Every once in a while a new product comes along that makes you go, "Hmmmm." That was my reaction when I saw these playsets from Muji. They combine Lego bricks and paper, resulting in, essentially, a mixed-media toy.
Here's how it works: you buy a "set" that includes Lego bricks and paper, with a pamphlet that shows some potential designs. You also have to buy a special hole punch that makes holes perfectly sized to receive Legos. And then... you let your imagination, and your kids', run wild.
The question is, though, do we need to add to a Lego toy? What additional value do we get from adding paper to a building toy? The idea is intriguing, but I'm not sure we're on board yet. What do you think?
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Um, I hope they're giving some credit and money to Filth Wizardry, who was doing this and posting it online a long time ago...
Here it is in 2009:
http://www.filthwizardry.com/2009/12/lego-and-hole-punching-card.html
and some more, including free printables:
http://www.filthwizardry.com/2009/12/lego-car-and-duplo-truck-cardboard.html
Wow, I'm going to be so sad for her if they just ripped this off. I hope there's an explanation.
Ahhhhhhhhhhh, OK. I see. She knew about the punch,
http://www.filthwizardry.com/2009/12/lego-and-hole-punching-card.html
which, incidentally, is not a new product (and neither are these paper kits), and decided to try it herself with a hole punch.
Mystery solved!
I think this is brilliant! Too often, I feel like modern toys (and their marketing) constrain children to operate within certain set guidelines. As in, I'm building with Legos, and that means I'm ONLY playing with Legos and couldn't possibly combine my Lego space shuttle set with my GI Joe action figures, because that's not like the picture that's printed on the box. Or, that there is only 1 "right" way of building with Legos (stack bricks on top of each other). I love this idea of letting children expand beyond the traditional boundaries with more creative thinking (stand lego bricks on their sides and connect them with paper!)