The construction toy aisle has been full of bricks for decades, and that’s not changing anytime soon. What is changing is that in addition to all those classic bricks, kids are being offered new ways to build up anything they can imagine.
Build it… with Magnets!
Rainbow 30Pc Set (Magformers)
The Rainbow 30Pc Set, from Magformers, is the perfect intro to this building line. Kids can use magnetic squares and triangles to build houses, towers, and the “magic ball.” Kids can build the structure, such as the ball, flat in 2-D, then pull up on one piece to snap it together into a 3-D sphere. Each geometric shape contains magnets that click together. Parents can then use the magnets when playtime is over to stack and store. In addition to this popular set, Magformers will introduce tons of new ways to play with Magformers this year, including favorite characters from Shimmer and Shine, sets that feature motors for robots that walk, dinosaur-themed sets, and more.
Magneflex (WowWee)
Magnaflex creative construction kits inspire kids to build anything they want to. These multi-piece kits include flexible magnetic strips in vibrant colors, plus black and white connector pieces. Magnaflex unique shapes and material allow kids to easily bend, zip, connect, and stack the magnetic strips together to create fun and unique designs. The connector pieces add structure to creations and can also be used as decorative accents such as eyes, wheels, and more. Kids can build up 2-D or 3-D creations while developing creativity, visualization, and fine motor skills. When it is time to clean up, Magnaflex strips can be stacked together for easy storage and transport.
Build It… then Fly It!
Build-A-Drone (Odyssey Toys)
Drones are very en vogue in the R/C aisle this year, but what are they doing in this post about construction toys? Odyssey introduces the Build-A-Drone, which lets kids build up their own drone. Kids can use the building block pieces to assemble the structure and then insert motors to fly it. Kids can also add on to their drones with the building bricks they already have at home. Compatible with most major brick building brands, this drone features a powerful enough motor to handle the extra weight, so kids can customize their drone’s look, or send their character figures into flight.
Rotokopter 10 Model Building System (K’NEX)
The K’NEX Rotokopter 10 Model Building System is a new way to control K’NEX creations! With this rotor-powered system, kids can build 10 different models and make them move with the included remote control. Although kids don’t build the quadcopter, they learn how to incorporate it into different builds in order to make each of the builds move in a different way (hello, STEM learning!). A newly designed motor includes four rotor blades that lets kids build a tank, a ship, a car, and even a training tether for the quadcopter to learn how to fly it better. The set is made for kids ages 8 and up.
Build It… and Make Grown-ups Jealous!
Five Nights at Freddy’s Construction Sets (McFarlane Toys)
McFarlane Toys will introduce a line of its construction sets featuring favorite characters and locations from the Five Nights at Freddy’s universe. Five Nights at Freddy’s is a point-and-click survival mystery horror video game that centers on a fictional pizza restaurant called Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza. Players must act as a night security guard, defending themselves from the malfunctioning animatronic characters by tracking their movement through the facility using security cameras. Kids can build up the world of the video game with these sets that feature McFarlane’s unique building pieces, with bricks and pieces that are covered in skins that make the builds look more true-to-life than just like bricks. Once built, these sets can also double as collector’s display pieces.
VEX Robotics BattleBots (HEXBUG)
From the hit TV series BattleBots third season comes buildable versions of Tombstone, the grave maker, and Minotaur, the beastly competitor of mythical proportions. Kids can use STEM-based problem solving skills to build their own version with snap-together VEX IQ pieces. Both products result in a realistic miniaturized version of the robots, so they’re perfect for fans to display.
Build It… and Tell a Story!
Wonderhood Grand Hotel (Wonderhood Toys)
Kids can create endless designs with the deluxe building set, Wonderhood Grand Hotel. Featuring Wonderhood’s favorite aspiring architect, Chelsea, and her brother Erik, this set lets kids design and build with 24 illustrated panels, a colorful staircase, and a working elevator. Kids can read stories and solve design challenges in the included activity journal. This open-ended building set teaches kids the STEM concepts of architectural design and structural engineering. It also boots their creativity by including no step-by-step instructions, so they are free to build however and whatever they please.
Creativity Castle (Build & Imagine)
A building set fit for royalty! Build & Imagine’s Creativity Castle is a building set that features illustrated magnetic panels so that kids can build custom castles that are different each time they play. The set is designed for kids ages 4 and up and comes with 14 magnetic building panels, two wooden characters, two dress-up dolls, and more than 60 magnetic accessories. This set encourages open-ended play and storytelling, and can break down easily and neatly for travel. With the Creativity Castle, kids can build up their own whimsical fairytales.
Build It… and Get Creative!
Liqui Fuze (Play Visions)
Liqui Fuze, from Play Visions, lets kids build and fuse together creations with just water. Use building blocks to design endless creations. Simply wet, set and play! But no worries, it’s not permanent! Once kids want to build again, they can pieces pull apart so they can use them over and over again. Kids can build anything from new creatures to big structures like bridges.
Builder Activity Set (BRIO)
The BRIO Builder Activity Set lets kids explore their own creativity and discover what they can you do with a hammer, a screwdriver, some wheels, nuts, bolts, and a box full of fun components in interesting shapes and sizes. Kids are limited only by their imaginations. Designed to inspire open-ended construction play, this set encourages children to build their own ingenious creations, and features no set instructions. Kids have the freedom to create whatever they can come up with, and rebuild it as many ways as they can.
For more of our favorite picks from the TFNY show floor, click here!
