K'Nex ( ) is a construction toy system created by Joel Glickman of The Rodon Group.

The toy's building system consists of interlocking plastic rods, connectors, blocks, gears, wheels, and other components, which can be assembled to form a wide variety of models, machines, and architectural structures. While K'Nex is designed for children ages 5–12, a bigger version, Kid K'Nex, is aimed towards children 5 and younger.

History

K'Nex was created by Joel Glickman,

right|thumb|250px|A bridge made from K'Nex

The company's products were sold at Toys "R" Us, starting in early October 1992. The acquisition was valued at around $21 million.

In 2024, Basic Fun filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The company will use bankruptcy proceedings to repay its creditors while remaining in operation. Basic Fun emerged from bankruptcy on November 1, 2024.

Pieces

The basic K'Nex pieces used to make models include rods, connectors, and bricks. Basic K'Nex pieces are made out of polyoxymethylene plastic.

Display models and exhibits

Concordia University's Engineering and Computer Science Association (ECA) has constructed models of a Space Shuttle, the Sears Tower, the Eiffel Tower, Habitat 67, and mazes from K'Nex.

The U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama, held a Guinness World Record for "World's Largest K'Nex Sculpture" for a model space shuttle and rocket displayed in their gift shop. The record was broken in 2014 by the BLOODHOUND SSC RBLI K'NEX Build Team in the UK with a 13.38-meter-long K'Nex replica of the Bloodhound SSC supersonic car.

K'Nex has a traveling exhibit, K'Nex: Build Thrill Rides, that visits schools and museums across the US.

Licensed product lines

  • Angry Birds
  • Family Guy
  • My Little Pony, under Tinkertoy (2017–2018)
  • PAC-MAN and the Ghostly Adventures (2013–2014)
  • Plants Vs Zombies franchise (2014–2018)
  • Sesame Street
  • Super Mario franchise including Super Mario and Mario Kart (2011–2018)
  • WWE (2013–2018)

Virtual K'Nex was released in 1998 by Fox Interactive for Windows 3.x.

See also

  • K*bot World Championships
  • Fischertechnik
  • Meccano

References

  • Official K'Nex website
  • Basic Fun! K’Nex website