Top Construction and Building Toys 2012: BionicBlox Makes the List
Best Toys 2012: Great New Building Sets and Construction Toys from BionicBlox
Staff Report
Salt Lake City, UT - 
Chris Cochella created Bionic Blox in November of 2011. The creation is not something that happened overnight, however. Designed and proudly produced in the USA, Cochella put three long years of research and development into Bionic Blox.
All of the time and dedication really shows when you see the building sets. Inspiration for the wooden building toys came from a general lack of these types of toys for children age 3 to 8 years old. There are quite a few construction toys for boys and girls over the age of eight, but for younger children, there were not too many options.
Building toys have been around since the first toys were created at some point in human history. Today, in the 21st century, wooden building toys are still very popular - with boys and girls.
There are, of course, many basic building blocks that can be stacked - even some with different shapes - but this can be quite limiting when it comes building complex structures. And just because a child is 6 or 7 years old, it doesn't mean they don't want to build big! Chris wanted to create a building set that was truly open-ended. 
Rather than lots of sets with specific structures (like many other construction sets out there), Bionic Blox were created to let children use their imagination.
At the same time, they have a strong science and engineering foundation behind them, making them educational as well. Chris also wanted to create a construction set that was modern looking and represented contemporary buildings that you can see in the real world.
"We wanted to inspire design, innovation and inventing," Chris Cochella, inventor of Bionic Blox, said.
Chris went on to explain that BionicBlox are special because they allow young children - ages 3+ - to easily build large, stable and durable structures. Children readily cooperate to construct buildings bigger than themselves and then use these "inventions" in play - like having a zoo or an airport or an apartment building. These are just some of the many features that set BionicBlox apart from the alternatives out there.
Are BionicBlox Educational
"Yes, BionicBlox are extremely educational and are widely popular among early childhood and elementary school educators," Chris said.
"In addition, many children's museums of discovery, science and technology are using them for education outreach and in their tinkering/innovation studios. The basics of measurement, geometry, shapes, counting and so on are readily available.
"The educational benefits go beyond that to cover cooperative building, 2D/3D thinking, socialization, language skills, physics, early engineering (read the Toy Man report for some good quotes), architecture and overall creative expression. Both girls and boys love building with them."
While the educational benefits are similar to those of Citiblocs, for example, the structural design and physics lessons children get from making connections - not to mention building together and promoting teamwork - expand the benefits of Bionic Blox dramatically. BionicBlox also fit within the STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics) education initiatives. BionicBlox are...
- Fun.
- Easy to bulid.
- Allow children to create big, strong, and durable structures.
BionicBlox was new in 2012! Fresh off the block, they received four awards - from the ToyMan and Creative Child's Toy of the Year Award. Two additions to BionicBlox are scheduled for 2013.
- Different length blocks for a more engineering and building variety along with dowels for bringing motion into the masterpieces.
- Glow in the dark connectors.
"BionicBlox are compatible with Mindward/Keva and Citiblocs. Take your existing blocks to the next level and your kids will build in totally new ways. Many existing customers, retail stores and science museums are discovery the value and benefits of BionicStar connectors paired with their existing blocks," Chris said. Parents looking for an educational and fun toy that is made in the USA and does not require batteries need look no further than BionicBlox, a rising star in the toy world. From parents to educators to children themselves, everyone seems to have something great to say about this toy - and the people behind it.