We all know that little builders are thrilled when they get a Lego kit, but did you know there are a lot of other great ways to stretch the imagination of a visual spatial creator? Other plastic toys and magnet kits provide great opportunities to learn other ways things can go together.
The following are some of the highest rated building kits. Perfect for holiday gift giving!
Zoobs
These very unique building toys have exploded due to popularity. They started with the big 250 piece Zoob bucket, but they have expanded their line to develop unique building kits. Some of the best ones include the Zoob Racer Monster Truck and the Zoob Builder Glow Creatures.
Gears, Gears, Gears!
This colorful set is not only fun to build, but using a battery-operated motor it moves once you get it together. Suitable for young and old, kids will get a lot of great STEM exposure figuring out how to interlock the gears and get things moving! The Gears, Gears, Gears! sets come in multiple sizes.
Mindware Q-Ba-Maze
This award-winning marble run allows kids to build along with the instructions or create their own unique maze. Kits come in small and large sizes depending on the complexity desired. Called a Toy that Teaches, the Q-Ba-Maze will bring your little builder many happy hours of finding ways to make the marbles move.
Engino Structures Sets
If you have a child interested in engineering, the Engino Structures Sets are really the ideal choice. Not only are they fun to build, but they incorporate engineering concepts to help understand how different ways of building can defy the laws of physics.
Magformers
This super fun and colorful magnet toys are easily transportable and can be made into all sorts of configurations. I often use the Magformers for counseling, carrying them around in a small tupperware container. The kids love seeing what new configurations they can make and love to smash them apart when they are done playing. The are indestructible!
Goobi 3D Puzzle Set
Styled based on geometry, it’s super simple to put together the Goobi balls and sticks and create some really unusual geometric creations. Easily transportable in an organized carrying case, this colorful toy is great for builders and geometry lovers.
Zometool
This is the perfect tool for math lovers! Made of sticks and balls with specific hole shapes, kids can build simple and complex geometric shapes. Zometool DNA kit helps students in chemistry create specific molecules.
Thames & Kosmos Robotics
For the future robotics engineer there is nothing more fun than building a robot from scratch. This easy-to-follow kit makes it even more fun because the robot can be controlled by a smart device. Winner of the Parent’s Choice Award, the Thames & Kosmos Robotics kit is the perfect gift for your budding engineer.
Gravitrax Marble Fun
This very unique marble kit takes marble tracks to the next level. With complex organization of paths, multicolored ball and ball-to-ball triggers, your kids will have hours of fun trying different configurations. Gravitrax has a starter set for those who want to try it out, and there are a bunch of Gravitrax add-on sets to grow the fun!
Vex Robotic Kits
From catapults to robotic arms, the Vex Robotic Kits satisfy the engineer and the builder in a kit. There are so many kits, and they function as robots once they are built. What more could a kid ask for?
