12 Construction Toys That Any LEGO-Obsessed Child Will Love
They are small, expensive and hurt if you step on them. Yes, I’m talking about LEGO, the building kit that has been sparking creativity in kids and those who refuse to grow up for 75 years, but what you may not realize is that LEGO isn’t the only game in town. In addition to the company’s many imitators, there are other building systems that don’t have a popular movie franchise or theme park behind them. However, they are ideal for different ages and purposes that your child may enjoy. Below are 12 alternative brands that offer young users a creative outlet for their ideas.
K’Nex
The Internet, being what it is, loves to argue about which building set is better – LEGO or K’Nex. The truth is that the system of interlocking plastic rods , connectors, motors and other components is intended (pun intended) more for those interested in engineering than construction, but that hasn’t stopped builders from creating models of the space shuttle and roller coasters since this system has been developed over three decades ago.
Playstix
Judging by the reviews on the product page, kids won’t spend much time using the instructions that come with this colorful slotted construction toy . Despite the Playstix’s unusual shape, users immediately understand how to use them, quickly building everything from cars to houses to furniture, with each piece color-matched to its length. Parents also note in their reviews that Playstix is the perfect toy to calm a child’s restless mind.
King of Mold
LEGO bricks and sets can be very expensive. Most of the sets my 8 year old wants will take years to save up for his pocket money. However, there are alternatives. Mold King is a Chinese brand that makes sets similar to building bricks from Denmark… almost. They also cost significantly less. While the AT-AT walker from The Empire Strikes Back costs a pretty penny from LEGO , the nearly identical Mold King set costs more than two-thirds less, and most reviewers say it’s good value for money. However, some builders in the comments strongly disagree with this, so when assembling the kits, have some glue on hand if you want to keep them intact.
Bristle blocks
Designed for toddlers and preschoolers, these colorful chunky blocks are perfect for developing brains craving stimulation. I never thought much of them when I saw them at my kid’s preschool, but when I look at what kids have built on the product page on Amazon , they may be the most underrated STEM toy on the market.
Plus Plus
Sometimes children don’t want to be told what to build. They’ll have to figure it out themselves by creating puzzle-piece-shaped Plus Plus sets, suitable for children trying to bring their imagination to life. Children will learn how to build 3D structures and creatures on their own. They’re also portable, so you can take them with you on your trip to LEGOLAND.
Magformers
These construction sets are very similar to Magntiles, another construction set that parents of preschoolers are no doubt familiar with. However, the size of the parts and the placement of the magnets in Magformers make it much easier to create 3D designs than in Magnatiles.
Mega Blox
Whether your child will want Mega Bloks from Mattel depends on what they are into. LEGO has the rights to Super Mario , but Mega Bloks has Pokemon and Halo building sets. For preschoolers , if your little one loves Thomas the Tank Engine , Mega Bloks has a variety of sets too. Fisher-Price also makes them, so there are plenty of cool accessories available for your child’s building sets, such as construction sets.
Superspace
It’s not easy to find a place to sit in my living room on a Saturday morning because my sons take every sofa and chair cushion in sight and use them to build a fort. Superspace solves this problem with their extra-large magnetic felt panels that allow kids to create structures that don’t fall apart easily. Think about the giant Magformers that keep kids occupied while you watch basketball highlights.
Vange
LEGO architecture sets are one of the reasons children’s building blocks resonate with adults. However, if the cost of building your favorite structure seems high to you, you can always purchase a similar set from Wange. They have decorations based on London Bridge or the White House at a more reasonable price than their Danish counterparts.
Lincoln Logs
There’s no better school than an old school, and nothing older than this building, built over a century ago and designed by the son of American architect Frank Lloyd Wright. The fact that your child’s great-great-grandfather also played with Lincoln Logs says a lot about how this simple toy has stood the test of time, even as interlocking plastic blocks began to capture the imagination of children around the world.
Kobe
My eldest son is currently obsessed with all things historical, so Kobe’s historical planes, tanks and planes kits are perfect for his next building project. They also offer Maseratis, historic trains, and several aircraft from the hit movie Top Gun: Maverick .
Tinkertoys
Tinkertoys are arguably the original STEAM toy, and they’re perfect for preschoolers who just want to build something fun with their hands. Older kids who may not be ready for K’Nex can build a robot or other creature by mixing and matching rods, spools and connectors.