Spirograph Deluxe Set: A Timeless Tool for Fostering Young Creative Minds

Editor's rating:
9.4
Reviewed by Nela Cvetanovska
User's rating:
5.0
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We like

New fabulous gear, wheel, and disk designs

Great for stimulating artistic creativity and imagination

Improves dexterity, eye coordination and proper physical development

Boosts logic skills, self-confidence and a sense of self-achievement

Backwards and lateral compatibility with other Spirograph sets

45 durable pieces in different shapes and sizes

We don’t like

Few customers are concerned over the Chinese manufacturing quality

How it works

If you are looking for a meaningful gift for your little ones there are some toys that have been so well embraced by children that they managed to outlive every trend and stay on the market for many generations to come. You might remember this particular set from your childhood since almost everyone, regardless of age and gender, wanted to try it out and discover the magic behind it. The Spirograph Deluxe Design Set is a fantastic tool as can be discerned from its more than 120 years of use as a mathematical device and as an integral component of drawing toys. While it was only in 1965 that it became commercially available as a drawing toy, the Original Spirograph has been helping many generations of kids with a host of their developmental needs.

Origin

Origin

One of the most useful tools for designers and artists is a spirograph. This drawing toy has been helping a lot of artists and designers come up with fantastic geometric designs that would otherwise be difficult or too tedious to complete if not for this ordinary-looking disk-shape tool. Technically, the spirograph is a device that is primarily used in the production of mathematical roulette curves particularly those known as epitrochoids and hypotrochoids. The original spirograph was invented by Bruno Abakanowicz between the years 1881 and 1900 and was initially used to calculate areas that are delimited by curves.

Over the years, gears-based toys have been integrated in the design and manufacture of drawing toys finally culminating in the design and production of the Spirograph that we all know today in 1965 by Denys Fisher, a British engineer. Today, when we talk of spirograph, there can only be one original, and this particular set has truly proven to be an iconic tool for children to gain confidence and develop their craftsmanship. It is no wonder that it managed to stay relevant throughout history and change the skill set of millions of children around the world.
Design

Design

True to its original design, the Spirograph Deluxe Design Set comes complete with all the different disks, wheels, and rings you can ever get to produce stunning geometric shapes, designs, and patterns. The set comes with the original’s highly unique interlocking wheels and gears enabling anyone who has good fine motor control of both hands to draw super elegant and very stylish spiraling design. All of the pieces that are included in the kit have remained faithful to the design of the original 1965 Fisher design.

One of the distinctive features of the Deluxe Design Set is the inclusion of new geometric shapes that have never been seen before. Whereas the original design was more on the circular gear type design, the Deluxe set now comes with irregular yet equally fabulous shapes such as teardrops, stars, and even hearts as well as 9 other unique designs that are guaranteed to bring out the creativity in everyone who uses it, especially kids who may have a knack for the arts. The inclusion of additional new shapes can be considered a substantial departure from the traditional circular disk shape design of the gears and wheels.

However, this should not be taken as a sign that the company, Kahootz Toys, is already abandoning its commitment to continue with the classic original designs. Far from it, Kahootz Toys is simply expanding on the versatility of the Spirograph Deluxe Design Set by providing the correct tools that will appeal more to the modern generation. The original designs are for the older generations of artists and designers including engineers and mathematicians. The more contemporary designs are intended for today’s generation of young artists and designers who may find circular disks to be particularly boring. Unusual shapes should provide the necessary motivation for them to create something new, something wonderful.
Materials

Materials

The Spirograph Deluxe Design Set is made of long lasting materials that have been cleverly engineered for backwards compatibility. If you already have the original spirograph sets since 1965, you can still use these in combination with the pieces on the Deluxe set. Since the components characterize with durability, and you’ve managed to save them for many years, these sets would greatly complement each other. This toy is also largely compatible with other Kahootz Toys Original Spirograph sets like the Cyclex Kit, the Design Tin Set, and the Super Spirograph Set. At any rate, the Deluxe Set will only expand the creative capabilities of kids who will be using them as well as anybody else who will turn to these mathematical devices for a variety of design purposes.

The Spirograph Deluxe Design Set comes with 19 wheels and 2 rings as well as a rack and spiro-putty. Also included in the package is a very detailed 14-page instructional guide book to help budding artists create fabulous artwork using a combination of different wheels and rings. Three design markers in different colors have also been included as well as 2 pads of 24-page drawing book for your kids to really make a collection of his or her fabulous creations. All of these are stored in one convenient carry and storage box.

