If your kids love craft, but the constant supervision required when they are handling sharp scissors means you avoid it more than you’d like, the BeaverBot 2 could completely change the way creative play happens in your home.

What is the BeaverBot 2?

The BeaverBot 2 is a kid-friendly, craft tool that allows kids as young as 4 years old to safely cut cardboard and other craft materials on their own.

The box-shaped unit, which comes in 2 cute designs — Vivy the Bunny or B-Rex the Dino — features a cutting mechanism in the centre that oscillates when it is turned on. On top of this sits a guard (like a helmet) which protects little fingers by preventing them from coming into contact with the cutting arm. So parents get peace of mind and the confidence to say “yes,” to creative play more often, and kids gain the freedom to explore and use their imagination in new and exciting ways.

What Materials Can It Cut?

The BeaverBot 2 can cut through a range of materials, such as corrugated cardboard and shipping boxes (up to 3mm thickness), cardstock, thin fabrics, denim, cellophane and even soft cork board. So kids can work with an assortment of materials and textures to create their artistic masterpieces.

What is Included with the BeaverBot?

The BeaverBot comes with everything you need to get started. In addition to the Vivy or the B-Rex unit you’ll also get:

• 1 x power adapter
• 1 x drilling tool
• 1 x scoring tool
• 1 x cardboard kit

Our Reviewer’s Thoughts After Putting the Vivy BeaverBot 2 to the Test

We invited our reviewer Char and her daughter to trial the BeaverBot 2 and share their honest feedback. 

Before I tell you about our experience with the BeaverBot, I will preface my review by saying that having worked as an early childhood  educator for many years, I am very fussy about the toys we have in our home. Plastic crap that is likely to end up in landfill is out, and toys that grow with the child, promote care for the environment, are educational and/or encourage creativity are very much in!

That said, after learning about the BeaverBot 2 as an educational STEAM toy for kids aged 4 and over, I was thrilled to be given the chance to review one with my 4-year-old daughter. She has a little art and craft table set up in our living room so that she can sit and draw, colour, paint etc whenever the mood strikes, so the idea that I could safely let her cut paper and cardboard too without having to hover over her, really appealed to me.

Although it comes with an easy-to-follow instruction manual, it’s really simple and intuitive to use. My husband helped my daughter unpack it, and like most men, he didn’t read the instructions! Haha! They had it plugged in and ready to go before I could whip the camera out to take photos!

There were some cardboard templates included, and I was really impressed to see how easy it was for my daughter to manoeuvre the cardboard against the blade and follow the lines. Not only did she have a ball using it, but it’s also great for hand-eye coordination.

One of the things I really love about the BeaverBot is how it encourages children to recycle materials from around the home. An empty cereal box or Amazon delivery is no longer rubbish for the bin, it’s an opportunity to make something new.

Another thing that I really rate about the BeaverBot is how all of the cardboard ‘sawdust’ stays off the surface and is collected in a tray underneath. Also, there is a neat little compartment inside where you can store the tools that come with it, so it can be kept neat and tidy.

Not only can I give my daughter more freedom to express herself without fear she is going to cut herself, it also means that I can confidently take my eyes off her for a few moments while she is crafting to fold some washing or load the dishwasher. So, I don’t have to limit when we do cutting crafts to when I have the time to supervise and help. 

One of the most pleasing things to me, aside from the safety aspect, is that it will grow with my daughter. It’s not just a toy for little kids. Our neighbours often pop in for a play, and even the 12-year-old had fun with it. There is also an option to upgrade it with a ProCut Upgrade Kit for senior kids (12+) which allows them to cut through thicker, stiffer materials up to around 5mm. There are also other accessories you can add as your child grows and undertakes more complex craft projects. So, whilst some people have commented that it is expensive, I think when you consider its longevity, it’s definitely the kind of toy that I would consider investing in.

When I review things, I like to be balanced and highlight both the pros and the cons, but I’m struggling to find something I don’t like about it. I guess the only thing that might be a drawback for some people is the noise. Whilst I wouldn’t class it as loud, a child who is particularly sensitive to noise may not be comfortable to use it without wearing headphones. Having said that, some children may find the constant background hum of it while they are crafting soothing and calming. Head to Mums Lounge Instagram page here  to see a video of my daughter using the BeaverBot 2 so that you can hear for yourself.

Anything that gets kids off-screens and using their imaginations gets my vote. But the BeaverBot 2 exceeded my expectations. I give it a resounding 5 out of 5!

Head to the BeaverBot website and discover how you can spark your child’s creativity.

Disclosure: Our reviewer was gifted the BeaverBot 2 for the purpose of providing an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are the reviewers own.