The best building toys for kids come in all shapes, sizes, and difficulty levels! I am a huge advocate of blocks for all ages. I was even featured in Parent’s Magazine for my love of DUPLO!
That being said, some of the best blocks are not so obvious. They aren’t LEGO, DUPLO, or even MagnaTiles (although I love all of these toys dearly). Building is one of the [11 TOY CATEGORIES] in our [TOY ROTATION SYSTEM] and it’s one that I absolutely love hunting down new and innovative ideas for š§±
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What Actually Counts as a Building Toy
A building toy is anything a kid connects, stacks, or fits together to make a structure, and then, just as importantly, takes apart again. You’ll notice that many of my recommended toys in this category don’t look like blocks at all!
Building toys let kids create whatever they want (or follow a building guide for a [CLOSE ENDED PLAY ACTIVITY]. As kids get older, blocks tend to get smaller (I’m looking at you tiny LEGOs hiding in my carpets š), but LEGO and K’Nex don’t have to be the end-of-the-line building sets for your kids.
Should Girls Play With Blocks?
YES! Just like I belive boys should play with baby dolls, and girls should play with monster trucks! Toys should not be gendered.
The toy aisles do a good job trying to tell us otherwise, making the “boy toys” dark blue and black with scary figures. And the “girl toys,” pink and purple with lots of hair and accessories.
But allowing our girls to play with blocks helps them discover passions like building, construction, engineering, science, and more! Let’s make playtime less about what the toy looks like and more about how the toy can help our kids grow š±.
Best Blocks for Babies (0-12 Months)
ā ļø Choking Hazards: Did you know? A choking hazard is any object that can fit entirely inside a toilet paper tube? There are so many blocks (even some like DUPLO that are marketed toward young children) that are choking hazards. Make sure to read the age recommendation from the manufacturer, always supervise young children while playing, and keep your little one away from choking hazards until they are no longer putting things in their mouth.
Fat Brain PipSquigz
We never owned this jumbo baby version, but my kiddos LOVED the regular Squigz, and these provide so much sensory input for babies, they had to make the list.
- FUN LITTLE SUCKERS! – Fat Brain Squigz toys are innovative suction toys that stick to each other and most flat surfaces, then pull apart with a POP. Sized for tots, this 6-piece pipSquigz set is a larger, chunkier version, each with fun shapes, textures, and bold colors.
- SAFELY DESIGNED – BPA-free silicone baby toys are easy for little hands to grasp, encouraging creative play. Dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning, they won't leave residue on your tables or windows, and make soothing teething toys.
- BABY FIDGET TOY SENSORY STIMULATION – Fat Brain baby toys encourage the development of motor skills, hand-eye coordination, visual thinking, and concentration. Featuring cool, textured surfaces, the unique pieces rattle when shaken.
- VERSATILE AND PORTABLE – Fun baby bath toys, pipSquigz are also a great baby high chair toy, handy baby airplane travel accessories, and an amusing car window toy. Each baby toy stores neatly in the included zippered case.
- AWARD-WINNING GIFT IDEA – An ASTRA Best Toys for Kids Award winner, this pipSquigz combo makes an awesome birthday, holiday or baby shower present for ages 6 months and up.
Mega Bloks First Builders Building Bag
These were the first building blocks we owned and our kids will still play with them (even though we've graduated to LEGOs!).
- PERFECT FIT FOR LITTLE HANDS: Easy to grip, stack and pull apart, our blocks are designed for little hands
- FIRST BLOCKS IN HOME: Features 150 big building blocks including special shapes
- CREATIVE LEARNING PLAY: TODDLERS can build anything they imagine and learn colors
B. Toys Elemenoqueeze Soft Blocks Learning Set
Fun and squishy to build and chew.
- Every block is an educational and sensory experience
- Each one features a letter of the alphabet, as well as a different animal for every letter!
- Learning Toy: Build your masterpieces, improve your motor skills, and learn the alphabet along the way with these soft unit blocks.
- Play Any Way: Nibble on them, toss them in the tub, play with them wherever you want!
Infantino Press & Stay Sensory Blocks
These blocks are easy to stick together because of the bristles. They are great for sensory play with the bristles too.
