Engino Simple Machines Set, Building Kit for Young Inventors, STEM Projects for Kids Ages 9+

$54.99
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SKU: STEM40

 

Complete 5-in-1 pathway covering Levers & Linkages, Wheels-Axles-Inclined Planes, Pulley Drives, Cams & Cranks, and Gears & Worm Drives, each with its own theory, experiments, and quizzes.

Build 60 working models across the series with printed and online 3D instructions via the kidCAD (3D Viewer) app.

Teach real mechanics by exploring gradients & friction, pulley systems (fixed/movable), motion conversion (rotary ↔ linear/reciprocating), and gear ratios/torque with hands-on investigations.

Specifications

9+

Appropriate
Ages

197

Pieces

60

Models to
Build

5

Printed
Instructions

60

Online 3D
Instructions

Case Pack Details

Description

Start with Levers & Linkages to see how changing fulcrum position or linkage geometry multiplies force and traces precise paths (e.g., Peaucellier-Lipkin and Hart straight-line linkages). 

Move into Wheels, Axles & Inclined Planes to measure how gradient and friction affect the effort needed to move loads and convert rotation into useful linear motion.

With Pulley Drives, compare fixed vs movable pulleys and multi-pulley systems to relate speed ratio, weight, and effort which are core to understanding lifting machines.

Cams & Cranks then show how rotational motion becomes reciprocating and back again in powering oil pumps, sewing machines, and more.

Finally, Gears & Worm Drives develop intuition for gear ratio, direction change, torque, and speed in compact gear trains.

Each module ships with a booklet of theory, experiments, and quizzes plus printable/online instructions and 3D app support so young learners can read, test, and build like real junior engineers.

What’s in the Box & Why It Matters

  • Levers & Linkages: Build 16 working models to explore the three classes of levers and linkage motion.
  • Wheels, Axles & Inclined Planes: Create 14 models to investigate gradients, friction, and the conversion between rotational and linear movement.
  • Pulley Drives: Assemble 8 models to compare fixed and movable pulleys, plus compound pulley systems.
  • Cams & Cranks: Construct 8 models to study motion conversion and force–speed tradeoffs.
  • Gears & Worm Drives: Build 12 models to understand gear ratios, torque, and changes in direction of motion.
  • Interactive 3D Instructions: All modules connect to the kidCAD (3D Viewer) app, allowing rotate/zoom steps for eco-friendlier, independent learning.

Models Kids Can Build

1. Levers & Linkages

  • Movable Weight Scale: Balance arms to see how distance from fulcrum changes effort (mechanical advantage).
  • Wheelbarrow: A second-class lever that shifts heavy loads with less input force.
  • Pantograph: Trace and scale drawings using linked parallelograms; explores similar triangles and path accuracy.
  • Peaucellier-Lipkin & Hart Linkages: Build exact straight-line mechanisms and compare their motion.

2. Wheels, Axles & Inclined Planes

  • Launching Platform: Adjust ramp angle to study how gradient affects range and required effort.
  • Door with Knob/Lock: Convert small rotational inputs into secure, larger-scale motion.
  • Well Mechanism: Rotate an axle to lift a bucket and observe radius vs effort.
  • Airport Staircase/Field Tractor/Crane Car: Build rolling machines and discuss friction and wheel diameter.

3. Pulley Drives

  • Dragster with Pulley Drive: See how pulley sizes change speed vs force.
  • Fixed vs Movable Pulley Lift: Compare effort and travel for each; introduce speed ratio.
  • Multi-Pulley System (Block & Tackle): Stack pulleys to reduce input force and discuss tradeoffs.

4. Cams & Cranks

  • Oil Pump (Piston Pump): Measure force-speed-stroke changes as you reposition the crank; explore motion conversion.
  • Sewing Machine: Observe rotary-to-reciprocating motion of the needle using crank and linkages.
  • Fishing Crane: Turn a crank to lift loads and discuss force paths through the mechanism.
  • Flying Eagle: Use cams, cranks, and linkages to flap wings, connecting motion types in one build.

5. Gears & Worm Drives

  • Gear Trains & Worm Drive Mechanisms: Assemble gear ratios that trade speed for torque and change direction; discuss input vs output.

Who It’s For

  • Curious kids (ages 9+) who love to build, disassemble, and ask “but why?”
  • Parents & grandparents who want meaningful gifts with lasting value; hands-on tinkering, together or independently.
  • Teachers & homeschoolers seeking ready-to-use STEM kits that bring science and engineering concepts to life.
  • STEM clubs & after-school programs looking for engaging projects that inspire collaboration and creativity.
  • Science fairs where students need high-quality models to demonstrate real-world engineering principles.

