Toy Insider Senior Editor/Toy Book Deputy Editor James Zahn joined Parents magazine Contributing Editor Brianne Manz to show off the best toys for the little architect on your holiday shopping list. For more on the items featured in this segment, check out the product notes below, and for the complete rundown of the best toys of the holiday season, be sure to check our complete Toy Insider Holiday Gift Guide.  

MAGFORMERS CARNIVAL PLUS 48PC SET

This upgraded carnival-themed set features new ride accessories and figures; a sturdy crosshatch base to attach character figures; and hexagon clip-on panels that spin vertically and horizontally. This upgraded carnival-themed set features new ride accessories and figures; a sturdy crosshatch base to attach character figures; and hexagon clip-on panels that spin vertically and horizontally.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $79.99
  • Age:
  • 3+

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LEGO DUPLO CREATIVE PLAY NUMBER TRAIN — LEARN TO COUNT

Toddlers can load and unload the number bricks, line them up in the correct order, and stack them together into a number wall. The train set features moving wheels, an opening roof, and multiple LEGO Duplo figures. Toddlers can load and unload the number bricks, line them up in the correct order, and stack them…

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $19.99
  • Age:
  • 18 MOS+

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NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC 100-PIECE MAKEWAY MAGNETIC MARBLE RUN

Turn any magnetic surface into a marble run racetrack with this 100-piece, vertical-mount construction set. Includes a detailed marble run guide with track-building puzzles and challenges. Turn any magnetic surface into a marble run racetrack with this 100-piece, vertical-mount construction set. Includes a detailed marble run guide with track-building puzzles and challenges.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $49.99
  • Age:
  • 8+

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SMARTIVITY PINBALL MACHINE

This kit contains everything kids need to build a fully functional pinball machine. It also features easy-to-understand, illustrated instructions complete with experiments to help kids learn STEM concepts. This kit contains everything kids need to build a fully functional pinball machine. It also features easy-to-understand, illustrated instructions complete with experiments to help kids learn STEM…

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $49.99
  • Age:
  • 8+

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HEXMODS PRO SERIES ELITE RACEWAY

This set comes with a hobby-grade, R/C tuner car chassis with thousands of mod combinations, including hoods, bumpers, an LED underglow, and more. Kids can build a track configuration with more than 20 feet of connectable barrier and race up to 18 mph. This set comes with a hobby-grade, R/C tuner car chassis with thousands…

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $89.99; $129.99 CAD
  • Age:
  • 14+

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CANDY CLAW MACHINE

Build a working model of the classic arcade game. Learn how the gears, levers, belt, screws, hydraulics, linkages, cranks, and claws work together to pick up, move, and drop prizes. Includes 10 lollipops and decoys to grab. Build a working model of the classic arcade game. Learn how the gears, levers, belt, screws, hydraulics, linkages,…

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $39.95; $56 CAD
  • Age:
  • 6+

Buy Now

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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.

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