Is there anyone who doesn’t find magnets fascinating? They arouse our curiosity and can seem almost magical. But did you know that the wrong types of magnets can be seriously harmful to children if misused (1)?
As moms, we want to ensure our homes are safe and fun places for our children and the children of our friends and visitors. That’s why we’ve scoured the market for the best magnetic toys for kids. We’ve selected these 20 magnetic toys because of their safety ratings, durability, and educational designs.
Check out this list for the most entertaining, skill-building, and attractive magnet toys for kids (and adults!) of all ages.
- 3D magnetic building sets
- STEM approved
- Ultrasonic welding
- Encourages creativity
- Fun and entertaining
- 100-piece set
- Neodymium rare-earth magnets
- 112-piece magnetic building set
- 5 geometric shapes
- Magnetic wooden puzzle
- Bright, colorful artwork
- Encourages hand-eye coordination
- Durable magnets
- Great for building tall 3D structures
- For educational development
- Teaches alphabet, early vocabulary, phonics
- Colorful magnetic tile reader
- Improves fine motor skills
- Make ideal fridge art
- Complete art kit
- Turn ordinary tiles into masterpieces
- 20 dinosaur magnets
- Brightly-colored
- Great for shape recognition
- Stainless steel magnet
- Includes 32 newly minted pennies
- Integrates fun with learning
The Best Kids Magnetic Toys of 2024
Wondering which magnetic toys your child will enjoy? Let’s check out some great ones in different age groups.
Magna-Tiles Clear Colors Set
Expandable Magnet Set
As far as high-quality toys are concerned, this set takes the gold medal, in our opinion. Every tile in the set contains metal rivets that keep the magnets in place. Furthermore, Magna-Tiles makes it easy to add to your collection, as this set is compatible with many other sets.
Recommended for ages 3 and above, this 3D magnetic set is easy to use and offers tons of fun.
It provides educational opportunities and engages your child’s mind by fusing creativity, science, and math. Since all the tile edges are magnetized, your child has unlimited opportunities to build any design they can think of.
User Experience
PicassoTiles Magnet Building Tiles
Best Magnetic Toy for Creativity
Introduce your child to a world of endless fun with this product. PicassoTiles specializes in providing award-winning, STEM-based toys, enabling you to introduce your child to these concepts early on.
Perfect for children ages 3 and above, this toy helps children understand geometrical shapes, including those in 3D forms. With limitless designs, your child will enjoy making endless creations with this 100-piece set.
Personal Perspective
Magformers Challenger Magnetic Building Blocks
BPA-Free Is the Way to Be
Coming from a well-known toy brand, this BPA-free 112-piece magnet set provides so many building challenges and possibilities.
It’s suitable for children ages 3 and up. It engages their young minds as they build vehicles, houses, animals, and more.
Your child will explore magnetic possibilities and architectural ideas as they build different designs and shapes. Additionally, the Magformers Challenger set is made using high-quality materials to ensure your child’s safety.
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Melissa & Doug Fishing Game
Magnetic Fishing Game and Puzzle
Preschoolers who adore sealife will love this fishing game by Melissa and Doug. The magnetic catch-and-release toy enhances motor skills as your child “catches” wooden fish using the magnetic fishing pole.
Children’s concentration levels will improve as they learn to “fish” by lining up magnets with targets. After they catch the fish, they get to fit the piece into the puzzle.
Your child becomes a critical thinker while having fun. This game is suitable for ages 3 and up.
First-Hand Impression
Playmags 100-Piece Super Set
Sturdiest Design
Highly recommended by professionals, this super set, suitable for children ages 3 and up, is great for preschool games and group activities.
The set contains 100 pieces in eight diverse shapes designed to stretch your child’s imagination. The lattice-work design of the tiles ensures a sturdy build while minimizing frustration.
This set is versatile and can be used with other tiles. As your children play, they’re also introduced to the basics of geometry, spatial reasoning, physics, and architecture.
User Experience
LeapFrog Magnetic Letter Set
Learn the Alphabet With Magnets
Most toddlers enjoy songs and singing. This letter set, recommended for children ages 2 and above, is a fun way to teach your child the alphabet. It includes a colorful magnetic tile reader and all 26 letters.
Each of the magnetic tiles sings when pressed. When your child presses the magnet once, they will hear the letter’s name and phonetic sound. If they press it twice, they’ll hear the letter used in a word.
This doesn’t just help your child grasp words but also improves their fine motor skills.
Personal Perspective
4M Magnetic Tile Art
Great Choice for Young Crafters
For ages 8 and up, this tile kit combines your traditional fridge magnets with precious artwork from your kids. The kit includes everything your child needs for creating a personalized gift for friends and relatives.
