The 11 Best Building Toys for Your Construction-Loving Kid

For the child that loves to build tall towers and skyscrapers, the Mega Bloks Big Building Bag is a dream come true. Their larger size makes them easier (and safer) for small hands to grip, stack and build, while the vibrant colors help their creations come alive. The building blocks connect and separate with ease for frustration-free building—and allow your child to move quickly from creation to creation. Plus, when playtime is done, this building blocks toy comes with its own zippered storage bag (pleasing parents everywhere).

Age Rating: 1 to 5 years old | Materials: Plastic | Number of Pieces: 80

Looking for building toys that foster a healthy sense of imagination? The possibilities are endless with Magna-Tiles. This magnetic building toy set comes with a variety of geometric squares and triangles—in a rainbow of colors—to create whatever your child’s heart desires. The shapes connect and separate easily thanks to built-in magnets, making them simple to use (and a breeze to clean up). And while this classic set allows your child to build anything they can dream up, Magna-Tiles also offers themed sets—from dinosaurs to safari animals and construction —to help spark their creativity. But what truly makes Magna-Tiles one of the best building toys for kids is its wide range of appeal: This toy is suitable for ages 3 all the way up to 99.

Age Rating: 3+ years | Materials: MABS plastic | Number of Pieces: 100

Searching for the ultimate building block set for your little one? Look no further than this pick by Lovevery. Based on the principles of neuroscience and Montessori philosophy, this stage-based toy comes with an activity guide that’ll walk you through 20+ learning activities for children between the ages of 18 months and 4 years. The set itself includes building blocks, cylinders, figurines, wheels, planks, threadable blocks with a toggle string, a shape sorter and ramp and other assorted shapes. All of the items mentioned above are made using FSC-certified wood finished with water-based paints. And once playtime’s over everything can be tidied away inside the cotton drawstring bag and storage box.

Age Rating: 18+ months | Materials: Wood | Number of Pieces: 70

A classic wooden block with magnetic connections? That’s a building toy win-win. The Tegu Magnetic Blocks provide a modern update to classic wooden blocks, adding in magnets for better staying power and unique parts for more creative possibilities. The set includes classic rectangular blocks along with cubes, parallelograms and wheels, meaning kids can build vehicles too. Plus, the wooden materials used are eco-friendly and sustainably sourced—and the blocks are made in Tegucigalpa, Honduras (hence the name Tegu) to help provide an economic boost to the country. This is a magnetic building toy that your child will not only have hours of fun with, but you can feel good about purchasing, too.

Age Rating: 12+ months | Materials: Wood and water-based lacquers | Number of Pieces: 42

Looking to foster your child’s STEM skills? Look no further than this SmartMax Start Plus STEM Magnetic Building Set, which allows them to create structures and designs from the oversized bars and balls. Not only does this STEM toy allow your child to build—it also gives them an introduction to the science behind magnets. The cold-colored bars (blue, green and purple) only connect to the warm-colored bars (red, orange and yellow), introducing the concepts of attraction to your toddler. This combination of learning and fun makes this STEM building toy a solid pick.

Age Rating: 12+ months | Materials: N/A | Number of Pieces: 30

For the child that prefers gardening and the outdoors, we’ve got just the building toy for you. This flower building toy from ToyVelt allows your little one to create their own garden while simultaneously learning about different types of flowers. But the educational opportunities don’t stop there. Kids can practice their colors by naming the different hues of flowers, improve their fine motor skills by building their garden and develop spatial awareness through planning out their designs.

Age Rating: 3+ years old | Materials: Plastic | Number of Pieces: 148

It’s hard to go wrong with a set of classic wooden building blocks, like this pick by Melissa & Doug. The set comes with 60 blocks in a variety of shapes and sizes, all made from solid wood, for endless building opportunities. But this wooden building toy also helps to introduce early math concepts, like sorting, shapes and basic fractions. Your little one will be able to fine-tune their hand-eye coordination and practice their patience when their creation inevitably gets knocked down. They’re a classic for a reason, and your children will love these wooden blocks for years to come.

Age Rating: 3 to 8 years old | Materials: Wood | Number of Pieces: 60

Marbles are typically a no-no for toddlers, as the tiny round balls are a potential choking hazard. But the Fat Brain Toys Roll and Bounce Tower allows little ones to experience the thrill of a marble run toy—without the danger that traditional marbles pose. This toddler toy uses oversized balls for safety, so your child can focus on building the tower and watching the balls roll and bounce through the various twists, turns and tunnels. Fun for kids without the worry for adults? That’s a win-win in the play department.

Age Rating: 12+ months | Materials: Plastic | Number of Pieces: 30

Unleash your child’s inner builder with these life-size foam building blocks from Playlearn. Kids can create everything from forts to skyscrapers with this brick set—and if their creation collapses, the soft foam material prevents any boo-boos. These building bricks are safe enough for younger toddlers to play with, but entertaining enough to captivate older children as well.

Age Rating: 3+ months | Materials: Foam | Number of Pieces: 25

Let your little one’s imagination run wild with this classic creative building toy. K’NEX Tinkertoys have been around for decades (this set even features a retro tin for storage purposes), and it’s easy to see why. Children can use the various sticks, gears and other pieces to create whatever their heart desires. If they get stuck for ideas, this set comes with a guide that features 15 different models to build. Endless hours of high-quality play and creativity are in your future if you add these Tinkertoys into the mix. Bonus: Tinkertoys received a seal of approval from Trawick-Smith, as well.

Age Rating: 3+ years | Materials: Plastic | Number of Pieces: 100

Montessori toys are typically made of natural materials, have realistic features and encourage children to explore and discover independently. And the Montessori Woodwerks Nature Blocks check all of the above boxes. Made from solid wood, the individual pieces resemble rocks in nature thanks to their unique angles and shapes. These elements also allow children to experiment with weight and balance, enlist their problem-solving and critical-thinking skills, and—best of all—let their creativity shine. These nature blocks aren’t just a great Montessori building toy; they’re one of the best building toys for kids period.

Age Rating: 3+ years | Materials: Wood | Number of Pieces: 75