Which is the best building toy for kids: Magnet tiles or Lego?

by Joost Nusselder Updated on: March 8, 2023

Magnet tiles have been the most popular toy in recent years. But how does that compare to the most popular construction toys of all time: Lego?

For example, with Lego you can make great structures and practice with spatial orientation. But with magnetic tiles you can also make beautiful shapes and also practice with spatial orientation. Magnet tiles are a lot bigger for large structures while Lego is more precise.

In this article I will tell you all about the differences, why both are actually so much fun and why it works so well for your child's development.

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Why building toys are so much fun

Why building toys are so much fun

Building toys are extremely popular with children of all ages. Whether you're a little researcher or a big fan of mega builds, building toys offer something for everyone. Below is a list of reasons why construction toys are so much fun.

Coordination and cognitive development

By means of construction toys, children can playfully practice their fine and gross motor skills. In addition, they can learn and develop mathematical concepts and patterns. Building structures also requires learning spatial orientation and understanding proportions. All this contributes to the cognitive development of children.

Versatile and durable

Building toys often last a long time and are suitable for many ages. It's fun to play alone, but also to build with others. In addition, there are many fun sets available for toddlers and children of all ages. The toys are available in beautifully colorful and transparent colors and can easily be linked together by means of magnets.

Motor skills and thinking

Building toys are especially suitable for practicing the motor skills of toddlers and children. In addition, it offers the opportunity to stimulate children's thinking. By building structures, children are stimulated to use their imagination and their creativity to express.

Versatile sets

There are a number of fun sets available for toddlers and kids of all ages. These sets contain colorful shapes that can be combined to create the most fun structures. In addition, there are also sets available that are especially suitable for practicing the motor skills of toddlers.

Magnetic construction toys

Magnetic construction toys are incredibly versatile and fun. It is easy to use and children can make the most beautiful structures with it. In addition, the magnets are nice and strong and do not break easily. It is an accessible way to let children work on their motor skills and their spatial orientation.

In short, construction toys are great fun and offer many benefits for children's development. It's a wonderful way to stimulate children's imagination and let them learn through play.

What can you do with magnetic tiles?

What can you do with magnetic tiles?

Magnet tiles (the best brands reviewed here) are fantastic toys for children from a young age. They are made of flat plastic tiles with several magnets incorporated. This allows children to make different shapes and let their imagination and creativity run wild. But what else can you do with magnetic tiles?

Strengthens spatial and motor skills

Magnet tiles are not only fun, but also educational. They strengthen a child's spatial and motor skills in a playful way. By making the different shapes, children practice their fine and gross motor skills. In addition, they can create patterns and practice mathematical concepts.

Unlimited Possibilities

With magnetic tiles, the possibilities are completely unlimited. Children can let their imagination run wild and make the most fantastic creations. From a beautiful flamingo to a complete castle, the possibilities are endless.

From what age are magnetic tiles suitable?

Magnet tiles are suitable for children from the age of three. It is important to make sure that younger children regularly put things in their mouths and that magnets can be dangerous if swallowed. So always make sure you supervise and check the products for damage.

Educational and fun

Magnet tiles are not only fun, but also educational. Researchers have found several reasons why magnet tiles are good for children's development. Below is a summary of the main reasons:

• Strengthens spatial and motor skills
• Practice math concepts and patterns
• Stimulates cognitive development
• Improves coordination
• Learning through play

Safety is paramount

Although magnet tiles are fantastic toys, it is important to pay attention to safety. Magnets can lead to potentially life-threatening situations if swallowed. So always make sure you supervise and check the products for damage. Also read the hazards and related information on the packaging.

What can you do with Lego?

Playful practice of mathematical concepts and patterns

Lego is not only fun to play with, but it's also a great way to playfully practice math concepts and patterns. Kids can learn about geometry, counting, sorting and making patterns through building with Lego.

Development of coordination, cognitive and fine and gross motor skills

Building with Lego helps develop children's coordination, cognitive, and fine and gross motor skills. Building with small pieces of Lego requires precision and concentration, while building larger structures stimulates gross motor skills.

Extensive color palette and beautiful colors

Lego has an extensive color palette and the colors are beautiful and colorful. Kids can let their creativity run wild and make their own unique creations using the many colours.

Fun for all ages

Lego is fun for all ages. There are sets for children from 1,5 years old (Duplo) to sets for adults. Even if you think you're too old for Lego, you'll find it's still fun to play with.

Durable and long lasting

Lego is durable and lasts a long time. It is made of high-quality plastic and can take a beating. Even if a set falls apart, you can rebuild it and enjoy it again.

Versatile and extensive sets

Lego has many different sets, from small sets to mega sets. There are sets based on movies, television series, comic books and much more. There are also sets that are specifically aimed at technical building or creative building projects.

Are magnetic tiles good for development?

If you are looking for toys that are good for your child's development, then magnetic tiles are definitely worth considering. Below we list reasons why magnetic tiles are good for the development of every child.

Through the years

Magnetic tiles are suitable for many ages. Even small researchers can start building simple structures. As children get older, they can create increasingly elaborate structures. Magnetic tiles also last a long time and are durable, so that children can enjoy them for a long time.

Beautiful and colorful toys

Magnet tiles are not only fun to play with, but also beautiful to look at. The beautiful colors and transparent tiles make building extra fun. In addition, there are so many different magnetic tiles available that there is something for every child.

Tips and own experiences

As a big fan of magnetic tiles, I can give so many great tips about playing with this versatile toy. Below I give some tips and my own experiences:

• Magnetic tiles can also be combined with other magnetic toys, such as magnetic blocks or dominoes.
• Let children use their own creativity when building their constructions. In this way they learn to develop their own ideas in a playful way.
• Magnet tiles are not cheap, but they are definitely worth it. The toys last a long time and children can enjoy them for years to come.
• Make sure that children do not handle the tiles too roughly. It can break quickly if played with too hard.