- PRESS, STACK & STAY: When little builders have big ideas, Press & Stay blocks make it easier to bring them to life.
- The interlocking pattern connects without perfect alignment, so children can press the blocks together, pull them apart, and keep building with less frustration
- DISCOVERY THEY CAN FEEL: High contrast colors and interesting textures give little hands more to explore. Pressing, connecting, stacking, and separating the sensory blocks encourages hands-on discovery through every build
The Best Giant Blocks for Kids
When it comes to toddlers, bigger is always better. So it’s so no surprise when they have an opportunity to play with big blocks, they are happy as clams š.
Nugget The Original Play Couch
Our friends have a Nugget couch and the kids love to build forts, make slides, secret hideouts, and just jump around on piles of cushions.
ECR4Kids make great quality blocks that we've played with at our gym, the library, and even our local science center!
ECR4Kids SoftZone Big Foam Building Blocks
Kids love soft play (with foam building blocks and large cushions). Mine play with these at the gym, the library, and science center.
- Developmental Play: Brightly colored jumbo blocks encourage little ones to identify colors and stimulate imagination, creativity, dexterity, and spatial reasoning abilities
- Certified Safe: This latex-free block playset is UL GREENGUARD Gold Certified for low VOCs, CPSIA compliant, adheres to CAL TB 117 requirements, and constructed with CertiPUR-US Certified foam
- Product Dimensions: Large block measures 16in L u00d7 16in W u00d7 8in H; medium block measures 16in L u00d7 8in W u00d7 8in H; cube measures 8in L u00d7 8in W u00d7 8in H; Adult Active Engaged & Direct Supervision Required
ECR4Kids SoftZone Brainy Puzzle Set
ECR4Kids SoftZone Single Tunnel Climber
Kids love soft play (with foam building blocks and large cushions). Mine play with these at the gym, the library, and science center.
ECR4Kids SoftZone Traversing Trio
ECR4Kids SoftZone Climb and Crawl Playset
Kids love soft play (with foam building blocks and large cushions). Mine play with these at the gym, the library, and science center.
- Activity Playset: Five big, soft foam blocks for toddlers to use as they develop agility and improve important motor skills in a playroom or classroom; a thoughtful gift for birthdays or holidays.
- Motor Development: Assemble a fun beginner climber by connecting large square and ramp with stay-put fasteners; little adventurers will gain confidence while crawling and climbing across the pieces.
- Durable Materials: Dense foam core is covered in soft vegan leather; platform, wedge and half-moon shapes feature a non-slip base for stability.
- Certified Safe: This latex-free indoor play set is UL GREENGUARD Gold Certified for low VOCs, CPSIA compliant, adheres to CAL TB 117 requirements, and constructed with CertiPUR-US Certified foam.
- Product Dimensions: Platform 40in L x 16in W x 8in H; half-moon 16in L x 16in W x 8in H; rectangle 16in L x 8in W x 8in H; cylinder 16in L x 8in D; Adult Active Engaged & Direct Supervision Required.
ECR4Kids SoftZone Soft Builder Blocks
Kids love soft play (with foam building blocks and large cushions). Mine play with these at the gym, the library, and science center.
- Unit-Style Building Blocks : 16-piece set of colorful soft foam blocks that can help develop children's vocabulary, boost creativity, and introduce concepts like sorting, weight, height, and gravity
- Collaborative Play: Children can explore, create and use their imaginations together as they invent scenarios, stories, and games, developing problem-solving skills along the way.
- Durable Design : The dense foam core is covered in soft vegan leather that is resistant to wear and tear for frequent use; easy carry lightweight shapes fall safely when knocked over
- Certified Safe : These latex-free blocks are UL GREENGUARD Gold Certified for low VOCs, CPSIA compliant, adhere to CAL TB 117 requirements, and are constructed with CertiPUR-US Certified foam
- Product Dimensions : Cube measures 5.5in W x 5.5in D x 5.5in H; platform 11in W x 11in D x 5.5in H; Adult Active Engaged & Direct Supervision Required
Melissa & Doug Standard Unit Solid Wood Building Blocks
We play with these at the library. Kids have to learn to build without blocks that stick together (like LEGO, Duplo, or Mega Bloks). It's a different building process and sparks a lot of creativity.
