Looking for some great toys that will keep energetic kids occupied for hours on end? Toy Insider Senior Editor Ali Mierzejewski stopped by Western Mass News to show off some great do-it-yourself toys that are great for budding engineers, designers, and even bakers. For more on the items featured in this segment, check out the product notes below, and for our complete rundown of the best gifts for the holidays, check out our complete holiday gift guide.


Tile Blox Rainbow 104Pc Set (Magformers)

  • Kids can become the ultimate builder with 104 different magnetic pieces.
  • They can design houses, rocket ships, animals, and more with six different shapes and various colors.
  • This set comes with with 24 equilateral triangles, 44 squares, four trapezoids, eight rectangles, 12 right-angle triangles, and 12 isosceles triangles.
  • Age: 3+
  • MSRP: $139.99
  • Available: Amazon, Nordstrom, Target, Toys “R” Us, Walmart

HEXBUG VEX ROBOTICS BATTLEBOTS MINOTAUR/TOMBSTONE (HEXBUG)

  • Directly from the BattleBots TV show comes Minotaur and Tombstone, beastly competitors of mythical proportions. Kids can build their own version of these battling robots.
  • Snap-together pieces teach hands-on problem-solving skills and result in a highly realistic, miniaturized version of the fan-favorite robots.
  • Each sold separately.
  • Ages: 8+
  • MSRP: $39.99
  • Available: Amazon, Target, Toys “R” Us, HEXBUG.com

GEMMIES SPARKLE LOOM (BASIC FUN)

  • Expanding the Gemmies line, the Gemmies Sparkle Loom is a new craft activity that lets kids create 3-D objects and wearables out of TPR bands and Crystals on a Loom.
  • With an endless amount of possibilities, creating vibrant and unique accessories to wear, and creations to showcase, has never been this much fun.
  • Ages: 6+
  • MSRP: $19.99
  • Available: Target, Toys “R” Us

WHIPPLE STARTER SET (EPOCH EVERLASTING PLAY)

  • Squeeze, decorate and display with Whipple.
  • The Whipple Deluxe sets offer endless hours of creating collectibles to wear and share.
  • Design up to 13 different keepsakes including rings, key chains, and more.
  • Whip the cream into elegant designs, and decorate with beads and rhinestones for creations that kids can wear and share.
  • Ages: 7+
  • MSRP: $29.99
  • Availability: Amazon

3DOODLER CREATE 3D PRINTING PEN (3DOODLER)

  • The newest model from the maker of the world’s first 3-D printing pen is the slimmest, lightest, strongest 3Doodler yet.
  • Enhanced design, easy to manage, and improved drive system for quieter and smoother operation. Latest features also include simplified and intuitive controls, and a new ambient light bar.
  • The 3Doodler Create extrudes heated plastic, which instantly hardens, allowing you to literally draw in 3-D, freehand or on paper. Draw vertically or horizontally and change colors quickly and easily.
  • More than 75 plastic colors are available in flexy, matte, gloss, clear, glow, or sparkle materials.
  • Ages: 14+
  • MSRP: $99.99
  • Available: Amazon, Target, Toys “R” Us, Walmart

Antsy Pants Build and Play Vehicles (Antsy Pants)

  • Each Build and Play Kit contains everything kids need to build their own vehicle.
  • These sets are made with durable Snap and Click poles and connectors to ensure your structure stays strong and durable.
  • Color-coded poles and connectors help guide through assembly.
  • Available vehicles include a train, a 4 x 4, a school bus, a fire truck, a pickup truck, and a construction vehicle.
  • Encourages imaginative and active play
  • Ages: 4+
  • MSRP: $49.99
  • Available: Target

About the author

Bill Reese

Bill Reese

Bill Reese is Business Operations Manager at Adventure Media & Events, where he's worked since 2014. A former editor at Playbill and graduate of SUNY–Purchase, he spends most weekends rooting for the New York Red Bulls pro soccer team and making subway systems out of Brio trains with his little boy Jonah.

archivearrow-chevron-downarrow-chevron-left-greyarrow-chevron-leftarrow-chevron-rightarrow-fatarrow-left-blackarrow-left-whitearrow-right-blackarrow-rightarrow-roundedbookscalendarcaret-downclose-whiteclosedocumenteditorial-archiveeyefacebook-squarefacebookfilesgifthamburgerheadinghearthomeinstagram-squareinstagramlatestlinkedin-squarelinkedinmailmedia-inquiresmessagenewsopen-boxpagination-leftpagination-rightpauseplayprintproduct-archiverecent-productssearchsharesort-filterspotifysunteamtiktoktime_purpletimetrendingtvtwitter-squaretwitteryoutube