With 12 tiles, a paintbrush, a paint strip including colored paints, rubber magnets, and adhesive tape to finish, your child will have a blast designing a wide range of creations. For those who enjoy crafting projects, this provides an exceptional opportunity to show off their work in a unique way.
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Melissa & Doug Magnetic Dinosaurs
For Dinosaur-Loving Toddlers
Ideal for children aged 2 and above, these 20 brightly-colored wooden dinosaurs are perfect for any dinosaur-loving kid. They are a good size, so you don’t have to worry about your child choking. The back of the packaging identifies all the dinosaurs by name.
This set is great for shape recognition and enhances your child’s sorting skills. The box is not resealable once opened, so you’ll need to have a storage box handy — unless they’re going to be permanently displayed on the fridge door!
First-Hand Impression
Dowling Penny Magnetic Kit
Great Option for Coin Collectors
Dowling magnet pennies are a fantastic option for children ages 8 and above to explore magnetic forces, stability, and motion. It’s a fun way to introduce and discuss scientific concepts, geometry, and symmetry, among other things.
Kids get to learn about penny history and magnetic facts as they engage in the 44 listed fun activities. They can build gravity-defying sculptures, pyramids, and more.
User Experience
Speks Space Cadet Magnetic Geode
Best Magnetic Toys for Young Teens
Looking for a creative way to pull your teens away from their tablets or Playstations? These 12 magnetic pentagons are a perfect way to engage any 14-year-old’s imagination.
Their ability to assemble things becomes heightened as they come up with all sorts of shapes and designs. They can create magnetic buildings or uniquely shaped decorations for their rooms. However, these pentagons aren’t suitable for children under 14.
Personal Perspective
Magz Magnetic Building Set
Strong Design for Little Builders
These 40 colorful bottle-shaped blocks will keep any preschooler busy. They are ideal for enhancing your child’s motor skills and learning simple building skills. The magnets are secured within welded plastic, making them safe for use.
The magnets are pretty strong and will keep the blocks from scattering if the tower topples over. As the pieces are around 2 inches high, these are not recommended for children under the age of 3.
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Little World Fridge Magnets
Cute Farm-Inspired Magnet Set
These colorful farm animal magnets will fascinate your preschooler. For children aged 3 to 5, this set enhances fine motor skills, recognition abilities, and memory.
The soft magnets are made from high-quality materials, so they won’t leave scratch marks on your fridge or other metal surfaces. However, the magnets consist of laminated cards attached to foam on a rubber magnet base, so they will be damaged if they get wet.
First-Hand Impression
Magnetic Poetry Kids Kit
Great Choice for Little Wordsmiths
Magnetic poetry was all the rage a few years back, but until now, I thought it only existed for adults. But no. This creative company has expanded to include sets for kids. This one is for ages 5 and up.
Whether on the fridge or a magnetic board, your child can practice their writing and storytelling by combining words. With over 360 tiles, you may want to set a Tupperware container aside to avoid losing any along the way.
User Experience
Magnetic U.S. Map Puzzle
Learn Geography With Magnets
What better way for your child to learn about the U.S. than with this 44-piece magnetic puzzle? This beautifully colored toy is a great introduction to geography lessons for children ages 4 and above.
Each magnet contains the name and a visual representation of each state. When complete, the puzzle takes the shape of the United States of America.
Personal Perspective
Tegu Wooden Blocks
A New Slant on Classic Wooden Blocks
Wooden toys have been around for years. But this brand has reinvented these blocks and made them super fun for kids by adding magnets. Twenty-four pieces are included with this set, offering hours of entertainment as your child creates a multitude of objects.
The manufacturers have taken safety precautions to ensure this toy is safe for use by children 3 years and above.
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Doinkit Darts - Magnetic Dart Board
Family Game Time
Are you looking for a toy that will engage your 6-year-old, your older kids, and even the adults in your family? Doinkit darts just might do it for you. These magnetic darts are lightweight and safe.
The 16-inch magnetic dartboard is sturdy and durable and has a hook to hang it onto a wall or door. Doinkit darts help improve your child’s coordination, focus, and concentration. They also encourage sportsmanship as your child engages with others.
First-Hand Impression
Lauri Foam Magnets - Numbers
Great Choice for Learning Numbers
This toy is a fun way to teach children ages 4 and above simple math. You will have 110 colorful and strong magnets to do the job. It comes with a storage tub, making it easy to put away the toys.
It’s ideal for homeschooling, classroom setup, or even fun times at home. Each number is 1.75 inches long — just the right size for your child’s little hands.