- Build, Stack & Imagine: Create towers, bridges, roads, and cozy u201chomesu201d for their favorite toddler toys, to practice balancing, sorting, and freestyle construction for open-ended, screen-free play
- Classic Montessori Toys: Includes 60 natural-finish unit blocks in multiple shapes & sizes, precisely cut from smooth hardwood & packed in a portable wooden toy storage tray for quick & easy cleanup
- Supports Developmental Learning: Strengthens fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination & shape recognition, with preschool learning activities that foster early math concepts like counting, sorting & comparing
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Kids Fort Building Kit
We have built forts, rockets, cars, caves, houses… You name it. These versatile sticks have also turned my kiddos into helicopters, fire fighters, and magicians with wands.
- BUILD THE COOLEST FORTS EVER – With 135 pieces, kids can build forts that are nothing less than epic! This fort building kit makes it easy to build an indoor fort with endless configurations. It's perfect for creative building and play!
- DURABLE, PREMIUM-QUALITY COMPONENTS – Sturdy poles in two different lengths work with the Flex-Tech hubs to create a number of dynamic structures, with 6 included clips that make it easy to cover the fort with a sheet or blanket (not included).
- HIGH-QUALITY EDUCATIONAL TOYS – We're proud to make the highest quality hands-on science toys, and all our products are backed by exceptional service. If your experience is less than stellar, let us know and we'll make things right!
National Geographic Kids Jumbo Foam Blocks
These remind me of classic wooden unit blocks, but in a softer foam style.
- JUMBO FOAM BLOCKS FOR TODDLERS u2013 This 30-piece set features extra-large, lightweight foam blocks that are soft, safe, and easy for small hands to stack, build, and knock down.
- BRIGHT COLORS, FUN SHAPES & HANDS-ON LEARNING u2013 Kids can explore and create with colorful blocks in multiple shapes and sizes, encouraging open-ended play while supporting creativity, spatial reasoning, motor development, and early STEM learning.
- WASHABLE & DURABLE DESIGN u2013 Parents will love how easy these blocks are to clean! Each foam piece is washable and holds up easily to energetic, everyday play from preschool-aged kids.
- INCLUDES PLAY & LEARN CARDS u2013 Comes with 4 Play & Learn activity cards full of ideas that help preschoolers build early skills in language, math, creativity, and problem-solving through tactile play.
- EASY STORAGE & CLEANUP u2013 Includes a closable storage bag to keep all the jumbo foam blocks organized, portable, and ready for play at home or on the go.
Best Building Blocks for Toddlers & Preschoolers
We love these blocks for little ones ages 2-4. These little ones can still be quite curious with their mouthes, so always make sure that any toy that is a choking hazard is only played with with supervision.
LEGO DUPLO Classic Cars and Trucks Brick Box 10439
Even though we've graduated to regular LEGO at my house, my kids still love playing with Duplo!
- Educational STEM toy for vehicle-loving preschoolers aged 18 months and up u2013 The Cars and Trucks Brick Box playset comes with an assortment of bricks and pieces to set toddlersu2019 creative cogs in motion
- Car toy playset with lots in the box u2013 Firing toddlersu2019 imaginations to create fun 4-wheeled adventures, this creative toy includes 3 wheelbases, 1-2-3 bricks, 2 child figures and a bee figure
Fat Brain Toys Squigz Starter Set
I have so many fond memories of playing with Squigz when my kids were younger. We'd build things, stick them to windows, and even stick to our foreheads.
- Squigz will stick to virtually any flat surface
- Leaves no residue
- Push them together then pop them apart
- Always up for playful experimentation and defying gravity
Blockables are a new line from Melissa & Doug that we have gifted and heard nothing but good things about!
Melissa & Doug Blockables Farm & Farm Friends 2-Pack Bundle Set
We've gifted tons of Melissa & Doug Blockables and our friends have nothing but glowing reviews! Create the scenes on the box, or use your own imagination!
