The Top 5 Building Toys

Building toys have all kinds of benefits for children. From helping to improving their motor skills and spatial reasoning to developing collaborative play and language skills, to inspiring creative thinking and logical reasoning — encouraging your kids to play with toys at a young age can have great benefits for them in the long run. Here, we've gathered our favorite building kits to stimulate your child's imagination. Whether you have a toddler, a teenager, or a whole classroom of little ones, these toys will keep them occupied for hours of screen-free, educational playtime.

VIAHART Brain Flakes 500 Piece Interlocking Plastic Disc Set

Every jar of brain flakes is filled with opportunity. Your child will quickly learn how to link them together to create all kinds of fun designs — plus, the kit includes an instruction booklet that will show you how to create different designs. This set is good for all ages. If you have very small children who are still putting pieces in their mouths, make sure to supervise them while they play.

Pros:

Great for developing spatial skills and critical thinking
Great for individuals and groups
Comes with a 90 day warranty

Cons:

Small pieces require adult supervision

STEM Learning Toys for Creative Construction Engineering by IQ Builder

With 164 pieces, this kit has everything you need to flex your mechanical and scientific muscles. Use it as a practical way to demonstrate physics, mathematics, and geometry in the classroom: or gift it to your child as a great way to encourage their critical thinking skills. The set includes three booklets for beginner, intermediate, and advanced projects.

Pros:

Supports basic and complex learning
Great for educational play or classroom demonstrations
All pieces are lead and BPA-free

Cons:

Instructions may be difficult to follow

163 Piece STEM Toy Kit for Educational Construction Creative Play

From Brickyard Building Blocks comes this kit that grows with you. With special designs that are created to boost hand-eye coordination, encourage fine motor skill development, and challenge logical thinking, these toys can be configured in all sorts of ways. Use it alone or with a group.

Pros:

Pieces are easy to clean and come in a storage box
Comes with kid-friendly tools for assembly
Great for imaginative play

Cons:

Plastic pieces may break under pressure

K’NEX Construction Education Toy with 35 Models and 480 Pieces

Snap, fit, and you’re done. That’s the classic method of K’NEX. It’s been around for ages, and your kids are sure to love exercising their creative muscles to snap and create all kinds of interactive toys. From automobiles to full-on buildings and amusement park rides, this building set has endless opportunities.

Pros:

Durable plastic pieces are easy to fit together
Kit comes with a treasure chest for storage
Great for kids ages 7 and up

Cons:

Not ideal for children under 7, due to small pieces

Tinkertoy 30 Model Super Building Set

From the beloved maker of classic toy construction sets comes this brightly colored building kit. With a simple array of sticks, spools, rods, and end caps, the pieces can be arranged to create all kinds of wonderful models. Let your little ones use their imagination, or use the instruction manual to guide older kids.

Pros:

All pieces are made in a zero-waste facility
Great for children ages 3-15
Durable pieces won’t break easily

Cons:

Pieces may not be compatible with old Tinkertoy sets

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I encourage my child to play with building toys?

Play is one of the best ways for children to learn, and educational toys such as building blocks and construction kits can reinforce concepts your children are learning in school. For young kids, toys can improve their imaginative skills, social growth, and language. For older kids, building toys can teach them about gravity, balance, geometry, engineering, mathematics, and more.

At what age should a child start playing with building toys?

Children as young as 18 months possess the motor skills to play with building blocks, and these toys can be instrumental in developing their spatial skills and hand-eye coordination. Just make sure that you always supervise your young ones, and look for building sets that don’t contain small pieces.

What do children learn from building together?

Playing with other children can help them to connect socially and to be curious in their activities. They’ll be able to practice problem solving, communicating with language, and working collaboratively on a team — all through the medium of fun, interactive play.