Are you looking for the perfect gift for the little builder in your life? Shared below are 30+ incredible toys for kids who like to build, tinker, engineer, and create. From classic block sets to unique building systems, you’re sure to find something that will grow creativity, exercise little hands, and provide hours of open-ended fun. Here are the best building toys for kids!
RELATED: Outdoor Toys for Kids on the Go
The Best Gifts for Builders
I love building toys because they are timeless and grow with kids. Building toys are the most-used, loved, and appreciated toys in our home. Shared below are some of the best!
Basic Building Sets
The best basic block sets for building and stacking.
Melissa & Doug Deluxe Jumbo Cardboard Blocks
A classic preschool toy, large cardboard bricks are perfect for building and creating!
Melissa & Doug 60-Piece Standard Unit Blocks
My boys’ personal favorite, these blocks are heirloom quality and perfect for imaginative play.
Melissa & Doug 100–Piece Wood Blocks Set
If you can imagine it, you can build it with these vibrant wooden blocks!
Alphabet Blocks
A timeless toy, embossed alphabet blocks are fun for building, learning letters, and building fine-motor skills.
For Babies and Toddlers
Often a baby’s first toy, the blocks shared below are perfect for stacking, rattling, and knocking down.
Mega Blocks First Builders
When my boys were toddlers, they enjoyed stacking Mega Blocks into huge towers and knocking them down!
LEGO DUPLO Creative Play All-In-One-Box-of-Fun
Perfect for little hands, LEGO DUPLO stirs the imagination.
HABA Fun with Sounds Wooden Discovery Blocks with Acoustic Sounds
These big blocks are easy for baby to shake and stack and have fun sounds for babies to explore.
Rainbow Stacking Cups
A favorite from my boys’ baby years, these cups stack, roll, and nest! Great for teaching colors!
For Knights and Princesses
A little imagination and the blocks shared below will transport your little one into a magical land of dragons, knights, and princesses!
Plan Toys Fairy Tale Blocks
Little ones will enjoy building fairy tale castles and playing with the princess and her horse-drawn carriage!
Wooden Castle Blocks
My son used to play with these for hours and hours!
Disney Wooden Toys Princess Castle Block Set
Sturdy wooden blocks with everyone’s favorite princesses!
LEGO Creator 3 in 1 Medieval Castle Toy
This LEGO castle toy transforms into various structures, including a tower with a catapult or a bustling marketplace with a water mill, tower, and prison. Versatile and creative for endless play possibilities. One of my son’s favorites!
For Rainbow Lovers
Build and explore color with the vibrant rainbow blocks shared below.
20-piece Guidecraft JR Rainbow Blocks
Perfect for adding vibrant color to block structures, and for exploring color and light.
Magformers Rainbow 30-piece Set
Explore and build with these magnetic rainbow blocks.
Agirlgle Wooden Rainbow Building Blocks Cube Gem Stacking Blocks Toy
Discover colors and shapes in this stunning block set for kids!
Rainbow Stacking Blocks
Colorful arched blocks inspire creativity!
For Architects
Young architects can explore structures and new cultures with the block sets shared below.
HABA Clever Up! Building Wooden Block System
Kids will enjoy bringing their ideas to life as they create buildings, bridges, and more!
Ancient Greek Blocks
Kids will learn how to build a Greek Facade!
HABA Coburg Wooden Blocks
Made from safe, non-toxic beech wood, my favorite aspect of these blocks are the stairs.
KEVA Structures 200 Plank Set
Our absolute favorite! KEVA Planks are a must-have for young builders! My kids enjoyed these all the way up to their teen years!
For LEGO Fans
Older builders are always excited to get their hands on a new box of LEGO bricks!
Creative Brick Box
Colorful LEGO bricks provide endless hours of fun!
LEGO Green Building Plate
A building necessity, stock up on these!
LEGO Creator 3 in 1 Cozy House Building Kit
Kids can build 3 different kinds of houses: a family house, canal house and a lake house!
LEGO My City Apartment Building
Perfect for kids who love realistic play!
More Building Fun
Building toys aren’t limited to blocks. Check out the list shared below for building toys that will knock your kiddo’s socks off!
Hot Wheels Track Builder
Young builders can design and customize their own race and stunt challenges!
236 Piece Marble Run
Build, race, and repeat! This toy keeps my boys busy for HOURS!
Magnetic Tiles
Well-worth the investment, this might just become the most popular toy in your home!
ZOOB 250-piece Building System
A favorite in our playroom, the ZOOB building system is perfect for young engineers.
Interlocking Educational Discs Sets
This bestselling building set is so colorful and inspires creativity!
Learning Resources Gears! Gears! Gears!
Little builders will LOVE making their creations move with these bright, rainbow gears!
Wooden Train Set
My boys are 6 and 8 and still love this train set!
Straw Builders
Perfect for older kids who love to build.
Picasso Tiles
These pastel colored magnetic tiles are so pretty!
Plus-Plus Basic Assortment
The ultimate building toy to bring along to restaurants, this toy provides hours of creative fun. Another one of our favorites!
Brain Flakes 500 Piece Set
Endless designs! Your kids will enjoy making patterns, shapes, flowers, trees, and more!
Bristle Blocks
Bristle Blocks are a classic toy you may remember from your childhood. They have a satisfying texture with soft, interlocking bristles that stick together!
Your Turn
What building toys has your family enjoyed? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
More Gift Guides for Kids
Looking for more great gift ideas? You may also enjoy:
- Our Top Holiday Toys (Ages 3–6)
- Your Guide to the Strongest and Cutest Sand Toys for Kids
- How to Make a Boo Basket
- Sticks and Stones Outdoor Activity Book for Kids
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Originally published November 13, 2014.
Emma says
I’ve been on the search for good gifts for my little builder for Christmas – this list gave me some ideas! Thank you!