- This 2-pack Blockables bundle includes the 57-piece Farm Play Set and the 16-piece Farm Friends Play Set, each with solid wood blocks, connectors, felt pieces, play figures, and illustrated instructions; build animals, equipment, unique creations
- Blockables are designed to promote and support important developmental benefits: They encourage fine motor, problem-solving, and matching skills, introduce storytelling, and help build self-esteem as kids build and create their own toys again and again
Melissa & Doug Blockables Rescue City Wooden Building Toy Set
I really wish these were around when my kids were smaller, I think they would have loved them! They are super interactive (moreso than traditional building blocks) and let you make the scenes on the box or create your own. Everyone we've gifted them to loves them!
- Blockables City Deluxe Play Set includes sturdy storage bin with reversible play lid, 51 wooden blocks, 58 connectors, felt traffic arm and felt car wash flaps with built-in connectors, 4 play figures, 12 wheels, recycle truck arm, fire engine ladder, and illustrated instructions for 9 builds
- Like all Melissa & Doug toys, Blockables are designed to promote and support important developmental benefits for kids: Fine motor, problem-solving, matching skills, storytelling, and self-esteem as kids build and create their own toys again and again
Melissa & Doug Blockables Dinosaur Wooden Building Block Toy Set
These are new toys since my kids were at the right age, but we've gifted tons of these to friends and the love them! The blocks are easy to snap together and they make great pretend play scenes or let you mix and match to create new characters.
- Dinosaur Play Set Includes 33 blocks, 29 connectors, 5 felt pieces with built-in connectors, 2 arm connectors, and illustrated instructions for putting together a T-rex, apatosaurus, pterodactyl, plesiosaurus, triceratops, stegosaurus, a volcano, and more
- Like all Melissa & Doug toys, Blockables are designed to promote and support important developmental benefits for kids: They encourage fine motor, problem-solving, and matching skills, introduce storytelling, and help build self-esteem as kids build and create their own toys again and again
Fisher-Proce Wood Stacking Shapes
Balancing blocks are great practice for kids to learn about loading, balance, coordination, and of course… gravity!
- u200bMontessori toy that helps strengthen concentration, fine motor skills, and hand-eye coordination for ages 2 years and older as toddlers and kids grasp, stack, and build different structures
- u200bFosters spatial awareness and problem-solving skills as kids discover how different shapes fit together and balance atop each other
- u200bExclusive tip card! Includes guided play tips from the child development experts at the Fisher-Price Play Lab
Blockaroo Magnetic Foam Building Blocks
Sometimes I don't know who loves some of our toys more, me or my kids! These are foam, magnetic, and they rotate! What could be more fun?! The only downside is we've seen some rusting after years of use.
- EASIEST BUILDING SYSTEM FOR YOUNG LEARNERS – Blockaroo Blocks are a new way to build. Our patent-pending foam magnetic blocks click together like magic, rotate 360-degrees, and always attract to each other, creating a multi-sensory experience that your kids will love!
- A STEM TOY THAT GROWS WITH YOUR CHILD – It's never too early to introduce your child to early learning STEM toys. Blockaroo Builders give your toddler the chance to explore shapes, colors, and frustration-free stacking with soft foam blocks that are safe, easy to handle, and connect like magic. Preschool age kids will love them too as they develop engineering and creative thinking skills.
- MAKE BATH TIME FUN, EDUCATIONAL, & HASSLE FREE – Blockaroo builders float in the water, making them the most versatile STEM toy ever created! These non-toxic and incredibly durable blocks make bath time a creative and fun space where kids can get clean while their imaginations set sail. Parents love how Blockaroo builders entertain their kids while bathing, changing bath time from a struggle to an experience kids look forward too!
Tinkertoy – Retro Building Set Tin
My kids made so many creations with these Tinker Toys. They are big, so they make big builds, and big fun!
- 15 Building Ideas: Unleash your creativity as you assemble 15 different builds! Use the easy-to-follow instructions to assemble your creations, or let your imagination run wild as you build anything you can imagine.
- Includes 85 Pieces: This set comes with 85 pieces, giving your little one everything they need for endless fun and construction opportunities!
