Building and making has been a fun activity for children (and parents) for years, and whilst Lego may be a go-to for many of us, there are lots of different construction toys out there to try. Construction toys can challenge children to be creative and practical, as well as teaching them skills that can be used outside of playtime.
Discover a variety of construction toys for kids that are more than building blocks, and allow them to show off their creativity.
Why should you choose construction toys for your children?
Construction toys are a great way for children to use their imaginations to create out-of-this-world designs. Whether your child wants to create the next rocket to go to space or build their dream home, construction toys can help them to build their dream future.
Most construction toys require logical thinking and dexterity to put pieces together. By building with toys children are learning to develop their fine-motor skills to perform precise movements with their hands, fingers and wrists as they learn to construct their toys.
By learning to play with construction toys, young children are exercising their problem-solving skills, figuring out what pieces go together, how they can create the tallest tower, or why certain materials make certain shapes. Problem-solving skills are something that a child needs to develop for their future and become more independent.
Construction toys can encourage socialisation and team-building, especially with toys like Race to the Finish which encourages children to work together before racing to the finish line.
What construction toys are out there?
At BrightMinds we have a range of Construction Toys that offer different experiences to Lego, allowing your child to exercise their creativity and try new things. But how do you know what construction toy your child may like?
Try thinking about what your child enjoys outside of construction, from clocks and gears to flowers and spiders, there will be a construction toy that works with your child's interests to create the perfect construction kit.
At BrightMinds we have put together a list of the best lego alternative construction toys for your kids to enjoy.
The Best Lego Alternatives at BrightMinds
SmartMax Start
The SmartMax Start is a great introduction to construction toys for young children. Chunky magnetic bars and balls come in a variety of colours that are irresistible to play with. The joys of magnetism attract children as they put the pieces together to create exciting shapes and builds that were made to pull apart again. Chunky, oversized parts were created for little hands to play with safely while they discover the interesting world of magnets and construction.
SmartMax Start is perfect for children aged 1+ to begin their construction journeys, whilst learning fine motor skills.
Learning Resources Build & Bloom Flower Garden Gears Gears Gears
The Learning Resources Build and Bloom Garden is a gears building kit with a creative difference. Construct the flower garden of your dreams with colourful spinning gears, stunning flowers, wiggly stems, beautiful butterflies and buzzing bees.
With instructions that help you to create a magical flower garden, or the creativity to make up your own, all of the pieces are perfect for curious little hands. Don’t let the garden theme stop you, use the gears and pieces to create anything that you can dream of.
Build & Bloom Flower Garden is perfect for children aged 4+ who want to build something beautiful.
Race to the Finish
Build, create and play with Race to the Finish. Use wooden blocks and roads to create your own marble run with Quadrilla’s beginner’s set, perfect for children aged 4 and up. Build the tallest marble run, or create the craziest route to race down, Race to the Finish means you can let your imagination go wild in constructing the ultimate marble race.
Encourage your children to work together to create the ultimate marble race, and see who comes out as the winner.
Melissa and Doug Big Truck Building Set
Get ready to roll with the two-piece Melissa and Doug Big Truck Building Set. Packed with wooden construction pieces and pre-drilled with holes for nails and bolts, the Big Truck Building Set is perfect for building at home or on the go. Connect the brightly painted building boards to create structures on wheels that foster creativity and imaginative play whilst encouraging dexterity and hand-eye coordination. Develop your child’s fine motor skills and problem-solving abilities with this portable truck full of fun toy tools to play with and learn from.
1-2-3 Build It! Robot Factory
Create and build your own robot friends with 1-2-3 Build It! Robot Factory. Learn how to build robots with this build-it-yourself set full of chunky plastic pieces that help to develop fine motor skills. Encourage learning STEM through play as your child creates and tinkers to build the best robot they can possibly imagine, or a full robot squad of all shapes and sizes. The possibilities are endless with this creative build set that has been designed for children aged 2-6.
Learning Resources Gears! Gears! Gears! Beginner’s Building Set
The Learning Resources Gears! Gears! Gears Beginner’s Building Set is perfect for first-time builders. Full of gears, cranks, connectors and base plates, there is no limit to what your little one can make and create.
Build tall towers or interconnecting creations that bring imaginations to life with these colourful, heavy-duty plastic pieces. Refine fine motor skills and learn problem-solving as the pieces start to take shape.
Recommended for children aged 3+ as they start to learn through play.
Want to know more about our best construction toys for kids?
Get in touch if you have any questions about our building and construction toys here at BrightMinds, we’re happy to help. Or check out our Help & FAQs page for more information.
We have a wide range of toys available for learning through play here at BrightMinds, including STEM, Construction, Maths and Arts & Crafts. Explore our online catalogue to see our full range of toys at BrightMinds.
