Fiddlestix

A wooden construction set similar to Tinkertoys.

Fiddlestix is a basic construction set. This set so closely resembles Tinkertoys that I did a little research to see if Tinkertoys were bought out by Ideal, but no, it looks like Tinkertoys are now owned by Hasbro. With that being said, if you are familiar with Tinkertoys, you will be familiar with Fiddlestix.

64 connectors, 70 rods and 10 flags make up this set. All are wooden except the plastic, triangular flags. The six different connector pieces are not painted. The round connector pieces each have holes (to connect to rods) and a groove around them (in case you want to add a string for motion). The rods come in five different lengths and are brightly painted. The rods fit into holes in the round pieces for building and also have slits on both ends so that you can insert a flag if you choose. All wooden pieces are very smooth.

UPDATE: These can be VERY hard to push together. I was building a ladder and a couple of the pieces slipped into place but most of the sticks took a lot of hand strength for even me to push into the connectors. Don't think I would recommend them for therapy unless that was your goal.

There is an instruction sheet included. On it are pictured 18 projects. You will need to be able to work from a picture of a completed model as there are no step-by-step instructions. 

Try this:

• Point to each piece and/or hand each piece to the individual as the individual should add it if they are not able to work from a finished model.
• Look at the diagram and gather the pieces that you need for the project ahead of time. Count all the blues, all the reds, etc. When you are finished building, did you have too many, not enough or just right?
• Talk about the model before you build. Discuss how you could build it, in what order, and why.
• Place a piece for the individual if he gets stuck. Then take it off, hand the piece to the individual, and let him put it back on.
• Talk about the spatial orientation of pieces or sections of the model you choose. 
• Work on visual discrimination, spatial relations, figure ground, visual closure, eye-hand coordination, manual dexterity, coordinated use of both hands, executive functioning skills, process skills, play and leisure exploration and participation

In the box: 64 connectors, 70 rods, 10 flags, instruction sheet

If you are interested in purchasing this item or just want more information, click on the image below. The box below is for 104 pieces, my blog is about 144 but I couldn't find one to link to.