Some customers consider have found as a downside element, the sole fact that It’s made in China. Kahootz Toys is an American toy company based in the city of Ann Arbor in Michigan, however, product reviews reveal that the Spirograph Deluxe Design Set is actually manufactured in China. We cannot really guarantee the quality craftsmanship of items coming from China. We have also seen several comments including those who have owned the Original 1965 Spirograph saying that the quality of the disks, gears, and wheels has substantially decreased over the years. Hopefully, this has nothing to do with the original Denys Fisher company creation’s relaunch by Kahootz Toys in 2013, as many toys that are on the market come from Asian factories yet prove to be quite well made and sturdy.
Creativity

Creativity

This genuine set truly fosters creativity. While the Spirograph Deluxe Design Set already comes with a fully detailed instructional guide book, once kids have mastered the principles and the basics of using a variety of disk and gear or wheel combinations, then they will be able to create stunning works of art even without such guides. Creativity is innate. It cannot really be taught. It is closely related to one’s ability to imagine things. The good thing is that there are ways in which creativity can be enhanced. Using the spirograph is one of them.

The spirograph as a tool can greatly improve children’s imaginative skills. When they see their creations they will be more than motivated to look for other ways in which other designs and styles of geometric patterns can be made. All the colorful and mesmerizing lines will inspire the little artists to continue developing their craft and learn to manipulate the shapes and colors in their own unique way. This is a great beginner set for the tiniest members of society that might discover a talent for design, architecture, engineering and many other creative fields. It will undoubtedly become a vessel for artistic expression and unleash the creative genius inside the little Spirograph owner.
Physical Development

Physical Development

It has been scientifically proven that using design sets of this kind, can help provide mastery of fine motor skills which are crucial for proper physical development during childhood. Using the spirograph requires control of the muscles of the hands. One hand will be holding onto the drawing marker or any other instrument while the other will have to hold the spirograph itself. The muscles involved in such movements or actions are the smaller groups of muscles. When these muscles are fully trained, it lays down the foundation for other motor movements which will be important in later life such as writing, typing, and even sketching or drawing.

The set also boosts visual motor coordination. Coordinating what the eyes see and how the muscles move is an important function of the brain. Everything happens in an instant. When kids begin to draw circles or ellipses using the spirograph, visual cues are sent to the brain for integration and for processing. Within a fraction of a millisecond, the brain sends electrical signals to the muscles of the hand to change the pressure on the drawing marker, modify the angle of the drawing instrument, or even stop the drawing altogether. All of these occur in a flash that we are not actually even aware of it. This training for the brain greatly improves the communication between the sensory neural network and the motor neurons of the body’s nervous system. This can have a significant impact in other aspects of the kid’s life, since everything we do is maneuvered by our brain cells.
Emotional

Emotional

Art and design have always managed to impact the children’s emotional state. Creating promotes positive self-concept and self-expression. Being able to create something is largely rewarding. For children, this gives them a sense of fulfillment which will fuel their belief in their capabilities. This fosters the growth of self-confidence which can lead to the development of a more positive idea about the self. Since many of today’s social ills are largely grounded on chronic low self-esteem, kids who are able to develop a positive self-image have a better chance of promoting healthier and a more positive self-concept.

These types of activities are greatly beneficial for children who face autism or ADHD since they create a safe space for the little geniuses who want to relax with arts and crafts. They are able to stimulate their minds and feel calmed and rewarded by the whole experience. By providing your children with a Spirograph set, you allow them to unleash their emotions and feel pride with their ultimate result. This set is also a lovely bonding activity between siblings, family members and friends. They are able to share, not only their final designs with others and get a sense of achievement, but also create meaningful memories during the process.
Logic Skills

Logic Skills

The immense effect this tool has on your child’s logic skills is truly astonishing. After all, it boosts understanding of concepts in mathematics. True to its original design, the spirograph can teach kids some of the basic principles of mathematics, especially those related to geometry. This can then pave the way to a much greater understanding of other mathematical principles as well as the possibility of opening the doors to the engineering sciences. In the modern world, engineers are often at the forefront of revolutionary technology all dedicated towards advancing the quality of life of everyone in the planet. By letting kids play with the spirograph, they are slowly introduced to important concepts that may see them rebuilding their world in the future. Their critical thinking skills and problem solving abilities can be greatly improved by using sets of this kind. As they begin to further explore what causes the shapes and how it affects the whole final design, they would use logical reasoning in order to manifest their visions and improve their skills.

Conclusion

When we were growing up, almost every kid was eager to try this tool. Times have changed and children are offered many advanced sets that allow them to create and build however somehow this kit still captures the attention of every child. The Spirograph Deluxe Design Set is a marvelous tool not only for budding mathematicians and aspiring engineers but also for ordinary kids who simply want the best tool to help them express their full creativity. While the Spirograph Deluxe Design Set comes with all-new fascinating and truly awesome styles of disks, gears, and wheels, Kahootz Toys has not forgotten the elegance and usefulness of the classic design. We can thus say that the Spirograph Deluxe Design Set is a successful marriage between the classic designs of old and contemporary styles of modern times.
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