Magnets feel a little bit like magic, don’t they? They spark instant curiosity and can keep little hands busy for hours. However, not all magnets are created equal; the wrong types can be dangerous if they aren’t age-appropriate or if they break (1).
We want our homes to be safe zones where creativity runs wild, not worry. That is why we scoured the market to find the best magnetic toys for kids. We selected these 20 top picks based on strict safety ratings, durability, and their ability to teach while they entertain.
Check out our list of the most engaging, skill-building, and safe magnet toys for kids (and adults!) of all ages.
- 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
Benefits of Building Toys
Magnetic building toys are a brilliant way to introduce your children to art, architecture, construction, and engineering concepts without them even realizing they are learning.
Your children can gain these skills as they stack and snap blocks together:
- Scientific concepts: They grasp magnetic principles like polarity and attraction.
- Dexterity: They hone fine motor skills through precise manipulation.
- Logic: They practice organizational skills by sorting, stacking, and planning.
- STEM foundations: They learn STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) principles as they build simple or intricate designs.
- Cognitive growth: They experience improved concentration levels and problem-solving abilities.
How to Choose Magnetic Toys
Finding the right magnetic toy for your kid isn’t always as simple as grabbing the first box you see. You need to keep a few safety and design considerations in mind.
Construction Materials
Let’s be real; at some point, a younger child will put a toy in their mouth. You need to ensure the materials used to build the magnetic toy are non-toxic.
Avoid magnetic toys made with lower-grade plastics, as they can contain phthalates, lead, and BPA (2). These toxins are dangerous and could harm your growing children.
Also, toys made from cheap materials aren’t durable. You want tiles that are ultrasonically welded or riveted to keep the magnets safely inside, so you aren’t shopping for replacements (or rushing to the ER) later.
Safety
We often buy toys to keep our kids occupied while we work or try to grab a moment of peace. While this usually works out fine, vigilance is key. Young children are known to chew or swallow small items the second we look away.
Magnetic toys usually contain tiny but powerful magnets. If swallowed, these magnets can attract one another through intestinal walls. This can cause severe damage to the digestive system and requires immediate medical attention (3).
You can keep your children safe by following these rules:
- Talk to older kids: Explain the dangers of chewing or swallowing magnetic toys, or using magnets as fake tongue or lip piercings.
- Watch the size: Don’t purchase magnetic sets with small, loose pieces if you have babies or toddlers in the house.
- Storage is key: Don’t leave magnets where young children can reach them. Store all magnetic toys in sealed bins when playtime is over.
If you suspect your child swallowed a magnet, contact your health care provider immediately or go directly to an emergency center.
Design
Look for a magnetic toy that allows your child to build multiple constructions, shapes, and geometric designs. Versatility is vital whether you are buying stacking blocks or flat tiles. Open-ended play ensures your child won’t get bored after ten minutes.
Product Reviews
Ready to shop? We have rounded up the magnetic toys that survived our playrooms and kept our kids entertained the longest.
Magna-Tiles Clear Colors Set
Expandable Magnet Set
Magna-Tiles are widely considered the gold standard of magnetic building tiles, and for good reason. Every tile in the set contains metal rivets that keep the magnets securely locked in place, which is a massive safety plus. They are also incredibly durable and compatible with most other major tile brands.
Recommended for ages 3 and above, this 3D magnetic set is intuitive to use and offers hours of open-ended 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 castles, rockets, or abstract art.
PicassoTiles Magnet Building Tiles
Best Magnetic Toy for Creativity
If you want a large set without the premium price tag, PicassoTiles are a fantastic choice. They specialize in award-winning, STEM-based toys that allow you to fill the toy box on a budget.
Perfect for children ages 3 and above, these tiles help children understand geometrical shapes and 3D forms. This 100-piece set is massive enough for siblings to share, and the magnets are strong enough to hold tall structures together.
Magformers Challenger Magnetic Building Blocks
BPA-Free Is the Way to Be
Magformers feature a unique open-center design with cylindrical magnets that spin, ensuring they always connect regardless of polarity. This BPA-free 112-piece set provides distinct building challenges compared to standard tiles.
It is suitable for children ages 3 and up. The curved pieces allow kids to build rounded vehicles, balls, and complex architectural structures.
Your child will explore magnetic possibilities and engineering ideas as they build. Additionally, the Magformers Challenger set is made using high-quality, sonic-welded plastic to ensure your child’s safety.
