to amazon and search for “yes is more” by bjarke ingels. Maybe all you needed was some inspiration 🙂
Or maybe you could watch episode four of the netflix series “abstract”.
I explained in the review why I got frustrated. The instructions are difficult to see and the parts themselves do not easily seat/attach together.
Oops, my bad.
So from what I see, the build quality of the parts is poor due either to lack of standardisation or low tolerance or wiggle room. I see this toy more for your little spectrum rider. That little aspie in your life. That said, if the build quality is really poor, the meltdowns will be phenomenal.
Depends on the aspie – the younger me would have smashed it down, stomped on it a few times, then flung the set across the room. The older me (with a Mech Engr degree) would sit there and make it work, even if it meant making some “modifications”.
Pictures 10 and 11 are going to haunt me. I kinda see why Julie stopped. If that happened to me I would leave the thing at that stage and keep coming back to it trying new things.
Quick question, could you send it back and have the company tell you what they think? Except for the weird hue, I think it is a nice fidget toy.
The company knows what I think because I sent them the link to the review 🙂
I love ArcKit. It can take a little effort to get the holes in the posts but I greatly enjoy building them. I’m definitely going to be buying some bigger sets.
I completely agree! I’ve been using Arckit daily for creating sustainable housing and the results have been phenomenal.
Thank you for this review! I love how detailed and honest it was – and how you used photos to illustrate the issue. It is so rare that there are truthful reviews – especially when the reviewer has received the product for free. I thought some of the comments other people made here were strange and a little insulting and I’m wondering if they were made by employers of the company who were upset by the honest constructive feedback – lol. Anyway, thanks for the awesome review. It really helped me. I wish they would send you one of the newer TinyTown sets as I’m curious about those.