Building Toys

Hi - I would like to invest in a few really good quality building toys and need suggestions on the best buys that kids will continue to play with. Specifically, I've seen online 'Magnetic Tiles' that look really cool but are quite expensive for a small set. Anyone have those? I don't want to buy a lot and I do have the old fashioned wooden blocks which are great. Been looking on Kijiji but they're a rare find I think. Have also seen foam blocks but I want something they can connect together to build structures. Thanks for any suggestions - much appreciated!

I remember a few years ago there was a story (not sure if it's true or not) of a child who swallowed 2 magnets and they stuck together inside his stomach and did some damage. For that reason, I only have magnetic shapes that I pull out when I can safely supervise them using them.

We have waffle blocks, foam blocks, coloured wooden blocks and the bigger mega bloks.

I'd like to get some of the really huge soft blocks but haven't invested in them yet.

I have Tegu magnetic building blocks, the magnets are right inside the wood so there is no way that they could ever swallow the magnets. The kids really like them, can do lots of cool stuff with them.

https://www.tegu.com/

Ooh I like those Amanda!! Now I want some lol

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Originally Posted by AmandaKDT

I have Tegu magnetic building blocks, the magnets are right inside the wood so there is no way that they could ever swallow the magnets. The kids really like them, can do lots of cool stuff with them.

https://www.tegu.com/

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I'm totally getting those. Thanks!!!

I just looked at the prices...wow lol. Will have to add them to the wish list and save up a bit first. How many sets do you have Amanda and do you find there's enough for all to play with at once? Where did you buy yours?

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Originally Posted by 5 Little Monkeys

I just looked at the prices...wow lol. Will have to add them to the wish list and save up a bit first. How many sets do you have Amanda and do you find there's enough for all to play with at once? Where did you buy yours?

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I actually got them loaned to me from my sister and I don't know where she bought them from. I will ask her. I actually had no idea how much they were worth until I looked at the website, they are pricy! But they are well made and I could see them lasting a very long time. I have the basic building set that is blocks of different sizes and a set of wheels.

My kids love the big cardboard "bricks". You can make castles, towers, roads....anything!

Bristle blocks are different and inexpensive.

Wonder wiper, I forgot about this 2....they're great!

Amanda...yes, they are definitely a toy that would likely last forever so probably a very good investment! Some of the bigger sets are probably the best for daycares but definitely pricey.

Blocks are so pricey! It is unfortunately as I would buy a huge variety of many different types. I loved the HUGE wooden blocks we had in daycares, hollow solid wood, they would build the best structures and building but they were a few thousand dollars for a small set!

We have a lot of the large mega blocks, now our outside set as they are easy to wash at end of season. We also have a set of waffle blocks (neat for building structures and cars etc), we have a good size set of foam blocks but they are too light weight so kind of blow over… and show teeth marks! We also have some duplo.

I would say the waffle blocks are best value for being able to connect in multiple ways and build things.

The magnet blocks are safe but the magnets in the backs of the fridge letters are of concern to me as they can become dislodged from the letters and easily swallowed. Once swallowed if strong enough they can attach with layers of stomach or intestines in between the magnets, quite dangerous but luckily a rare occurrance.

Stickle bricks are old school and I just love them. Cost-co regularly sell a set for less than $30 if I recall.

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Originally Posted by Lee-Bee

The magnet blocks are safe but the magnets in the backs of the fridge letters are of concern to me as they can become dislodged from the letters and easily swallowed. Once swallowed if strong enough they can attach with layers of stomach or intestines in between the magnets, quite dangerous but luckily a rare occurrance.

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Yes! This is the story I was thinking of. It's why magnetic play is supervised. I'd love to put up an area for them to be accessible 24/7 since the kids love them but I'm too paranoid lol. They likely wouldn't be as much fun either though because it wouldn't be a "new" toy anymore....

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Originally Posted by 5 Little Monkeys

Wonder wiper, I forgot about this 2....they're great!

Amanda...yes, they are definitely a toy that would likely last forever so probably a very good investment! Some of the bigger sets are probably the best for daycares but definitely pricey.

