KAMIKARA Penguin POP (Old Version)

I'm often impatient and get easily frustrated. But I wanted to give this paper craft as a gift to my son, to interest him in things other than electronic devices. And because this thing looked so cool. I knew I had to make it myself, because my son would never even open the package, much less put it together. After reading some of the reviews, I knew it wouldn't go well for me.And OH MY GOSH was I so wrong! The directions were as clear as could be, it was not at all difficult to put in the rubber bands, and I enjoyed making it the entire time. I kept thinking I was doing something wrong, because I wasn't having the issues like some reviews described. It does require focused attention to the instructions (especially the illustrations), so you give that, you'll get a really cool paper craft. And if you're like me, maybe you'll actually surprise yourself at how well you did it. Sixth star, anyone?

assembles so fun and more fragile than expeted

Bought as a gift, but assembled it myself. It was daunting at first, but easy to do, and overall an enjoyable experience. Recipient loved it (24yo), and couldn't stop playing with it. She proclaimed it the best gift she got.

It was impossible for me to put together when the directions were only one single page written entirely in Japanese. If I'd have known that I never would've ordered something I couldn't put together.

I assembled this while working to help clear my mind. The directions were clear and I only had trouble at the very end when things got a bit tight. I surprised my two-year-old with it and he loved it. I've had to make it flat again many times so that he could throw it on the ground again!

I was prepared to like this product--I was in fact going to assemble one and send it, ready to pop, to a penguin-obsessed granddaughter. The first impression was positive. It's well-printed, the die-cutting was precise--which is important in places where a tab is supposed to fit tightly into a slot. The first impression was that the directions were clear. They weren't. I would estimate that it took me an hour to assemble it. I did it in several sessions, to give myself time to rest when I started to lose patience. When I got done, I saw that I needed to re-do the place where the beaks are attached, because I misinterpreted a diagram and ended up with a pair of tabs pointing out when they need to point in.Inserting the rubber bands was not easy, either. You assemble a hook tool out of cardboard to do it. Even so, it is hard to see what you are doing, it is laparoscopic surgery without a laparoscope.The very first bit you assemble is an important piece called the "stopper." It's not clear at first what it does or how it's supposed to work. It is, in fact, the catch that holds the assembled penguin in the closed, flattened position. It apparently needs to be aligned precisely. At any rate, long story short, I couldn't get it to work. I can squash the penguin flat, and when I let go it pops up. But it is supposed to catch and stay down, popping up only when you drop it.The description says "Perfect for kids birthday gifts, stocking stuffers, party favors, holiday prizes. Nope. You are not going to assemble these as party favors unless you are ready to spend several hours preassembling them, and if you just hand out the kits, there are very few kids that are going to have the patience to assemble one--especially under party conditions.

I sent this to a friend before the quarantine. He's now put it together and taking photos all over his home to keep all of us informed as to what this little penguin is up to. He loves and loved that I sent him something he had to work on. Awesome product and awesome idea!

Despite other's complaints about instructions, I found it easy to assemble. You just have to follow the instructions to the letter and make sure you use the numbering system to assemble the pieces correctly. Also there are 2 rubber bands. One is smaller and goes in the head. The larger one goes in the body. An adult needs to assemble or at least help in the construction. There are also good videos on youtube.The hardest part is the trigger. My first few tries didn't hold. Centering the trigger flap in the head is critical. I ended up removing it and making my own trigger from stiff cardboard and glue. Once you get it to latch it works ok. My 3 year old granddaughter loved it. Her 8 mo old brother laughed every time it popped up. I even bought a greeting card voice player so that each time it pops up it says 'berk, berk.. berk, hello connie! ... berk, berk". Great fun with everyone sitting around the table either dropping it or tapping it on the head with various things.