What Transformers to buy for pre-teens?

Quick answer: Rescue Bots & Kre-O Transformers.

There are literally hundreds of Transformers out there, with at least six sublines in stores (Bot Shots, Kre-O, Rescue Bots, Prime/Beast Hunters, Generations, Fall of Cybertron, Prime/Dark Energon). I got to admit, it’s rather confusing if you’re not a collector.

So here’s my guide to buying toys for pre-teens – that is, kids who are in Primary 6 or below. I presume you’d be buying them for boys primarily (not that I’m sexist, but not that many girls play with Transformers, though they exist!) so I’ll be addressing the kid in question as “he”. Yes, he might not be your kid, so that makes things even more stressful, doesn’t it?

Rescue Bots (for ages 3 to 7)

I’m afraid there are precious few Transformers available to kids below 3, due to the simple fact that a Transformer, by nature, has many moving parts. The youngest available is Rescue Bots.

There’s both a toyline and a television show for Rescue Bots. The television show website can be viewed here, but I’ll be focusing more on the toys in this post.

The Rescue Bots all feature simple transformations, are made of durable plastic (can stand up to abuse), and have rounded edges (nothing to poke your eye out with). Apart from Bumblebee and Optimus Prime, they all take the form of rescue vehicles, which is a pretty good way to teach your kid what the SCDF does.

The regular Rescue Bots retail for $24.90 in Singapore, but as always, wait for the monthly Metro and OG sales where you can buy them for 20% off!

And of course, there’s a Rescue Bot version of Optimus Prime! Perfect for any kid’s first Optimus Prime.

If you think this Optimus Prime is too big though, there is a smaller version available under the Rescue Bots line.

There’s a smaller Optimus Prime who doesn’t transform, and comes with the kid character in Rescue Bots. Unfortunately he has blonde hair, so no Asian kid will identify. This one retails for $12.90 (if I remember correctly).

For a more comprehensive list of what Rescue Bots are available, take a look at the Hasbro Toyshop’s website before going down to your local departmental store, Kiddy Palace, or Toys R Us to get one for your kid.

And if you’re really willing to splurge…

There’s a larger version of Optimus Prime that comes with a trailer for hauling all his Rescue Bot friends. Retails at $79.90 at my last check.

Give this to the kid who scores a perfect 300 for his PSLE.

Rescue Bots also has some free online games at their website.

Now, on to the next line of Transformers for pre-teens.

Kre-O Transformers (for ages 7 to 14)

If you think it looks like Lego – you’re not wrong! Kre-O is Hasbro’s foray into the construction block segment of the toy market. Even the name, “Kre-O,” evokes images of Lego. The best part is that they’re all compatible, Kre-O and Lego. So don’t worry if buying Kre-O makes your existing Lego obsolete! It only compliments your existing sets.

There’s only a toyline for Kre-O, but they do have a very cute YouTube channel of Kre-O videos.

As you might expect, the largest (now it’s the second largest) set in Kre-O belongs to Optimus Prime, with 542 pieces. If it can keep an adult occupied for 2 hours, it can keep your kid quiet for many, many more hours. As long as he doesn’t swallows the pieces.

The great thing about Kre-O is that they also have Minifigure equivalents, called Kreons – which are compatible with everything Minifigures are compatible with! The Kreons are awfully cute, and I suspect have lead to the success of Kre-O where Built To Rule (their previous construction block line) failed.

Each Kre-O set comes with several Kreons, usually a Transformer Kreon and a human Kreon, and heaps of accessories – helmets, weapons, and other pieces. So there are smaller “humans” to interact with the vehicles that the Transformers transf- can be built as. Your kid will definitely find it cool to see Optimus Prime driving Optimus Prime.

If your kid is an Optimus Prime fan, there are five flavours of Optimus Prime to choose from, all from varying sizes. By size I mean the number of bricks in the set.

Optimus Prime (542 pieces) – As seen in the first picture. The only set to come with trailer.

Beast Blade Optimus Prime (251 pieces) – As seen in the second picture, but comes with a small animal for him to fight. Has a pair of nifty wings, a sword, and a shield.

Battle for Energon (379 pieces) – As seen above, this one comes with a buildable version of Megatron as well. It also some scenery in the form of a bank, to allow your Transformers to fight over.

Optimus Prime, Basic (90 pieces) – As seen below, this one comes with no Kreon. Great for a starter set for kids, but not so great if your kid is into Kreons.

These cannot be found in Lego speciality shops, so don’t try there! Instead, try the usual suspects, Metro and OG, at their 20% off sales!

So what are the benefits of playing with Kre-O? Developing your kid’s

– spatial skills

– math skills

– social skills

– language skills

– creativity and lateral thinking

– dexterity

Check out these two articles for why you should get Kre-O Transformers for your kid!

Toy blocks and construction toys: A guide for the science-minded parent

The Educational Benefit of Legos