User Experience
TrueBalance Educational STEM Toy
STEM-Friendly Balance Magnets
Looking to work on balance and concentration through magnets? Assembling this award-winning toy is no easy task. It offers fun while challenging kids from age 8 through adults to think critically.
Occupational and physiotherapists helped develop this toy to improve their patients’ coordination and fine motor skills. Children with autism and ADHD can benefit tremendously from playing with this as it encourages focus.
Personal Perspective
Magnetic Levitation Science Kit
Best Magnetic Levitation Toy
Science-loving kids will find this toy both educational and entertaining. Your child gets to enjoy multiple experiments, such as levitating a screw, floating a pencil, building a maglev, and so much more.
Suitable for children ages 8 and up, this toy comes with detailed assembly instructions for up to seven projects.
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Kid O Free Play Magnatab
Great Magnetic Drawing Fun for All Ages
The Magnatab is an excellent learning tool recommended for children ages 3 and up. It help nurtures creativity in your child as they use the stylus to create their own unique designs.
Your child will use the magnetized stylus pen to trace whatever shape they want. They will see beads pop up to the surface, revealing their creation. It isn’t just art; this toy helps children practice letters, numbers, and shapes.
Benefits of Building Toys
Magnetic building toys are a fun way to introduce your children to art, architecture, construction, and engineering concepts.
These are some of the skills and abilities your children can gain as they stack the blocks :
- Magnetic principles.
- Fine motor skills.
- Organizational skills of sorting and stacking.
- STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) principles as they build simple or intricate designs.
- Experience improved concentration levels and problem-solving.
How to Choose Magnetic Toys
Finding the right magnetic toy for your kid is not as easy as it sounds. There are several considerations you need to keep in mind.
Construction Materials
At one point or another, a younger child will put a toy in their mouth. You want to ensure that the materials used to build the magnetic toy are safe.
Avoid magnetic toys that are made using lower-grade plastics, as they can contain phthalates, lead, and BPA (2). These toxins are dangerous and could harm your children.
Additionally, toys made from cheap materials aren’t durable, and you’ll find yourself shopping for new toys too often.
Safety
Admittedly, most of us buy toys to keep our kids occupied while we work or try to relax. While some of us get away with it, not everyone is as lucky. Young children are known to chew or swallow small toys while distracted parents aren’t looking.
Magnetic toys usually contain tiny but powerful magnets that attract to one another or other metallic surfaces. If swallowed, these magnets will try to do the same internally. This, in turn, can cause severe damage to the digestive system (3).
You can keep your children safe by doing the following:
- Talk to your older children about the dangers of chewing or swallowing magnetic toys or using magnets as fake piercings.
- Don’t purchase magnetic toy sets that contain small pieces. This is particularly important if you have babies or toddlers around.
- Don’t leave magnets where young children can access them. Store away all magnetic toys when they’re not in use.
If your child happens to swallow a magnetic toy, contact your nearest health care provider, or better yet, take them directly to an emergency center you trust.
Design
Look for a magnetic toy that allows your child to build multiple constructions, shapes, and even geometric designs. Versatility is vital whether you’re buying stacking blocks or other types of magnetic toys. This will ensure that your child doesn’t get bored too soon.
How to Find an Age-Appropriate Toy
Finding an appropriate toy for your child involves looking at their age, skills, and interests.
This process is much easier with older children who already know what they like.
More often than not, their choices will be influenced by their peers or the advertisements they’ve seen. As a result, you may find yourself with a long list of “must-haves” to find.
Here are some things to keep in mind:
- 1 to 2 years old: Children at this age are curious about the world. They want to touch, feel, and explore things. This may include putting things in their mouth, so go for large and colorful magnet toys. Responsive toys that sing or talk when touched are ideal for this age group.
- 3 to 5 years old: Preschoolers are energetic, imaginative, and curious. Simple tile sets and magnetic drawing boards are fantastic for this age. They inspire creativity and can introduce children to art, basic math, and more.
- 6 to 8 years old: Kids in this age group like to invent things and figure puzzles out by themselves. Open tile sets encourage invention and are educational.
- 9 to 12 years old: Older children want toys that reflect their personalities. They will benefit greatly from magnetic STEM toys and dartboards.
FAQs
What Can Children Learn With Magnetic Toys?
Children can learn about science, particularly magnetism, spatial relationships, geometry, and creative problem-solving with magnetic toys. They also encourage fine motor skills, planning, and imaginative play.
What Type of Magnets Should Children Avoid Playing With?
Children should avoid playing with small, powerful, loose magnets, like rare earth magnets, which can be a serious health hazard if swallowed. Ensure any magnetic toys are age-appropriate, with larger pieces and securely embedded magnets.
