When it comes to open-ended imaginative play, the flexible toy road stands out as a super option for creative kids. These innovative flexible track sets go beyond traditional fixed road systems by offering kids the ability to build, modify, and create their own miniature road networks, whatever the terrain.
Let's dive into what makes these toys so engaging and why they are becoming increasingly popular among young builders.
What are Flexible Toy Road Sets?
Flexible toy road sets are toys designed to mimic real road systems but with a twist—they're made from flexible and connectable pieces that allow for endless configurations. These sets typically include:
Flexible Track Pieces: Unlike rigid wood or plastic tracks, these pieces are often made from bendable materials like rubber or flexible plastic. This flexibility enables children to create curves, twists, and ramps, adapting their roads to different terrains or imaginary scenarios.
waytoplay King of the Road
Interlocking Components: The pieces are designed to interlock securely, ensuring stability during playtime while also allowing for easy disassembly and reconfiguration. This feature encourages experimentation and creativity as children build and rebuild their road layouts.
Accessories and Features: Many sets come with additional features such as bridges, tunnels, traffic signs, and even miniature vehicles. These accessories enhance the play experience by adding realism and storytelling elements to the road sets.
Benefits of the Flexible Toy RoadÂ
- Creativity and Problem-Solving: By offering open-ended play opportunities, flexible toy road sets stimulate creativity and encourage children to think critically as they design and navigate their roadways.
- Motor Skills Development: Manipulating and connecting the flexible track pieces helps children develop fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination, especially as they handle the smaller components and adjust the tracks.Â
- Imaginative Play: Flexible track sets inspire imaginative play scenarios, from simulating city traffic to creating adventurous race tracks. Children can invent stories and role-play different roles, fostering social and emotional development.
- Versatility and Longevity: The modular nature of flexible track sets means they can be expanded with additional sets or combined with other toys, extending their longevity and keeping children engaged over time.
waytoplay Highway Flexible Road Set
Educational Value and Parental Considerations
Beyond entertainment, flexible toy road sets also offer educational benefits. They introduce concepts of engineering (such as design and construction), spatial awareness, and basic physics (like understanding gradients and forces).
Flexible track has the ability to engage children in fun constructive play while promoting skills that are valuable for academic and personal development.Â
Popular Brands of Flexible Track Sets
Several brands specialize in flexible toy road, each offering unique features and themes to cater to different interests and ages.
Two brands stand out in the field of car and track sets. Waytoplay and PlanToys are well-known for their durable materials and compatibility with other toy systems, ensuring plenty of options for customization and expansion.
Waytoplay describes its product as The Original Flexible Toy Road. Their flexible track is designed to be virtually indestructible and can be used indoors or outdoors – including under water!
The sets are made from a rubber composite material and comply with the strictest European toy safety regulations (EN71), as well as Reach and CCC standards.
You can purchase waytoplay flexible track in a variety of sizes – number of track pieces – and themes, like Highway, Ringroad, and Grand Prix. Waytoplay also offers cleverly designed wooden cars, airplanes and accessory pieces.
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PlanToys Rubber Road & Rail Set
PlanToys has actually been in the game longer than waytoplay. Their Rubber Road & Rail sets are made from natural rubber, harvested in Thailand where PlanToys manufactures all of its toys. This means they are non-toxic, long-lasting, and eco-friendly.
The elegantly designed sets come in Small, Medium, and Large – each with wooden cars and accessory pieces.
PlanToys PlanWorld Vehicle Set
PlanToys flexible track sets are also compatible with other transportation systems in the popular PlanWorld series.
And PlanToys is one of the foremost sustainability-focused toy companies in the world, employing sustainability practices throughout their sourcing, manufacturing, and supply chain.
PlanToys Rubber Road & Rail Set - Large
Flexible track sets provide endless hours of fun
Flexible toy road sets represent a blend of creativity, engineering, and fun for children of all ages. As they construct and design their miniature road networks, kids not only enjoy hours of imaginative play but also enhance their cognitive abilities and motor skills.
With their durability, flexibility, and expandability, these flexible track sets captivate young minds and provide endless opportunities for exploration and learning.
Whether building a bustling cityscape or embarking on an exciting outdoor adventure, flexible track sets empower children to shape their playtime and expand their horizons in ways that are creative, educational, and most of all fun.
Shop flexible toy road at Toycycycle
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