- STEAM Building Set: The TINKERTOY Retro Building Set Tin improves your child's learning through STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts & math) concepts.
Melissa & Doug Wooden Construction Building Set
We loved these so much that we had to buy a second set (for more pieces!). I love that the case comes with design ideas, and my kids spent hours building their own creations.
- Includes 12 bolts, 8 nuts, 16 building boards, 6 blocks, screwdriver, and storage box; illustrated building guides show how to create a crane, motorcycle, airplane, and race car
- Storage box is predrilled so it can become part of a structure too;
- Promotes counting, sorting, and fine motor skills; encourages problem solving and constructive play
DIY Flower Garden Building Toy
I love this twist on classic blocks, especially for children who don't gravitate toward the traditional block shapes.
- Easy to Clean & Organize: Comes with a box to organize. All parts can be washed with water. It also could be washed in a dish washer.
- Educational Toys: Learning about the parts of a plant. Bright, colorful STEM garden toys help hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills
- Creative Development:This build a bouquet craft kits allow young children to build, match and sort. They can mix and match pieces to create different flowers.
Battat Bristle Blocks
These blocks are great for following the patterns and designs (close-ended play) or making your own creations (open-ended play). They stick together really easily, so kids won't get frustrated trying to piece them together.
- Building Blocks: Featuring soft, interlocking bristles that stick together at almost any angle, Bristle Blocks are designed for easy assembly!
- 80-piece Set: This set includes building blocks, toy characters, and functional wheels u2013 everything your toddler needs to create!
- Developmental Toy: Kids can get creative, build fine motor skills, and improve their concentration as they play!
- Storage Included: All the pieces fit neatly inside the handy jar for convenient storage.
BRIO World Lift & Load Warehouse Set
We love trains at my house! The are great for building tracks, understanding hills and valleys, and more! They are pricey, so try and find them second-hand to grow your collection without breaking the bank.
- Timeless Keepsake: Built to last, this enduring wooden toy train accessory will ignite your child's imagination and foster creativity through engaging play.
- Effortless Compatibility: Expand your child's imagination with this versatile elevator, vehicles, and wooden tracks.
- Planet-Friendly Choice: Made from sustainable materials and thoughtfully designed, these wooden train and railway sets and accessories support responsible forestry. They're easy to clean and a durable choice for parents who value quality.
- Unmatched Safety Assurance: all BRIO products undergo over 1,000 safety tests each year to ensure they exceed safety standards.
PicassoTiles Magnetic Cubes
Our boys love magnetic cubes for building… And who doesn't love the satisfying clicks of the magnets between blocks!?
- MAGNETIC PUZZLE CUBES CREATIVE PLAY: This PicassoTiles magnetic cube set features hidden magnetized connectors, letting kids build endless designs while sharpening problem-solving, fine motor skills, and critical thinking.
- SAFE, EVERYDAY PLAY MATERIALS: Made from BPA-free, non-toxic materials, these magnetic block toys are built for safe, everyday hands-on play, giving parents peace of mind during solo or group building sessions.
- VERSATILE 2D AND 3D BUILDING: These magnetic cube blocks connect from any side for true 3D building versatility, and the included idea book with 50+ designs helps kids build animals, airplanes, dinosaurs, and more.
- AGE-APPROPRIATE SKILL BUILDING: Perfect for preschool and kindergarten kids ages 3 and up, these magnetic blocks for kids build geometry, counting, and structural engineering skills through open-ended STEAM play.
Clixo Itsy Pack
This is a new toy that we've had limited experience playing with (we're already invested heavily in Duplo, LEGO, K'Nex, and MagnaTiles). But has a super-cool premise: build three-dimensional shapes using magnetic discs.
- SPARK IMAGINATION & CREATIVITY: Flexible shapes and secure magnetic connections, kids can click, snap, fold, and flex their way to endless creative builds.
- BUILD MORE WITH LESS
- PORTABLE & TRAVEL-FRIENDLY
- FUN LEARNING THROUGH STEAM: Introducing core STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) concepts, Clixo fosters fine motor skills, spatial reasoning, and problem-solving through open-ended play.