Learning Benefits

  • Mechanical Advantage & Force Multiplication: Investigate how lever arms, pulleys, and gear ratios reduce required effort for the same load.
  • Motion Conversion: Convert rotary ↔ linear/reciprocating motion using cams and cranks, then quantify the tradeoff between force and speed.
  • Friction, Gradient & Efficiency: Use ramps and wheels to see how surface and slope change the effort needed to move objects.
  • Systems Thinking: Build mechanisms that combine simple machines (e.g., linkages + cams) and trace input/output across the system.
  • Inquiry Skills: Follow structured experiments and quizzes to collect measurements, analyze results, and check understanding.

James Elwood, Austin, TX

The quality of the plastic and connectors is excellent. We’ve built and rebuilt the same set many times, and it still feels brand new.

Priya Nanda, San Jose, CA

We gave an Engino STEM kit as a birthday gift — it completely outshined the other toys! It keeps our son engaged for hours while teaching him valuable skills.

Ali Khan, Toronto, ON

The instructions are super clear and visual. My 8-year-old was able to build models all by himself within minutes. Great confidence booster!

Sarah Thompson, Chicago, IL

We tried several robotics kits before this, but Engino stands out. It’s not just plug-and-play — kids actually learn how the parts work.

View full details

Construction Levels

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Building

Building

Score depends on the number of parts and connecting points The ENGINO building system has a patented design of the parts which allows connectivity of up to 6 sides simultaneously, while the unique extendable components lead to builds that were previously unthinkable, unleashing kids' creativity and imagination. Sets include printed step-by-step instructions for the main models, but also online through our kidCAD™ interactive app.

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Mechanics

Mechanics

Score depends on the number of mechanical parts ENGINO Mechanics System consists of around 150+ different components, including new wheels and axles, beams and connectors and some impressive locking technologies, that are all ® compatible with the Classic ENGINO building system parts. With gears and pulleys models can be engineered to become functionable, by changing speed, direction of motion or torque!

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Motors

Motors

Score depends on the number of motors The ability to animate technical models using motors is the first step before introducing Robotics. Motorized sets ® can bring your ENGINO inventions to life, offering young learners the ultimate engineering adventure.

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Coding

Coding

Score depends on sensor's type and quantity Real robots need a controller with microprocessor and sensor inputs and ® various outputs. ENGINO 's patenting methodology of teaching coding starts with manual programming, moves on to virtual simulation, then to drag& drop flow diagrams and even to textual programming, powered by our KEIRO™ and ENVIRO™ software.

Learning Levels

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Theory

Theory

Score depends on amount of STEM/STEAM theory Even though theory learning is often limited to a sterile, mechanical memorization of textbooks, with ® ENGINO kids are engaged through colorful content enriched with interesting facts about the underlying technology which drives the models of each set.

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Quiz & Activities

Quiz & Activities

Score depends on number and complexity of exercises By solving fun exercises and quizzes, which are included in the educational ® booklet of most ENGINO sets, also available online, kids will be able to challenge their newly acquired knowledge and test what they have learnt!

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Experiments

Experiments

Score depends on number of experiments In order to foster scientific learning in childhood and get kids interested in learning about science, it is crucial to provide them with hands-on activities that they can explore on their own. Many sets incorporate innovative experimental activities that follow inquiry based learning whereby children can discover by themselves the technological or scientific principles relating to the set.

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Open Projects

Open Projects

Score depends on the number and complexity of parts Kids are by nature endowed with inexhaustible imagination and creativity and parents are always looking for ways to enhance and cultivate these ® remarkable qualities. ENGINO system’s inherent design allows easy modification and reconfiguration of the models, empowering kids to engage in open-ended play, allowing them to envision and build their own ideas and not only those proposed by our research team!

STEM SCORE

Build future-ready skills with hands-on STEM learning

  • Cognitive Skills

    Enhance mental processes including attention, memory, and reasoning through engaging activities that challenge and develop thinking capabilities.

  • Problem-Solving Thinking

    Learn to identify, analyze, and solve complex problems using systematic approaches and innovative solutions.

  • Engineering Thinking

    Develop the ability to design, build, and optimize systems while understanding how things work and how to improve them.

  • Scientific Investigation

    Master the scientific method through observation, hypothesis formation, experimentation, and evidence-based conclusions.

  • Computational Thinking & ICT

    Break down complex problems into manageable parts and develop algorithmic thinking alongside digital literacy skills.

  • Design Thinking, Creativity & Innovation

    Foster creative problem-solving, innovative thinking, and user-centered design approaches to create meaningful solutions.

Logical Thinking Problem

Design Thinking 

Innovation & Creativity

Scientific Method  

Customer Reviews

Based on 20 reviews
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Elizabeth Christner

We got this for my grandson’s 11th birthday . He was so excited. He needed something a little more advanced than legos. I would definitely recommend.

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Raymond Floyd

We bought this for our grandson and he builds one thing each day. The next day he takes it apart, carefully stores the parts in the storage box we also bought and then builds something else. His father goes through the technical lessons with him. Sooner or later he will lose interest but after two weeks we feel like we have gotten our full value.