Melissa & Doug Fishing Game
Magnetic Fishing Game and Puzzle
Preschoolers who adore sea life will love this wooden fishing game. The magnetic catch-and-release mechanics enhance hand-eye coordination as your child “catches” wooden fish using the magnetic rod.
Children’s concentration levels improve as they learn to steady their hands to line up magnets with targets. Once they catch the fish, they have to fit the piece back into the puzzle board, adding a shape-sorting element to the play.
Your child becomes a critical thinker while having fun. This game is sturdy, safe, and suitable for ages 3 and up.
Playmags 100-Piece Super Set
Sturdiest Design
Highly recommended by educators, this super set is great for preschool games and group activities. It is suitable for children ages 3 and up.
The set contains 100 pieces in eight diverse shapes designed to stretch your child’s imagination. The tiles feature a lattice-work design which adds strength, meaning taller towers are less likely to collapse and cause frustration.
This set also includes “click-ins” (tiles with letters and numbers) to introduce literacy basics alongside geometry and spatial reasoning.
LeapFrog Magnetic Letter Set
Learn the Alphabet With Magnets
Most toddlers enjoy songs and singing. This interactive letter set turns your fridge into a classroom. Recommended for children ages 2 and above, it includes a colorful magnetic bus reader and all 26 alphabet letters.
Each of the magnetic tiles sings when pressed into the bus slot. Press once to hear the letter’s name and phonetic sound; press twice to hear the letter used in a word.
This doesn’t just help your child grasp vocabulary but also improves their fine motor skills as they manipulate the pieces.
4M Magnetic Tile Art
Great Choice for Young Crafters
For ages 8 and up, this tile kit combines traditional fridge magnets with your child’s artwork. The kit includes everything needed to create personalized gifts for friends and relatives.
With 12 tiles, a paintbrush, a paint strip, rubber magnets, and adhesive tape, your child will have a blast designing unique creations. It is an exceptional opportunity for crafty kids to display their work proudly on the kitchen fridge.
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. The pieces are large enough that you don’t have to worry about choking hazards. The back of the packaging even identifies all the dinosaurs by name for curious learners.
This set is great for shape recognition and enhances your child’s sorting skills. Note that the wooden box doesn’t have a lid, so you might want a separate bag for storage if you don’t keep them permanently displayed on the fridge.
Dowling Penny Magnetic Kit
Great Option for Coin Collectors
This kit is a fantastic option for children ages 8 and above to explore magnetic forces, stability, and motion using something familiar: money. It uses magnetic pennies to discuss scientific concepts, geometry, and symmetry.
Kids get to learn about penny history and magnetic facts as they engage in the 44 listed activities. They can build gravity-defying sculptures, pyramids, and bridges while learning real physics.
Speks Space Cadet Magnetic Geode
Best Magnetic Toys for Young Teens
Looking for a creative way to pull your teens away from their screens? These 12 magnetic pentagons are a perfect desk toy 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 fidget designs. They can create magnetic spheres or uniquely shaped decorations for their rooms. Please note these contain stronger magnets and small parts, so they are not suitable for young children.
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 mechanics. The magnets are secured within welded plastic, making them safe for use.
The magnets are surprisingly strong and will keep the blocks from scattering if a tower topples over. As the pieces are around 2 inches high, these are recommended for children ages 3 and up.
Little World Fridge Magnets
Cute Farm-Inspired Magnet Set
These colorful farm animal magnets will fascinate your preschooler. Geared toward children aged 3 to 5, this set enhances fine motor skills, animal recognition, and vocabulary.
The soft magnets are made from high-quality silicone-feel materials, so they won’t leave scratch marks on your fridge or dishwasher. However, since they are laminated card-style magnets, keep them away from water to prevent peeling.
Magnetic Poetry Kids Kit
Great Choice for Little Wordsmiths
Magnetic poetry isn’t just for hipsters; it’s great for kids, too. This set is designed specifically for ages 5 and up with age-appropriate vocabulary.
Whether on the fridge or a magnetic board, your child can practice sentence structure and storytelling by combining words. With over 360 tiles, you may want to set a dedicated container aside to avoid losing pieces under the oven.
Magnetic U.S. Map Puzzle
Learn Geography With Magnets
What better way for your child to learn the layout of the country than with this 44-piece magnetic puzzle? This beautifully colored toy is a great introduction to geography for children ages 4 and above.
Each magnet features the state name, landmarks, and visual representations of local culture. When complete, the puzzle forms an accurate map of the USA, perfect for display on a whiteboard.
