Best Construction Sets for Toddlers

For some reason, I really want one of my children to become an architect. It seems like such a cool job that combines both the “right brain,” through the artistic aspects of the job, and the “left brain,” through the mathematical and scientific aspects, to create something both functional and beautiful.

And seeing as I have no artistic or STEM skills myself, I’ll have to live vicariously through my children! That’s what good parents do, right?

Of course I’m kidding, except about how cool architecture is. And while no toy could actually teach my young children the complicated skills needed to become architects in 20 years, there are several types of building toys that can teach them to think with both sides of their brain at once. And that is a very valuable skill, indeed–whether they become architects or not.

What to Look for in Toddler Building Toys

• Easy for little hands to grasp and manipulate. Let’s do all we can to prevent tantrums from a frustrated toddler, am-I-right? They need no encouragement.
• Durable and won’t break easily. Toddlers aren’t exactly gentle with their toys. Which reminds me–you might also want to look for something that doesn’t hurt as much when it’s thrown at your head. Trust me; I speak from (too much) experience.
• Something your child can continue to enjoy as she gets older. The best toys are the kind that grow with your child. They make the cost worth it, and it’s harder to resent them for taking up precious space in your home if they’re constantly being used!

Best Toddler Construction and Building Toys

Product	Features
Plastic Building Blocks
Mega Bloks Read Review	80 blocks Large Easy to use Good for small hands
LEGO DUPLO Spaceship Read Review	23 blocks Includes people Use with other DUPLOs Great quality
Battat Bristle Blocks Read Review	85 pieces Stay together Carrying case Unique bristles
Pretex Building Bricks Read Review	150 blocks Inexpensive 5 colors Compatible with other brands
Kids Adventure Jumbo Blocks Read Review	24 pieces Huge blocks Lightweight Durable
MICHLEY Plastic Builders Blocks Read Review	100 pieces Inexpensive Sturdy No storage box
Wood Blocks/Cardboard/Foam Blocks
Melissa & Doug Wooden Blocks Read Review	100 blocks 9 shapes 4 colors Good quality
Schylling ABC Big Blocks Read Review	48 blocks Teaches letters Fine motor skills Wood storage box
Melissa & Doug Cardboard Blocks Read Review	40 blocks 3 sizes Huge blocks Lightweight
Large Foam Block Set Read Review	12 blocks Foam Huge blocks Safe and fun
Construction Toys
Brickyard Building Set Read Review	163 pieces Great value Includes tools 42 designs
TINKERTOY Building Set Read Review	200 pieces Safe plastic Easy to put together Classic toy
Fat Brain Toys Squigz Read Review	24 pieces 8 shapes Easy to use Unique
Skoolzy Peg Board Set Read Review	30 pegs Fine motor skills Sorting Counting
Learning Resources Gears! Read Review	150 pieces Fun gears Critical thinking Fine motor skills
K’NEX Build A Bunch Set Read Review	66 pieces Part replacement Easy to use Small pieces
Skoolzy Jumbo Nuts and Bolts Read Review	6 pieces Storage bag Hand eye coordination Good for small hands
Clip Connect Plastic Blocks Read Review	100 pieces Bright colors Hand eye coordination Good quality
Magnetic Building Toys
Magnetic Balls and Rods Set Read Review	43 pieces Large pieces Lightweight Bright colors
Play Brainy Magnetic Cars Read Review	42 pieces Cars & magnets Lifetime warranty Storage container
PicassoTiles Read Review	60 pieces Safe materials 5 shapes 5 colors
Guidecraft Grippies Builders Read Review	60 pieces Soft plastic Large pieces Safe materials
Magnetic Building Blocks Read Review	133 pieces 63 magnets Fun accessories Affordable
Goobi Juniors Construction Set Read Review	20 pieces Award winner Large pieces Guarantee

Plastic Building Blocks for Toddlers

Plastic is a good option for young kids. These plastic building blocks for preschoolers and toddlers are safe and fun. You can be sure these blocks are good quality and will last.

1. Mega Bloks

Pros:

• Large blocks are easy for small hands to hold
• Pieces fit together for sturdier constructions
• Blocks grow with your child

Cons:

• Not as many shape possibilities
• Some connections can be loose

These are some of the best building toys for toddlers, as the pieces are large and easy for small hands to grasp. Even the youngest toddlers, who can’t yet build fabulous creations, still enjoy dumping these bright, colorful blocks out on the floor and trying to put them together.

Intended for children ages 1 to 5, these building blocks are fun for young toddlers and preschoolers alike. My 4-year-old daughter has finally reached the stage of building elaborate “cities” with these and incorporating them into her pretend play, while her 2-year-old brother simply enjoys building tall towers and then destroying them.

The set comes with 80 blocks in various shapes, including long and short rectangles, short and tall squares, and different kinds of base pieces to support tall structures. The pieces fit together easily and securely, so kids won’t be frustrated by their creations completely falling apart if they get bumped. The blocks come in a portable zipper bag with a handle, which allows for easy cleanup and storage, not to mention travel possibilities.

2. LEGO DUPLO Spaceship

Pros:

• Includes accessories and Spaceship
• Easy to put pieces together

Con:

• 23 pieces – small amount of pieces

Some children love spaceships and astronauts, so this Lego DUPLO spaceship set would be perfect for any young child that loves space. This LEGO set includes a spaceship, male and female astronauts, a ladder, a radar on a buggy with wheels. The set set measures over 3.5 inches high and 6 inches wide.

This playset can be arranged in a myriad of designs and can be connected to other DUPLO sets for extra fun creativity. The Spaceship opens up and has wheels, so children can truly imagine sitting in the spaceship flying off to space. This LEGO DUPLO set will help children with fine motor skills, open-ended playing skills, and improve the use of their imagination.