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Babtsia N

Bought for my 8-yo grandson for Christmas. He loved it. Was able to follow directions easily and built several moving parts motorized structures. He was as engaged as I was delighted to see him create something. Wonderful mind-stimulating .....toy?

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JN

These are my 6 year old's favorite toy now. He was outgrowing Legos and my husband found this to try out. This set is challenging, but he has been able to follow the picture instructions very well on his own. We will be buying different versions of this set in the future.

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l3bowsk1

I got this for my 10 year old's birthday, and he loves it! He already had a smaller kit, and with this, he can build nearly any contraption he can imagine. For extra fun, we use a cordless drill to crank the machines at higher speed and stress test them - trust me, it's a blast.

FAQs

What is the appropriate age to play with ENGINO?

The ENGINO system has been tested with children with the association of teachers and the department of Education of the University of Cyprus. It has been found that small models can be built even by 5 years old children. Bigger and complex models are more suited to 8-12 year olds, and our robotics and mega sets are targeting both youngsters and grown-ups as being more hobby items.

What if I lose some parts or manuals? Can I get replacements?

You can buy parts, instructions and books at a very low price from our online shop.

How is the quantity of parts compared to value for money?

Usually construction toys refer to the number of parts contained in a set as an indication of the set's building value. With ENGINO system this reference does not actually apply because the system is unique and the design of the parts allows multiple connectivity in all directions at the same time. As a result, there is no need for intermediate connectors between rods while ENGINO rods are also connectors! The ENGINO system can be described as a combination of the brick system and the spatial "connectors and rod" system. As of that, with ENGINO to build a model you only need around half the parts that you would require with any other conventional system! Furthermore, as ENGINO parts are bigger, the model is also bigger and more manageable. Parts are not easily lost and sets can combine together to create an infinite number of builds. Because the "number of parts" is actually misleading, we have introduced a new term called "connecting points" that indicates how many connections are possible with the particular parts contained in each set.

How many product ranges do you offer?

We offer 14 series that total to 85 products covering a wide range of price, age and choice.

INVENTOR BASIC SERIES- has been developed for maximizing creativity and imagination. In this range many different models can be created from a wide range of themes, from cars to motorbikes, from planes to cranes, from structures to machines, from animals to robots!

INVENTOR PRO SERIES- is the ultimate range and it is more suitable for intermediate and advanced users who literally “play to invent”! The models created with these sets are bigger and more elaborate and also incorporate technical features. The advanced motor included can be powered with the wired remote control, but it is also connectable to the ENGINO Solar panel and the new ENGINO Robotics Platform (ERP).

INVENTOR UPGRADE SERIES- has been created to allow users to expand their existing sets without having to buy the bigger sets at full cost. These lower upgrade sets begin from the 20 models set and cover each step up to 80 models set.

SOLAR POWER SERIES- uses photovoltaic panels to drive the various models and also have hybrid functions, in-line with the latest technological trends. Global warming and climate change has brought to our attention the need to save the planet by reducing carbon emissions.

MEGA STRUCTURES SERIES- demonstrates the ability of ENGINO to build huge models of impressive size and style. The series covers famous structures such as the Eiffel Tower and technological marvels such as the London Eye.

ECO BUILDS SERIES- is based on a new innovation of ENGINO toy system which connects sustainable beech wood with plastic. The use of wood reduces significantly the plastic parts and leads to more efficient recycling making this product an environmental friendly solution.

PICO BUILDS SERIES- is an ideal low cost entry to the award winning ENGINO toy system. With each set children can build a fully functional model with specialized colors to highlight the particular model.

PICO SPINNERS SERIES- is a new range of colorful spinners. Each set contains a special spinner support component, a printed color disk and a library of ENGINO parts. When all 4 sets are combined, 3 models of planes and helicopters can be assembled!

ENGINO ROBOTICS PLATFORM (ERP) is specially designed for younger children and takes into account the most modern pedagogical principles of learning. ERP intellectual development is approached as an upward expanding spiral in which children must constantly reconstruct the ideas formed at earlier levels with new higher order concepts acquired at the next level.

MECHANICAL SCIENCE SERIES- has been developed for schools and individuals who want to combine theory with practice. The series deals with the core subjects of mechanics and simple machines in a fascinating and enjoyable way, leading children to the attainment of knowledge through experiments and hand’s on activities. It also extends to cover other important science subjects such as structures, bridges, Newton’s laws and renewable energy.

How ecological are ENGINO sets?

ENGINO pays much attention to the manufacturing and distribution of ecological products. All products are environmentally friendly because they can be recycled. ENGINO offers solar products where the motor is powered by solar panel instead of batteries. We have also launched the award winning series of Eco Builds which is based on a new innovation of ENGINO toy system connecting sustainable beech wood with plastic parts. The use of wood reduces significantly the plastic parts and leads to more efficient recycling, making this product an environmental friendly solution.