All in all, magnetic tiles are incredibly versatile and fun toys that are good for the development of every child.

Is Lego good for development?

Challenge and necessary skills

Lego offers a challenge that children need to develop their skills. It's not just a matter of putting building blocks together, it's also about making decisions and solving problems. Children must use their spatial sense to assemble models and use their creativity to build their own models.

Suitable for different age groups

Lego has sets suitable for different age groups, from small children to adults. For the little ones, there are Duplo blocks that are easy to grip and contain no small parts. For seven-year-olds, there are sets such as Creator and City that offer more challenge and further develop their skills.

Challenging sets and budget options

Lego also has sets that offer more of a challenge, such as the Technic line that requires more advanced building techniques and offers realistic models. For the budget option, there's the Classic line that gives kids the freedom to build their own creations with a limited number of blocks.

More than just building

Lego also offers more than just building. Games and apps are available to help children develop their skills and stimulate their creativity. School sets are also available that teachers can use to help children develop their skills.

Quality and safety

Lego is known for the quality of its toys and safety for children. Each model is thoroughly reviewed and tested before being released to the market.

How long can children play with magnetic tiles?

Children can play for hours with magnetic tiles. It's great to see a little one get engrossed in building a magnetic flamingo or other creative design. This toy is not only fun, but also educational. Building with magnetic tiles strengthens children's spatial and motor skills and stimulates their cognitive development.

Do children stop playing regularly?

Children often stop playing with magnet tiles to do other things, but they always come back because they have so much fun making new creations. It is important to remember that magnet tiles also carry dangers. The magnets in the edges of the tiles can cause potentially life-threatening damage if swallowed. Therefore, as a parent, make sure that you always check the products and supervise your little one.

How long can children play with Lego?

Most children can also spend hours building with Legos. To ensure that children can play with Lego for as long as possible, there are a number of tips you can follow:

• Always give children the correct age range for Lego.
• Make sure that children cannot put small parts in their mouths.
• Don't let children play with Lego if they are afraid to build or if they don't know how to use it.
• Supervise children during play, especially when they are working with cords or other materials.
• Make sure that children do not make dangerous combinations of blocks, such as one block stuck in another block.
• Check regularly that no blocks are broken, so that children cannot hurt themselves.

From what age are magnetic tiles suitable?

Age categories

Magnet tiles are suitable for children from 3 years old. For younger children it is recommended to play with Duplo or other building sets that better suit their developmental level. From 3 years old, children can already understand how to use the magnetic tiles and enjoy the enormous appeal that the toy has.

Challenge and development

Magnetic tiles offer children a huge challenge and help them develop their creativity and spatial insight. It's a great way for kids to learn and play at the same time. Magnet tiles are also very good for the development of fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.

Additional tips

• Always pay close attention to the age recommendations on the box of magnet tiles and other building sets.
• Always supervise young children when playing with magnet tiles to prevent them from swallowing the small parts.
• Magnet tiles are a great way to let kids secretly learn while playing.
• Remember that every child is different and that some children are more ready for magnetic tiles than others.
• Always choose a brand that is known for the quality and safety of their products.
• In addition, magnetic tiles with bevelled edges and strong magnets are recommended for larger creations.

From what age is Lego suitable?

Duplo for younger children

For younger children, Duplo is most recommended. Duplo is a brand of Lego specially designed for children from one and a half to five years old. Duplo blocks are larger than regular Lego blocks and easier for younger children to recognize and grasp. Duplo blocks are safe and provide the right foundation for building creations. Duplo blocks are made from materials that are free from hazardous plasticizers and other materials that may be harmful to children.

Ordinary Lego for older children

Advanced sets are available for older children to match their cognitive, social-emotional and building skills. Lego blocks are safe and strong thanks to the materials they are made of. Lego blocks are made of materials that are free of dangerous plasticizers and other materials that can be harmful to children.

Which is more fun, magnet tiles or Lego?

If you're looking for new and elaborate toys for your kids, then magnetic tiles and Lego are two options you should definitely consider. Both toys have their own advantages and are suitable for so many different ages. But which is more fun, magnet tiles or Lego? Below we give you a list of reasons why everyone is a big fan of magnetic tiles or Lego.

Why magnetic tiles are more fun

If you are looking for very versatile toys, then magnetic tiles are a good choice. With these magnetic tiles, children can playfully practice their coordination, cognitive development, fine and gross motor skills. Some other reasons why magnet tiles can be more fun than Lego:

• Magnet tiles are durable and last a long time.
• Magnetic tiles are suitable for many ages.
• Magnetic tiles are fun and do not break easily.
• Magnet tiles are beautiful and colorful.
• Magnet tiles are transparent and have beautiful colors.
• Magnet tiles are easy to store and carry.

Why Lego is more fun

Lego has been a favorite among children and adults for years. It is a type of toy that you can play with for hours and where you can use your own creativity. Some reasons why Lego can be more fun than magnet tiles:

• You can build all sorts of different things with Lego.
• Lego is easy to expand with new sets.
• Lego is a classic toy that has been around for years.
• Lego is suitable for many ages.
• Lego is fun to build with others.

Conclusion

Let's face it, magnet tiles are not as pretty as lego and not as challenging, but they are a lot safer and can last for years, so a good choice for young children.

I hope you now know what to choose if you want to buy such a magnet tile set for your child.

Joost Nusselder, the founder of Speelkeuze.nl is a content marketer, father and loves trying out new toys. As a child he came into contact with everything related to games when his mother started the Tinnen Soldaat in Ede. Now he and his team create helpful blog articles to help loyal readers with fun play ideas.