3. Battat Bristle Blocks

Pros:

• Very secure connection
• Bristles allow for easy interlocking in any direction
• Blocks grow with your child

Cons:

• Not compatible with old Bristle Block versions
• Can be difficult to fit pieces back in box

These building toys come in several sets of varying sizes, but the 85-piece set is a great choice because it comes with tons of differently shaped blocks as well as eight wheels, four people figures, and a dog. Perfect for imaginative pretend play! The set also includes a nice carrying case for storage, with a handle for easy traveling.

The Bristle Blocks are particularly unique in both look and feel. They are made of a soft, rubbery material with spikey (but soft) bristles on the top that interlock no matter which way you align them. All you have to do is squeeze them together! This makes it so easy for toddlers who are still learning motor skills to connect them without help. The blocks make a very secure connection and won’t come apart easily, which means fewer frustration tantrums.

This set of blocks is compatible with the Spinaroo Bristle Block set, which includes silly faces and spinning bases for even more building fun.

4. Pretex Building Bricks

Pros:

• Compatible with most building block brands
• Storage box with carrying handle

Cons:

• Looser connection than other brands
• Not actually “large”

5. Kids Adventure Jumbo Blocks

Pros:

• Large, lightweight blocks
• Durable, safe materials

Cons:

• Blocks can be hard to take apart
• Hard blocks–be careful if kids like to throw

The Kids Adventure Jumbo Blocks are like giant Legos. Your toddler will have fun making large creations and towers with these huge children’s building blocks.

These lightweight bricks are easy for toddlers to pick up, move around, and stack. Sometimes the bricks are hard to take apart, so your child might need help separating them.

You will find the material is good quality, hard plastic. However, that means if your child likes to throw things, you will want to be careful with potential brick throwing.

6. MICHLEY Plastic Builders Blocks

Pros:

• Affordable
• Strong and sturdy, suitable for repeated use

Cons:

• Provide your own storage compartment since one isn’t included
• The small size is nice for little hands but it is a potential choking hazard

This multi-color 100 piece set allows children to interlock blocks into countless shapes. They can either imitate a design or enjoy the freedom to make their own complex construction. If you’re like me, you’ll find yourself wanting to join the fun! It really is a wonderful way for parents to connect with their kids.

Wood Blocks, Cardboard, and Foam Building Blocks for Toddlers

Wood or cardboard blocks are fun for stacking and are durable. Kids love them and so do parents!

7. Melissa & Doug Wooden Blocks

Pros:

• 4 colors
• 9 shapes
• 100 blocks

Cons:

• Doesn’t come with a storage container
• Small pieces

This is a classic painted wooden building block set. It is great for building towers, castles, or whatever else your child likes to create. With 100 blocks in 4 colors and 9 shapes, this set will keep your child entertained. It provides great exercise in hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills.

The Melissa & Doug Wooden Building Blocks set does not come with a storage container. I prefer using a plastic storage bin for toys like this to keep them organized and easy to store.

Be aware that the pieces in this set are relatively small. They could even be a choking hazard if your child puts the pieces in his mouth.

8. Schylling ABC Big Blocks

Pros:

• Perfect size for little hands
• Teaches alphabet and fine motor skills
• Wood storage box

Cons:

• Paint on blocks can be inconsistent
• Contains only letters (no numbers, shapes, or animals)

This is the iconic wood alphabet block set that has been enjoyed by kids for generations. The blocks are 1 3/4″ square and stack well.

Each side of the block contains a letter, either raised, embossed, and painted or stamped onto the block. With 48 blocks in the set, your toddler can begin learning the alphabet as well as learning to recognize his or her name.

The simplicity of this toy is fantastic. It is a great wooden toy for toddlers as well as older children.

Construction Toys for Toddlers and Preschoolers

Construction toys are excellent STEM toys for young kids. They encourage creativity and promote curiosity as kids learn how things work.

11. Brickyard Engineering Building Set

Pros:

• Great value!
• No-hassle satisfaction guarantee
• Will grow with your child

Cons:

• Doesn’t have all the pieces or instructions needed to make the pictured creations
• Young children will need an adult’s help

If you want your child to learn as they play, this is the toy you’ve been looking for! The open ended play promotes logical thinking and creativity, truly an excellent introduction to STEM education. You’ll be amazed at the many creations they come up with: cars, animals, and robots are among the possibilities! It includes more pieces than similar sets so up to 6 people can play at a time.

This brightly colored set is certified BPA-free so you don’t need to worry about exposing your child to any harmful chemicals. It is easy to wash and cleanup since it comes with a storage box.

The 163-piece set comes with kid-friendly wrenches and screwdrivers as well as a guide outlining 42 suggested designs. This toy will grow with your child, since they can make more advanced, complex designs as they get older.

12. TINKERTOY Building Set

Pros:

• Pieces snap together and don’t fall apart
• Sturdy storage box
• 200 plastic pieces

Cons:

• Painful if pieces are stepped on
• Can be hard for toddlers to take pieces apart

This toy takes me back to my childhood. The wood Tinkertoys of the past are gone, though. These Tinkertoys are plastic, which in my opinion is much better. You won’t get wood splinters from playing with these. Also, the plastic is completely safe. As far as construction toys for boys or girls go, this is a great one.

I like that this set comes with 200 pieces, which is a good amount for toddlers (especially if they are sharing). The set comes with instructions of how to make 30 different creations, but of course creative play is always fun, too.

Your toddler will have no problem putting these Tinkertoy pieces together. However, sometimes the pieces are hard to take apart once they are put together. That can be a bit frustrating for little hands.