Tegu Wooden Blocks
A New Slant on Classic Wooden Blocks
Wooden toys are timeless, but Tegu reinvented the block by hiding magnets inside. This 24-piece set allows for defying gravity in ways traditional blocks can’t.
Because there are no visible magnets or plastic casings, they look beautiful and feel premium. The manufacturers have taken strict safety precautions to ensure the magnets are inaccessible, making this toy safe for use by children 3 years and above.
Doinkit Darts - Magnetic Dart Board
Family Game Time
Are you looking for a toy that will engage your 6-year-old, your teens, and even the adults in your family? Doinkit darts are the answer. These magnetic darts are strong enough to stick but have flat tips, so they won’t poke holes in your walls (or your kids).
The 16-inch magnetic dartboard is sturdy and durable. It helps improve coordination, focus, and sportsmanship without the danger of sharp steel tips.
Lauri Foam Magnets - Numbers
Great Choice for Learning Numbers
This toy is a fun, tactile way to teach children ages 4 and above simple math. You get 110 colorful, thick foam magnets that are easy to grab. It comes with a storage tub, making cleanup a breeze.
It is ideal for homeschooling, classroom setups, or just fridge math. Each number is 1.75 inches tall, just the right size for little hands to manipulate.
TrueBalance Educational STEM Toy
STEM-Friendly Balance Magnets
Looking to work on balance and concentration through magnets? This award-winning handheld toy is harder than it looks. It challenges kids (and adults!) to stack the magnetic discs by balancing the handle.
Occupational and physiotherapists often use this toy to improve patients’ coordination and fine motor skills. Children with autism and ADHD can benefit tremendously from it, as the focus required can be very calming.
Magnetic Levitation Science Kit
Best Magnetic Levitation Toy
Science-loving kids will find this kit both educational and entertaining. Your child gets to perform real physics experiments, such as levitating a screw, floating a pencil, and building a maglev robot.
Suitable for children ages 8 and up, this toy comes with detailed assembly instructions for up to seven different anti-gravity projects.
Kid O Free Play Magnatab
Great Magnetic Drawing Fun for All Ages
The Magnatab is an excellent sensory learning tool recommended for children ages 3 and up. It nurtures creativity as your child uses the magnetic stylus to pull metal beads to the surface, creating lines and shapes.
It provides a satisfying “click” sound and tactile feedback. To erase, you simply rub the beads back down with your finger. It is a mess-free alternative to drawing that is perfect for car rides.
How to Find an Age-Appropriate Toy
Finding an appropriate toy involves looking at the age, skills, and interests of your child.
This process is much easier with older children who already know what they like (and will tell you loudly). But for the little ones, safety and development are the main factors.
Here are some things to keep in mind:
- 1 to 2 years old: Toddlers explore the world by touching, feeling, and tasting. Since everything goes in the mouth, go for large, fully sealed, colorful magnet toys. Responsive toys that sing or talk when touched are also a hit.
- 3 to 5 years old: Preschoolers are energetic and imaginative. Simple tile sets and magnetic drawing boards are fantastic here. They inspire creativity and introduce art and basic math without feeling like schoolwork.
- 6 to 8 years old: Kids in this age group love to invent things and figure out puzzles. Open-ended tile sets with more complex shapes or motorized parts encourage invention.
- 9 to 12 years old: Older children want toys that reflect their hobbies. They will benefit greatly from magnetic STEM kits, science experiments, and dartboards.
FAQs
What Can Children Learn With Magnetic Toys?
Children can learn about science, specifically magnetism, polarity, and physics. They also grasp spatial relationships, geometry, and architectural stability. Beyond STEM skills, these toys encourage fine motor development, planning, and imaginative play.
What Type of Magnets Should Children Avoid Playing With?
Children should strictly avoid playing with small, high-powered loose magnets, such as rare earth magnets (Buckyballs), which are a severe health hazard if swallowed. Ensure any magnetic toys are age-appropriate, with large pieces and magnets that are securely embedded inside the plastic or wood.
How Do I Clean Magnetic Toys?
You should wipe magnetic tiles and blocks with a damp cloth and mild soap. Never submerge them in water or put them in the dishwasher, as water can get trapped inside the tiles (causing mold) or damage the magnets and glue seals.
Are Old Magnetic Toys Safe?
You should inspect older magnetic toys regularly. If the plastic is cracked, the rivets are loose, or the housing is compromised, discard the toy immediately. Loose magnets are dangerous, so it is better to be safe and replace worn-out sets.
