(Written by William)
A currently available freebie at the Online LEGO Shop is the #30688 LEGO Creator 3-in-1 Tropical Toucan with purchases of $40 or more (this offer expires on September 1st or while supplies last). But there is another LEGO Creator 3-in-1 set with the same tropical bird, the #31173 LEGO Creator 3-in-1 Wild Animals: Tropical Toucan. While the freebie is a 59-piece set, the full version comes with 225 pieces.
In recent years, it has seemed like the LEGO Creator line has significantly improved its game in terms of build quality. I’ve especially been impressed with the various Wild Animals sets. Gone are the days of goofy-looking creatures that are made to represent their real-life counterpart in a crude way. With smaller joint connectors and a wider range of colors from LEGO Technic, we are seeing models that function as tasteful display pieces for adult fans and collectors while still remaining functional toys.
The sad thing is that whenever LEGO markets sets for adults, the price goes up. So, it is a rather nice surprise to see this set for only $17.99 MSRP. The question is: can it measure up to its pricier siblings?
LEGO TROPICAL TOUCAN – POINTS OF ARTICULATION
To start, let’s go over how the toucan can be posed. Each foot has two front talons that can move up and down, which makes it look like it is grasping its perch. Under each foot is a pinhole that lets the bird securely stand on the thin perch. LEGO designers used two half-pin half-axles for the holes in the feet to rest on, so there is some wobbling. As for the legs, the next joint is up on the body, allowing the bird to do the splits. If you want to change the direction of the feet, that will require rebuilding.
Moving up to the wings and the tail feathers, you get more dramatic movement options. The two tail feathers are clipped onto the back of the body so they can move up and down. The bars they are attached to are on modified rounded plates, which allow you to split the tail feathers farther apart or closer together. As for the side wings, each is connected using a small ball-joint, which allows for swiveling and tilting, making it the most expressive part of the model.
Finally, there is the massive beak. The larger top half of the beak is connected in part using a locking finger-hinge. However, it is locked in with a tile at the top of the bird’s head. Only the bottom section of the beak is meant to move. This part of the beak does have a jumper-plate, which allows it to hold various items, like the slice of watermelon you build with the set.
LEGO TROPICAL TOUCAN – FINAL THOUGHTS
The set offers more than just the toucan. I just like to focus on the featured model since it is often the one that is designed the best. But I admit that having either a fish model or a butterfly with a flower does add to the set’s overall potential. As for the toucan, I think it’s a decent model. I did find it to be a bit of an abbreviated building experience with only three numbered bagged steps, and each step not that heavy on parts. It may not feel like enough for a hardcore builder.
That’s why I think this is probably a great set for someone new to the LEGO hobby. It doesn’t break the bank at its price point while still being a good representation of LEGO’s artistic side. Kids will likely have more fun having multiple models to build, thus extending their play experience. It’s an affordable entry-level set in LEGO’s Creator line that can be built in a single sitting. There’s not enough here to say that it makes a great parts pack, but some of the parts are in some nice, vivid colors. Overall, I feel that it’s worth the price, as long as you don’t expect too much. In the video below, I talk about the set in a bit more detail.
If you would like to check out the set as well as other LEGO Creator sets with alternate builds, visit the LEGO Creator section of the Online LEGO Shop.
What do you think? How do you like the LEGO Creator animals? And what do you think of the Toucan? Feel free to share and discuss in the comment section below!
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That’s an interesting choice for the color of the beak. But I like it!