"This review is two-part: the first engages my experience with the set, and the second focuses on the set as an alternative to the Friends product line.
This set has been more fun than expected because of the various building instructions included with the set. My daughter likes to take apart the buildings and rebuild the other creations shown in the instruction book. However, it is frustrating having to explain to her that some of the smaller creations cannot be built without dismantling some of the larger creations. For example, the picnic table consists of seven elements: four bricks and three plates, and the three plates are all used for the large Pony Farm. I don't understand why LEGO chose not to include three more plates, one 2x4 and two 2x2s, because the set came with additional bricks.
This set, The Princess Play Castle, and Research Institute are good alternatives to the LEGO Friends product line. Unfortunately, they seem to be the only alternatives to the Friends line. The Friends line implicitly encourages an overtly adult feminized archetype for young girls (i.e., why does every Friends line need a day spa and secret love letters?), whereas the the Pony Farm and The Princess Play Castle are much more age appropriate. Kudos are due, however, to newer Friends product lines that better embrace non-objectionable female aspirations (e.g., jungle rescue veterinarians and the more STEM-centric Elves storyline)."
I would recommend this to a friend!
My Product Recommendations
The Princess Play Castle
(3)
Research Institute
(37)
Share:
+3points
6of9found this review helpful.
Overall:
5/5
Great purchase
Posted:March 27, 2014
RyanH
From: Springfield
From: United States
Age: 25-34
Gender: Male
Customer Type: LEGO Dad
Building Experience: Advanced LEGO builder
Purchased For: Daughter
Build Time:
40mins
Play Experience:
5/5
Value for Money:
5/5
Level of Difficulty:
Easy
"I bought this for my 3 year old daughter, because she always wanted to play with "daddy's blocks" instead of her duplo blocks. She was super excited to open up the container, and all the bags. She insisted we build the set the way the books showed, which I was fine with. It took the two of us 45ish mins to get the whole thing built. She has a blast with these, tearing them apart and building other things, we even built a couple spaceships. I don't see them as "branded" for girls, any more than the racecar is branded for boys. Either can easily enjoy them. This was a great first set for my daughter."
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share:
+17points
19of21found this review helpful.
Overall:
1/5
Why is this gendered?
Posted:March 7, 2014
khanniga
From: United States
Age: 25-34
Gender: Female
"Why must this toy be gendered? Both boys and girls love playing with these toys. My nephew would love to play with this if it wasn't created for little girls. What is it about a horses that necessitates a toy set gendered towards girls? Why can't the bricks be gender neutral colors and have both a boy and a girl Lego character in the set so more children are represented and encouraged to play together?"
(37)