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My sister says she just bought them off the Tagu website, so perhaps it will just mean watching for them to go on sale. I don't like buying anything full price! :):)

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Originally Posted by AmandaKDT

My sister says she just bought them off the Tagu website, so perhaps it will just mean watching for them to go on sale. I don't like buying anything full price! :):)

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Lol, same here!! I did some googling and see that Target sells them (not that it helps now) but I think I'm going to ask our local toy store if she can get them in and see what the cost would be

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Originally Posted by 5 Little Monkeys

I remember a few years ago there was a story (not sure if it's true or not) of a child who swallowed 2 magnets and they stuck together inside his stomach and did some damage. For that reason, I only have magnetic shapes that I pull out when I can safely supervise them using them.

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Yes, this is absolutely a true story, and not that rare about 10 years ago. It was happening a lot with the little magnet balls and bars that are for a 'desk toy.' They are super strong magnets that will easily be swallowed and 'attract' each other inside a person. Rip through you like a bullet.

The toy industry is a bit more cautious with magnets in toys now, only an issue if you're buying second hand.

We have duplo blocks and wooden blocks here. When I was first opening, I bought a Jenga game and the blocks from that are still a favorite in to wooden block box.

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Originally Posted by Wonderwiper

My kids love the big cardboard "bricks". You can make castles, towers, roads....anything!

Bristle blocks are different and inexpensive.

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Cardboard blocks? Are they durable? I would be afraid they just wouldn't last very long. Are they solid or hollow?

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Originally Posted by 5 Little Monkeys

Lol, same here!! I did some googling and see that Target sells them (not that it helps now) but I think I'm going to ask our local toy store if she can get them in and see what the cost would be

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Oh my gosh, I was thinking of doing that too. actually, I was just going to message her through the Facebook page. Let me know what you find out. :)

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Originally Posted by kindertime

Cardboard blocks? Are they durable? I would be afraid they just wouldn't last very long. Are they solid or hollow?

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Mine are similar to these...

http://teachers.scholarschoice.ca/ca...blocks-24-pcs/


I have had them for 4 years. The edges are sort of frayed(can't think of a way to describe) but have held their shape just fine! The kids walk on them, climb on them. They are used daily.

I also have the blocks Bright mentioned. I called them bristle blocks. My kids like those too.

The magnetic blocks can be found at Masterminds or Tiggy Winkles if you have a store by you. We use duplo here and trio blocks. Trio blocks are found at Walmart and the sets are so fun, my kids fav.
http://www.amazon.ca/Fisher-Price-TR.../dp/B001W0D00O

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Originally Posted by Wonderwiper

Mine are similar to these...

http://teachers.scholarschoice.ca/ca...blocks-24-pcs/


I have had them for 4 years. The edges are sort of frayed(can't think of a way to describe) but have held their shape just fine! The kids walk on them, climb on them. They are used daily.

I also have the blocks Bright mentioned. I called them bristle blocks. My kids like those too.

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Thanks for that. I have seen these and always thought they couldn't be worth it because I thought they'd just get smushed on day one. I will think of getting some.

All these ideas are so awesome... the magnetic tiles i want are these and they don't have magnets on the outside: (hope the link works, if not sorry.)

http://magnatiles.com/products/magna...-32-piece-set/

However, now that i've seen the Tegu's I may go with those and a few of the other ideas. I can't wait to play with them....

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Originally Posted by babydom

The magnetic blocks can be found at Masterminds or Tiggy Winkles if you have a store by you. We use duplo here and trio blocks. Trio blocks are found at Walmart and the sets are so fun, my kids fav.
http://www.amazon.ca/Fisher-Price-TR.../dp/B001W0D00O

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Ha! The link you have, sent me to amazon where you can buy a set of these blocks with 100 pieces for $600. Funny. I know it's a third party site and all but really...

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Originally Posted by ebhappydc

All these ideas are so awesome... the magnetic tiles i want are these and they don't have magnets on the outside: (hope the link works, if not sorry.)

http://magnatiles.com/products/magna...-32-piece-set/

However, now that i've seen the Tegu's I may go with those and a few of the other ideas. I can't wait to play with them....

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I have some like this, but a different brand. The kids love them. And when I see a good deal, I buy some more, a little bit at a time.

Garage sales are good for adding to the block centre and picking up more of whatever you already have too since more builds bigger things.