For a little over two weeks now we have been ‘toad testing’ the new Trix Trax from Wonderworld.

This is a track for balls, very much like a marble run.

The Trix Trax has different sets that can be used as a stand alone ball track or combined to make a greater track.

I found that with two children the single box did not really provide enough parts to make a big enough run for two children to use together.

When we first got the set out of the box I allowed Esther and William to explore the different pieces. They immediately knew that it was something to be built and they knew that the plastic bricks could be clicked together to build towers.

I am not very good at building things, this job is most often given to Daddy but I was determined to give the Trix Trax a go. It was made for children aged 3 years and above, surely it was not going to be too much of a challenge for me?

Had it just been me I think I would have been able to follow the pictorial instructions quite easily though I think that the stability of the plastic brick towers may have still lead to a few rebuilds being required.

Trying to build the raised track with Esther and William’s help was just no fun for anyone in involved and more than once has ended in tantrums and tears, and frustration for us all.

And it is such a shame! The wooden elements of this toy are solid and stable but the orange blocks required to give the track height seem of less good quality and they are not stable when joined together. The track is easily knocked over and the track is not always smoothly joined.

My friend commented when she played with the set with us that the Trix Trax could do with a base that it can be built upon that would provide more stability for the set as a whole.

Either that or the bricks need to be redesigned?

Once built and with young toddlers being closely supervised the Trix Trax Spin and Swirl is great fun. We have tested it with children from 2 – 11 and everyone that has used it has said what a great toy it is despite the towering wobbles!

Esther and William love playing with it and we have supplemented the two wooden balls provided with a range of different sized marbles. The larger, heavier marbles work really well but the smaller ones are too light though the children seem to like using them anyway.

We were able to work together as a team to build different structures and test the balls. We talked about the track needing some height to give the ball power to move quickly and make it all the way along the track.

Esther and William love watching the balls and they are beginning to understand cause and effect and how if you change one thing then something else will happen. They also love trying different balls and putting more than one ball on the track at once.

The wooden and plastic parts of the Wonderworld set are all recycled and environmentally friendly. Wonderworld are very proud of their eco credentials and run a fabulous Trees Plus Project that you can become involved in.

This is a great set for developing problem solving skills and for encouraging young children to work together to create something fun to play with.

I think at 3 years old a lot of parental input is required to really get the most from this toy but by 6 years old I think that children could use this set independently or with peers without adult input in a range of creative ways.

Trix Trax Spin and Swirl really engages children and brings out some lovely vocabulary as the children talk about what the track is like and how the ball acts on the track. It encourages sharing and team work for the build and whilst playing.

We have had this out a lot over the last couple of weeks and have shared it with different families that we know. Everyone has enjoyed the Trix Trax Spin and Swirl but have commented on the issue of stability and that the track is tricky for little hands to put together.

The set comes in a sturdy box with carry handle and would make a great gift for a special little one in your life.

At £30 the set is not cheap and to build a really good track I think you would need at least two sets which is quite an investment.

For me, the Trix Trax was not as amazing as I hoped it might be but it is a nice toy, bright and colourful with good educational value.

You can buy Wonderworld Trix Trax sets from The Toadstool UK for whom we have been testing this product.

We were sent one Trix Trax Spin and Swirl to test for the purpose of this review.