This half term, we have been busy building this awesome gravity elevator vertical motor using Geomag Mechanics range pieces. This vertical motor does not require batteries, but just a simple push, it will harness the invisible forces of magnetism and gravity to create chain reactions.
We are no strangers to this range as we have previously reviewed the magnetic race track system, loops & turns and challenge goal. This STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) inspired toy is an ideal set to teach children about gravity and magnetism. It combines the classic marble run with modern twists, in this case, the up and down movement of the spheres.
This set comes with 183 pieces and is made up of a magnetic rod, steel spheres and elements of different shapes, such as loops, cylinders and modular parts. It is suitable for ages eight and above.
The pieces are finished to a high standard and there are no sharp edges. Best of all, 90% of the materials are made from recycled plastic. It is a great improvement on using more recycled plastic, as my previous set, the loops & turns, only contain 74%. I love the vibrant colour of green and orange which makes the set stand out. It is Swiss made and all products are aligned with the most stringent European and international safety standards.
It comes with easy to follow instructions to help you to build the basic track to start with and with plenty of extra materials for you to create your own.
Ms C does find it hard to slot a few items together, especially the clear tunnels and so needs a bit of my help. It was slightly tricky but it wasn’t too much trouble. You need to match it up to slot it in together.
Once built, the set doesn’t take up too much table space. The vertical motor looks awesome! I do find that it is best to place the set on a hard floor or table for better stability than on carpet. Of course, they do have plenty of sets for you to expand the tracks to make it into a super combo system, like the Loops & Turns, Rack Track, Gravity Motor and Elevator Circuit.
Now load up the spheres (max of 8) at the top and manually turn the propeller to start. The weight of the spheres will move along the spiral and onto the track circuit. It will then reach the bottom and collect at the exit. It is fun watching the elevator spinning.
Once you have finished playing with it, it is easy to dismantle and pack away. When assembling and disassembling the tracks, it is best to be careful to not use too much force. Simply lifting a corner of the track away from the slot and the track will come off easily. The box is made with a lid to reseal. We used a strong plastic zip lock bag for keeping all the pieces extra safe.
This is a fun set and you can always expand the tracks with other compatible sets. it will make a fantastic gift for anyone! You can get it from good toy retailers, online and The Entertainer. For further information or alternative ideas to create and share your new construction projects: www.geomagworld.com
Disclosure: We received the sample for the purposes of writing this review, however, all thoughts and opinions remain our own. We have included Amazon affiliate links to the products. If you click on this and buy, we may earn a small commission but at no additional cost to you.