National Geographic Kids Junior Marble Run
We love marble runs, and I wish something like this would have existed when my kids were 2. This lets kids experiment with building tracks and watching marbles, without the choking hazard.
- MADE FOR TODDLERS & PRESCHOOLERS u2013 This junior marble run is designed for ages 2+, using jumbo pieces and kid-safe balls so young children can safely enjoy classic marble run and ball drop play.
- 35-PIECE BALL DROP BUILDING SET u2013 Includes 33 jumbo construction pieces and 2 child-safe balls for building colorful ball drop tracks and marble run mazes sized just right for little hands.
- WATCH BALLS DROP, ROLL & RACE u2013 Kids send balls dropping, rolling, and tumbling through their mazes, discovering cause & effect while experimenting with speed, gravity, and direction.
- INCLUDES PLAY & LEARN ACTIVITY CARDS u2013 Comes with 4 Play & Learn Cards filled with toddler- and preschool-friendly building ideas that inspire creativity and early problem solving.
The Best Blocks for Older Kids
These blocks are for kids ages 4 and up. Some are quite challenging and incorporate [FINE MOTOR SKILLS] and [STEM].
LEGO Classic Medium Creative Brick Box 10696
We chose this kit specifically for all of the wheels it came with! Who doesn't like building moving things?!
- Endless Builds – This creative toy for boys and girls includes windows, toy eyes, 18 tires and toy wheel rims that can be placed on a green baseplate for kids to role-play; plus the container can be used as toy storage
- Imaginative Play – Kids can use their imagination, picking an assortment of bricks to bring to life any building toy they want with these colorful toys, fostering kids' playtime and building creativity throughout the process
K'NEX – Click & Construct Value Building Set
K'Nex are a fun take on blocks. My 6 year old has no problem creating with them; however, the closures can be tricky so it may be too advanced for some.
- Create pre-made designs following instructions (close-ended)
- Create your own designs (open-ended)
Educational Insights Circuit Explorer
When kids come to my house to play, this is the toy they want to play with!
- SIMPLE CIRCUITS, BIG IMAGINATION! Learn the fundamentals of circuitry, off the board and out of this world!
- STEM ACTIVITIES – MAKE THE CONNECTION: System-ready pieces light up when kids follow the symbols and connect the vehicle's circuits
- BLAST OFF INTO STEM LEARNING: Keep them connecting on their own with safe circuits kids can build themselves
- EVERYTHING YOU NEED to build a Deluxe Base Station with Towers, Spinning Diner Sign, Planetarium with color-changing dome light, Voice Synthesizer Station with 10 space sounds, Communication Station with rotating Radar Dish, a Powered Space Rover and a freewheeling Space Rover both with light-up headlights; Base, Dome Light, Voice Synthesizer, Communication Station, and Space Rovers require 3 AAA batteries each, not included.
Educational Insights Design & Drill Marble Maze
We can never decide, what's more fun? Building the maze with the working drills and screws? Or seeing if the marbles make it through the track?!
- Working drill and screws to assemble the mazes
- Guide book with example mazes (close-ended play), or make your own design (open-ended)
- Drill has forward and reverse motions
Learning Resources Gears Building & Bloom Building Set
I love a block set that's geared (pun intended š) toward girls. These blocks combine gears with flowers for endless creative possibilities.
- SPARKS STEM LEARNING THROUGH FLOWER-THEMED BUILDING: Kids connect interlocking gears, petals, and garden pieces to explore motion, simple mechanics, and hands-on STEM concepts
- PERFECT FOR SPRING-THEMED PLAY & CREATIVE ACTIVITIES: Great for imaginative garden building, toddler playtime, preschool centers, or learning activities at home
- DESIGNED FOR KIDS AGES 4+ WHO LOVE FLOWERS & BUILDING TOYS: Ideal for girls, boys, and young builders who enjoy colorful, creative construction sets
- USED TO BUILD FINE MOTOR & PROBLEM-SOLVING SKILLS: Children snap, stack, and arrange pieces to design moving floral displays that help strengthen coordination and spatial reasoning
Learning Resources Gears! Gears! Gears! Mashines in Motion
We've built a lot of simple machines with our Learning Resources gear sets over the years.
