The Best Magnet Toys
Magnets have provided fascination for generations since they first changed hands between mysterious alchemists thousands of years ago. Today, we can still marvel at the seemingly magical work of this electromagnetic force. And the best way to experience the wonder of magnetism is with your own two hands. These magnetic toys are an excellent introduction to counting and spatial thinking, and they're sure to provide the curious of all ages with a creative challenge. As we searched for the best magnet toys on the market, we had three questions in mind: Are there enough pieces to facilitate constructions large and small? Are the magnets strong enough to hold our work together once we're done? Are the pieces age-appropriate for kids, or is the set geared towards adult learners? We love the elegant and stylish Picasso Tiles that come in a range of sizes to help introduce learning minds to a range of geometric possibilities. These pieces are large and secure, meaning you don't need to worry about choking hazards when introducing them to the youngest aspiring architect. But if you're looking for a more stripped-back design with boundless creative prospects, you'll love the ball and stick sets from Elongdi and Veatree. Read on below to discover the rest of our top picks.
PicassoTiles Magnet Building Tiles
Colorful building blocks
Little architects will love this assorted set of magnetic construction pieces that won’t put a limit on the creative scope of design schematics. The 60 transparent tiles come in a range of vibrant hues and forms to stimulate developing visual minds, encouraging a kinetic involvement with spatial recognition. You can be sure that your patient hours won’t go to waste, thanks to reinforced magnets that hold even bold and unconventional compositions securely in place.
Pros:
- These extra-large tiles mean there’s no risk of choking hazards when introducing this set to young builders from 3 years of age and up.
- If 60 tiles aren’t enough to fulfill your engineering plans, these modular tiles can be easily expanded upon by purchasing additional sets.
- We were pleasantly surprised by the strength of each piece. A durable lattice securing each tile means no loose magnets from drops or inquisitive hands.
Cons:
- The larger shapes only have magnets on the edges instead of their centers, which might limit the plans of some creative builders.
Magblock Magnetic Castle Blocks
Your very own kingdom
Prime your bricks and mortar with this cute 102-piece set of magnetic tiles that are sure to refine the skills of any budding draughtsman. The 24 detailed castle tiles bring medieval magic to this construction set, making this a perfect choice for kids with a taste for fantasy. For parents’ peace of mind, each tile is carefully molded from food-grade ABS plastic with magnets safely secured inside a smooth stainless steel housing. A range of four delicate pastel colors is sure to add depth and vividness to each design.
Pros:
- You’re not limited to architectural inventions with this set. With two smooth wheel axes included, you can also explore the options for terrestrial transport design.
- We love the feeling of these pieces in the hand. The tiles have safe and smooth edges, meaning you don’t have to worry about cuts or scrapes while building and deconstructing.
- A castle design makes this a great choice for kids who love action figures, as they can use this set to build a little fortress for imagined adventures.
Cons:
- The castle pieces may not be for everyone, as they can place limitations on the creation of some abstract designs.
Elongdi Magnetic Building Sticks
The architecture of triangles
This 130 piece set from Elongdi goes back to basics with an elegant dual shape concept offering boundless creative possibilities. The modular potential offered by 100 multicolored magnetic sticks and 30 steel balls makes this a wonderful tool for developing spatial problem-solving skills and geometric recognition. Constructed from odorless, non-toxic plastic, these sticks are safe for even the most inquisitive kids. Super-strong magnets allow you to configure components into an incredible range of shapes, so you can cherish each moment of your hard work.
Pros:
- This set comes with a portable soft storage bag, so you can save space when packing pieces away and easily transport them out of the house.
- These sticks and balls are as equally suited to 2D construction as they are to building larger 3D structures.
- Thanks to the abstract design of these pieces, we found that this set was a great tool for inventing new games and building challenges.
Cons:
- With smaller components than some other options, this set could present a choking hazard to younger kids.
Veatree Magnetic Building Sticks
Reach for the stars
The sky is the limit with this mammoth 308-piece set from Veatree, which enables you to realize even the largest design schematics. With 220 magnetic sticks coming in 10 bold primary colors, there’s scope to create boldly coordinated patterns within your geometric designs. Full-length magnetic bars within each stick give these components an extra-strong hold, meaning you can suspend several pieces from each magnet.
Pros:
- With so many pieces to play with, this set is an ideal option for groups of kids to share.
- A handy drawstring pouch keeps these smaller components safely packed away when not in use.
- These versatile components can be easily integrated with other magnetic toys of other shapes and sizes, such as tile or vehicle shapes.
Cons:
- Even with this many sticks and balls included, we found that the included booklet teased us with designs that couldn’t be constructed using only the content of this set.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do magnets wear down over time?
You don’t have to worry about your magnetic toys losing their strength. Like many forces in the universe, magnetic attraction gradually dies down over time. Magnets that we describe as permanent are made of materials with magnetic domains, in which atoms have an aligned spin. This spin can be altered over time when exposed to interfering electromagnetic forces and heat. Luckily for us, this process plays out over an incredibly large timescale. A modern samarian-cobalt magnet generally takes 700 years or more to lose half of its strength. With this in mind, you’ll get a lifetime of fun out of your magnetic toys.
How many magnetic pieces are recommended per child?
Each young mind will have an individual approach to building with magnets, so there’s no hard-and-fast rule for what sized set will be appropriate. Most of the magnet sets we’ve seen on the market are easily expanded upon by purchasing a duplicate or booster set. So, if in doubt, start small and know that you can easily expand.
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