Best Erector Sets for Kids of 2023

Schylling is a U.S. company located in Massachusetts, and they have been making toys for over 40 years.

This five-model construction kit has over 200 all-steel pieces and the instructions to build five specific models. Also in the kit are three styles of wheels and all of the tools you require for model construction.

It is a mid-range, low-price kit that is an excellent introduction to erector sets for beginners.

Schylling has an extensive line of Steel Works kits, all of which can be used together. If you find your child does enjoy playing with this set, you can buy other kits to expand their collection, and this one will still be useful.

Brickyard makes a line of erector sets, and we are big fans of the 101-piece STEM set.

The pieces are made from lead-free, phthalate-free, cadmium-free plastic, and the parts can be washed in soapy water to keep them germ-free. There are no sharp edges or pointy corners for children to hurt themselves on, and the set can be used by children as young as 3 years old.

Instructions are included for 42 models, some of which are easy enough for a preschooler. The models gradually increase in difficulty to ones that are rated for 10-year-olds.

This makes it ideal for children to enjoy as they grow and for families where there are children of a wide range of ages.

Meccano takes the standard erector set experience up a notch, with the inclusion of a 6-volt electrical motor. This allows your child to make models with working parts or their own motorized vehicles.

Use the instructions in this set to build a working crane with a rotating body and an extending hook. You can use the pieces to make your own motorized creations.

This is one of the more substantial sets, with 643 pieces. It includes three tools, and everything fits neatly into a sturdy plastic carrying case.

Where this set loses point is in the suggestion on the packaging that there are instructions for 25 models. There are detailed instructions for only 11 models and then ideas for a further 14 models but no instructions for them.

For the boys who want to build their vehicle from scratch, there’s no reason to miss out on the fun of erector sets. This set comprises of 145 flexi plates and building pieces that will help you create one of the six mega-sized vehicles with the aid of a 27-page detailed assembly manual for construction. Furthermore, the box also contains the necessary tools for use to assemble the set such as a screwdriver, wrench, screws, nuts, wheels, and connectors.

The set comes in a sturdy box that is useful for storage and easy clean up of mess.

The pieces in this offering from Isogot are washable and flexible. Each piece is made with materials that are lead and cadimum-free, so you can be sure your child will enjoy a safe play experience.

K’Nex manufactures a slightly different style of erector sets for kids.

Instead of the standard flat strips with holes, connected by nuts and bolts, K’Nex pieces are rods and connectors. These can be clipped together, or threaded through each other. That means they don’t require tools to enjoy.

This particular set has a dizzying 529 pieces, as well as a 6-volt motor and instructions for 50 models.

One of the models featured in the set is a Ferris wheel, which can be motorized. The wheel turns slowly, and the seats swing in the same way as the genuine fairground ride.

K’Nex is made in a zero-waste, green manufacturing plant in Hatfield, Pennsylvania, so you can have confidence that the parts are non-toxic, responsibly made, and safe for your child.

The 100-piece Essentials set from Tinker Toy is a wonderful introduction to erector sets for toddlers.

Similar to K’Nex products, Tinker Toys do not have nuts and bolts. Instead, the rods clip into solid triangular and circular pieces to form the models. This makes it easier for some toddlers who may not yet have the coordination to use tools effectively.

The plastic used in the set is non-toxic and can be washed in warm soapy water, making it much easier to keep this set clean and hygienic. The pieces are much larger than other erector sets designed for older children.

Everything fits easily into the container, without the need to arrange them neatly in specific spots in the packaging.

The Meccano Erector super construction set has the instructions for 25 models. They include the usual cars and motorbikes as well as the more unusual offerings of a windmill, robot, and forklift truck.

The parts vary greatly in size and shape. As well as the expected flat pieces, there’s an interesting array of pulleys, wheels, and spacers. The set also contains strings and elastics for the creation of moving parts.

There are also two tools included in the kit, both of which are durable metal items rather than the flimsy plastic ones you may see from other manufacturers.

Like the previous set, this has a 6-volt electric motor. However, the pieces in this kit are different, and the suggested models are more complex.

If your child wants to build a working crane, then consider this option from Iron Commander.

You don’t need any batteries to use this toy. Let your child enjoy the simplicity of playing free from the danger of radiation or harmful chemicals and is best enjoyed by kids eight years old and beyond.

The crane can be used to pick up, move, and reposition an object like a wooden crate.

When your child outgrew this toy, this can also be displayed in their room to serve as a reminder of the young engineer in them.

Introduce your child to robotics with the Meccano Meccaoid robot building set.

This contains all the pieces required to build a humanoid-shaped robot that stands almost four feet tall. The robot has LED eyes, a moving head, voice recognition, and can wave its hands.

There are ten motors for the movement of the articulated head, elbows, shoulders, and feet. The robot moves either through pre-programmed instructions or the use of a smart device. Place your smart device in the specified spot on the robot, and it will mirror your movements.

Also, there are 3,000 pre-programmed phrases your robot can say. These include jokes, stories, and robot trivia with which to regal your kids.

Your child can change the settings and have the robot record what they say and repeat it back to them.

An excellent introduction to the principles of construction, this set from K’Nex is both affordable and versatile. The set comes in a treasure chest style box, so it is easy to tidy up, store, and take along to the homes of friends and family.

The set has 480 of the classic K’Nex parts, which allow kids to create a wide variety of models, including the 35 models for which there are instructions. Many of the models have moving parts and can be played with independently.

The instructions are clearly laid out, step-by-step, designed specifically for children as young as 7 years old to follow. Many of the models are vehicles, but there is some variety, such as the K’Nex dinosaur. Children can also bring to life their own models using this kit.