Continuing our look at some of the upcoming creator sets, today we look at 31163 Playful Cat. This set has 407 pieces and is priced at AUD39.99/USD24.99/€24.99/£19.99. It goes on sale on January 1 2024. This set comes with 3 builds: the playful cat, the puppy, and the pigeon. Let’s take a closer look.
While the panda family focused on black and white elements, the models in this set focus more on white and shades of grey. That said, there are little bursts of color: medium azure, reddish-orange, and flame yellowish-orange. Just as the Creator Panda set featured the 2×2 round curved slope quarter circles in black and white, this set features them in medium stone grey.
The Kitten
We start by creating a few items for the cat to play with: a ball of wool, a dish of food, and a very cute, tiny blue mouse.
From here, we build up the Core of the body, and then start separately on the head of the cat. We have a dark grey stripe down the centre of the head and rings of colour on the tail. I love the use of the ‘bouquet’ stem as whiskers. The read hips include the relatively new 1×2 Technic click hinge – an element that used to measure 3×2 a few years ago.
We add some legs to the back and front – there is no articulation at the knees. I wonder if it will detract from the final model.
We add some paws, using 1×1 curved bricks and tiles to complete the build.
We have our cat. Is it playful? We have a few items for the cat to play with…
The cat is remarkably posable, with front legs, head and tail on ball joints. The hind legs, and ankles only move in one axis. The ears are also able to rotate up and down a few degrees.
I am surprised by just how expressive this particular model is.
From here, we move on to a puppy. The body and hind legs are constructed so the model looks most realistic in a sitting position. The head and areas are suitably expressive, and there is a lot to be said for the print on the eye tile included in this set. I think the bone is a little odd-looking, but this is also an exercise in working with the available elements, and there is no doubt as to what it is intended to be.
Finally, we build a pigeon. There are uncommon subjects in LEGO Sets, with more colourful and ornate birds often getting the glory in these Creator 3in1 sets. However, in a set that is built around shades of grey, it is a natural choice. We use a few of the remaining 1×1 tiles as feed for the pigeon. It has extremely limited movement: literally rotating at the neck, and a couple of mobile tail feathers. Although, if you remove a couple of tiles from the legs, it can lean forward at the ankles. Perhaps not the same as flexing at the hips. This model takes advantage of some of the other colours included in the set, providing a little detail under the chin.
Overall, this set has some engaging and original builds. I love the expressiveness of the cat and dog, despite limited facial variation. The angle of the face and ears conveys a sense of curiosity, playfulness and more. The pigeon has been historically underrepresented and it brought an unexpected sense of joy to put it together, despite relatively limited articulation.
As an 8+ creator three in one set, it offers a couple of appealing models, in the cat and dog, while I suspect the pigeon might have a niche audience. That said, it is one of my favourite models from the set. I’m happy to give this set three point five out of five (3.5/5) Arbitrary Praise units. It’s a great one for kids setting out to build independently and looking to build cute animal forms, rather than trucks and planes.
31163 Playful Cat goes on sale on January 1 2025 (local stores might vary) This set has 407 pieces and is priced at AUD39.99/USD24.99/€24.99/£19.99.
I’d love to know what you think of this set. Is it for you or your kids? Leave your comments below.
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Until Next Time,
Play Well!