Smartivity DIY Pinball Machine for Kids 8-14 Years Old Global Award Winning Arcade Game Build Your Own Pinball

I purchased the smartivity pinball machine for my 7 year old son, who desperately wanted a pinball machine for christmas. After looking at some tabletop machines, browsing through numerous reviews, and weighing the pros and cons, I decided that the likelihood of a cheap plastic machine ending up in a landfill after only a couple of months was probable, and not aligned with my less waste goals. Upon first opening his gift, my son was surprised as I'm sure he was expecting an electric game. Once we opened up the box to begin building he was very excited to see all the components, and he couldn't wait to start building. We first made sure everything that was included came in the box and decided it would be best to leave the sheets intact until we were prompted to take the pieces from them. Now let me get to the instruction manual. If there were ever an example of what a perfect instruction manual should look like, it would be this. The directions were exceedingly clear and concise consisting of written description and coordinating pictures of the front view as well as the reverse view which was very well planned out. There was honestly not one step of the way where we were confused on what to do next. we completed the build together in two sessions that were about 1 to 2 hours each, Which I feel is a perfect amount of time to inspire anticipation in my son while not causing frustration or burnout. We're getting to the best part now. This completed pinball game is so so so much fun! my son played for 2 hours straight on the first day. On the second day he played a total of 4 hours trying out all the different techniques and variations. I have never seen him so involved and interested in anything as I saw him with this pinball machine. My teenage son's friend has been over twice this week as well, and he was drawn to the pinball machine both times playing with it for a good amount of time. I especially love the balls in the vaults for keeping your score which doubles as math practice. Overall this has by far been the best online purchase to date that I have ever made, and it has been the most enjoyable thing that I have ever taken part in building. The pinball machine is solid, high quality, and obviously very entertaining as well. If you are looking for a great gift for an engineering-minded kid, I can't recommend this pinball machine enough. Buy it! Read more

This was fun and easy for my 8 year old to follow the instructions and put together mostly herself. She asked for assistance here and there. Once it was put together, I read her the directions to play it and now she’s obsessed with it and has a great time playing. It’s really good quality and works well. It’s worth purchasing! Read more

My husband and 10 year old son assembled this together. My husband said the instructions were super easy to follow and all of the punch outs were of great quality. Super, super impressed and would highly recommend. The assembly process and playing are both fun. Read more

Yes, this one is a winner. Our 12 year old grandson put it together - without assistance. (He likes putting things together - and has learned to follow instructions.) The instructions are a cut above for clarity. As a pinball, it is creative and includes some neat features - like the targets that pop into the air. And it seems to be holding up to the 12 year old and four other sibs and cousins. Will buy from the manufacture again and look at their other kits. Read more

Definitely a favorite Christmas gift. It is suprisingly sturdy and functional for a DIY! So that end result- great. Well thought out and fun to play! Read on for assembly experience: I got it for a 5 year old who has been enamored with pinball machines and I couldn’t find one! I don’t think he would have been happy opening the gift as it came—a box with beautiful picture of a pinball machine with a bunch of “stuff” inside…. un-assembled. He’d want that thing in the picture RIGHT NOW! could be tough for younger kids. So we opened it the night before it was to be given as gift. We were fortunate to have an uncle (age 45) who loves to put stuff together. He spent 2 or 3 hours assembling it (while we sang “we are santas elves” from Rudolph). Had a whole table to lay everything out..recommend planning space. and, again— he LIKES to make stuff so we didnt deal with any frustration. The wood looked like cardboard at first but it is remarkably sturdy and right for this! The use of rubber bands— brilliant! Uncle elf Assembler said instruction booklet was phenomenal. Best instructions I ever saw with a toy! As far as the “child assembly with adult supervision” idea— I’d reverse that thought with the child “supervising”. Maybe an older kid (over 10?) with good attention span & patience could take part in assembly and potentially enjoy the process. A teen seemed interested and helped —for maybe 15 min. Perhaps an excited gift recipient (with patience), would get into it more. I think it would be alot for a younger kid to get involved with assembly. If you want it for the end result (working pin ball machine) and want to minimize adult—kid frustration, I’d suggest: —plan for 3 hours and assemble it ahead of time. —then wrap up the box with all the remnants of punch out parts too — so they can see what a gift it is to receive it assembled!! The gift recipient parents were VERY appreciative of that part! End result was worth it— a nice table top pinball machine which the younger kiddo loved (after some guidance on how to use the flippers WHILE holding the thing in place on table). Learning curve. I’d say a 4 year old on up would love it fully assembled. I don’t write reviews— (I am sure this is too long!) but wanted to share our experience because I really studied reviews before purchase. As others noted—It could be a “project” gift for kid/adult pair who like to put stuff together . But, if you don’t have that think about having someone to assemble ahead of gift giving day! Read more

Bought this for my son’s friend. He’s really into STEM toys. They had a blast putting this together. It’s nice to get them away from video games. It’s not too small and good size to put on a table and play. It’s well worth the money seeing that they played with it for a while. It’s pretty sturdy for what it is. Pros Kids loved it Fun to build Fun to play with Good step by step directions Cons It’s pretty sturdy but I’d be careful not to drop it Read more

This was a gift for my 9-year-old grandson. He was able to punch out and assemble all the pieces with nominal assistance, while still being challenged. The finished project was fully functional and fun to play with. Definitely a fun and creative gift. Read more