- BUILDS EARLY ENGINEERING SKILLS: Hands-on building play helps kids explore STEM concepts as they design and build moving machines using colorful interlocking gears
- SUPPORTS CREATIVE MACHINE PLAY: Kids can build and rebuild different machines that spin and turn, encouraging creative problem solving and open-ended construction play
- DESIGNED FOR KIDS AGES 5+: Made for kids five year old and up with durable, easy-to-connect gear pieces that support confident building and early learning
- STRENGTHENS MOTOR & THINKING SKILLS: Connecting, turning, and aligning gears helps build fine motor control, hand-eye coordination, and cause-and-effect understanding
Snap Circuits STEM Electronics Kit
These kits might be a little advanced for a 6 year old, and definitely need supervision (the circuits use electricity). But my oldest looooooves experimenting with circuit building. We have several Snap Circuit kits.
National Geographic Motorized Marble Run
We love marble runs and have bought all kinds. This one is particularly fun with the motorized marble eleveator to create an infinite loop.
- MOTORIZED LIFT FOR ENDLESS RUNS – Features a motorized lift that carries your marbles up almost 20 inches and drop them onto the track! Create a perpetual motion machine that continuously takes your marbles back to the top to launch again!
- COMPATIBLE WITH NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MARBLE RUNS – Expand any National Geographic Glow-in-the-Dark Marble Run with this kit! All pieces, including the spiral lift, work seamlessly with existing sets (non-magnetic), so you can create even bigger runs!
- LEARN WITH NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC – With National Geographic STEM toys, learning is always part of the fun! The included Learning Guide contains fascinating facts about physics, motion, and more! It also contains tips for building amazing marble runs!
Why Building Toys are Great for Quiet Time
Building toys are great for so many developmental reasons (like problem-solving, engineering, creativity, fine motor skills, gross motor skills, and more!).
But one of the reasons why I love blocks is because there is the building process and there is the playing process. The building process is obvious, but the playing process is where kids can actually play with their creations:
- Think watching marbles run down a track.
- Using their fort to play house.
- Riding their trains around tracks.
- Using their Mini Figs to play in their LEGO sets.
- Watering their imaginary block garden.
And the list could go on and on!
So blocks and building toys are the perfect toys for [QUIET TIME] because they have two separate processes (read: more time spent playing).
Blocks also have a ton of of replay value: they can be built and played with in new ways each time. So they are almost always on my [TOY ROTATION SHELF].
ā ļø Again, blocks are one of those toys that I do worry about with little kids and choking. So if your little one is playing blocks during [INDEPENDENT PLAY] or [QUIET TIME] make sure they are supervised.
Frequently Asked Questions
Stacking large, soft-edged pieces starts around 12 to 18 months, but the exploring can start as early as infancy as long as they are not choking hazards. True building, where a kid has a plan before they start, usually shows up closer to 2.5 to 3. DUPLO or Mega Bloks are the right entry point either way.
Not better, different. LEGO is one specific building system, and a great one, but a kid who only ever uses one connector type is only practicing one kind of spatial thinking. Mixing in magnetic tiles, connectors, or plain wood blocks covers ground LEGO alone does not.
Blocks are one type of building toy, the stacking kind. Building toys is the wider category that also includes connectors, magnetic tiles, gear sets, and marble runs, anything a kid assembles into a structure and then takes apart again.
Yes. Spatial reasoning, cause and effect, basic engineering concepts like balance and load, these are real STEM foundations and building play is one of the more direct ways young kids practice them.
Completely normal, and usually comes first developmentally. The crash is its own kind of physics lesson, cause and effect at full volume. Building interest tends to show up once knocking down stops being novel on its own. If your little one is obsessed with knocking over, try some giant blocks for even more fun!
As someone who owns at least 20 building sets (likely more if I’m being honest with myself)… I’m probably not the right person to ask! But I would think a variety of different types: stacking (LEGOS), connecting (K’Nex), magnetic (MagnaTiles), wooden (trains & blocks) is better than having 10 varieties of the same set.
For the full 11-category framework this fits into, the toy rotation guide walks through the whole system. š
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