My Quick Take: The Meccano Junior Police Station Chase is more than a building kit—it’s a complete “story in a box.” Designed for kids 5 and up, it brilliantly combines the fun of building with the excitement of a classic cops-and-robbers chase. With easy-to-use parts, two cars, and a station with working garage doors, it’s one of the best S.T.E.M. playsets for sparking imagination and developing key skills.
Build the Action: My Deep Dive into the Meccano Junior Police Station Chase
Hey builders, Jerrel Jackson here. Some building sets are about creating a perfect model to put on a shelf. Others are about the story. The Meccano Junior Police Station Chase is all about the story. It’s the classic, high-octane tale of a speeding getaway car and a heroic police pursuit, but with a brilliant twist: you get to build the entire scene yourself.
This S.T.E.M. kit from the Meccano Junior line is designed to do two things perfectly: introduce young kids (ages 5+) to the joy of real construction and then provide an incredible playset to bring their creations to life. It’s a fantastic concept that bridges the gap between building and imaginative play. I was excited to see how well it works. Can one box truly deliver both a great building experience and an epic adventure? Let’s turn on the sirens and find out.
The Precinct Workshop: What’s in the Box?
Opening the Police Station Chase set is like getting the keys to your own little city block. It’s packed with colorful, chunky parts that are inviting for young builders. Everything is designed to be frustration-free and get kids building and playing as quickly as possible.
- 156 Meccano Junior Parts: A great collection of easy-to-handle plastic beams, plates, and specialty pieces like wheels, car chassis, and the all-important garage doors.
- Two Car Chassis: This is a key feature. The set includes two pre-built chassis bases, allowing kids to quickly construct the police car and the getaway car without getting bogged down in complex underpinnings.
- Two Real Tools: The kit comes with the kid-friendly Meccano Junior wrench and screwdriver. They’re designed for small hands but work like the real thing, teaching valuable coordination.
- Easy-Lock Nuts: The genius of the Junior line continues here. The nuts snap onto the parts, holding them in place so kids can focus on turning the bolts.
- Sticker Sheet & Instructions: A sheet of police-themed stickers adds the finishing touches, and the clear, picture-based instructions make building the station and cars a breeze.
This set is a fantastic example of a complete playset. Unlike kits where you can only build one thing at a time, this one gives you all the pieces to build the entire scene—the station, the police car, and the getaway car—all at once.
Building the Scene: The Station and the Cars
The building process is broken down into manageable, rewarding stages. Kids can start with the police station, a fun structure that introduces them to creating walls and a roof. The highlight is installing the working garage doors. Seeing them slide up and down smoothly is a great mechanical payoff and a key feature for the story that’s about to unfold.
Next up are the cars. Thanks to the included chassis, these are quick and satisfying builds. Kids get to construct the bodywork on top of the base, customizing the police cruiser and the slick red sports car. This is a clever design choice, as it gives them the pride of building the cars themselves while ensuring they have two sturdy, rolling vehicles ready for action in no time. Applying the police decals is the final step that brings the whole scene to life. As kids connect the pieces, they’re strengthening hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, and problem-solving skills, all while exercising their imagination!
See the High-Speed Pursuit in Action!
It’s one thing to talk about a car chase, but it’s another to see it! This video gives you a great look at the finished playset and the kind of imaginative stories kids can create once they’ve finished building.
The World of Playsets: Meccano Junior vs. The Competition
The Police Station Chase is a true “build and play” experience. How does this S.T.E.M.-focused approach to playsets compare to other popular options for kids aged 5 and up?
Meccano Junior Police Chase
- Focus: Building & Storytelling
- Experience: Hands-on S.T.E.M. Construction
- Key Feature: Kids build the entire playset
- Learning: Mechanics, tool use, imagination.
Best for: Kids who want the satisfaction of building their toys before they play with them.
LEGO City Police Station
- Focus: Detailed Scenes & Minifigures
- Experience: Brick-based construction
- Key Feature: Minifigure-driven storytelling
- Learning: Following instructions, creativity.
Best for: Kids who love the LEGO ecosystem and character-based imaginative play.
Playmobil Police Station
- Focus: Immediate Imaginative Play
- Experience: Minimal assembly
- Key Feature: Highly detailed figures & accessories
- Learning: Social skills, storytelling.
Best for: Kids who want to jump straight into storytelling with ready-to-go figures and environments.
What makes the Meccano Junior set unique is its emphasis on the *act of creation*. While LEGO City also involves building, the Meccano system of nuts, bolts, and tools provides a more direct lesson in mechanical engineering. Unlike Playmobil, where the world is largely pre-built, this set gives a child the immense pride of knowing they constructed the entire scene themselves before the first chase even begins.
BUILD THE LAW. CHASE THE ACTION. BE THE HERO.
Don’t just give a toy car. Don’t just give a building. Give a whole world of adventure that your child builds from the ground up! This is the ultimate screen-free activity that combines the focus of engineering with the thrill of a Hollywood car chase. It’s a confidence-booster, a skill-builder, and an epic story waiting to happen.
The getaway car is warming up. Are you ready to join the pursuit?
Start Your Adventure – Buy Now!The Breakdown: The Pros and Cons of the Pursuit
Why It’s a Great Choice
- Complete Playset in One Box: Build the station and both cars simultaneously.
- Excellent Play Value: The “cops and robbers” theme offers endless story potential.
- Perfect for Young Kids: Easy-to-use parts and tools are designed for ages 5+.
- Teaches Real S.T.E.M. Skills: A fun, hands-on introduction to engineering and mechanics.
- Builds Confidence: Kids get a huge sense of accomplishment from building their own toys.
Things to Keep in Mind
- Plastic Construction: As a Junior set, it uses durable plastic instead of classic metal.
- Simple Builds: The designs are intentionally simple for the target age group.
- No Minifigures: The play is focused on the vehicles and the station itself.
My Final Verdict: Who Should Get the Police Station Chase?
The Meccano Junior Police Station Chase is a fantastic fusion of construction and imagination. It successfully delivers on its promise of being a “story in a box.” It’s a well-designed, engaging, and educational toy that provides hours of fun, both during the build and long after.
This is the perfect gift for a child aged 5 to 8 who loves action-packed stories and is ready to move beyond simple building blocks. It’s for the parent who wants a toy that will engage their child’s mind and hands. It’s an ideal introduction to the world of S.T.E.M. that feels entirely like play. For a young builder ready to construct their own adventures, this set is a surefire hit and a great stepping stone to more advanced kits like the Meccano 10-in-1 Racing Vehicles set. It proudly carries on the Meccano legacy, a history you can explore on the official Meccano Wikipedia page.