Magna-Tiles deserve a top spot in the toy hall of fame. The seemingly simple magnetic shapes appeal to kids of all ages, from curious toddlers who are developing their gross and fine motor skills to STEM-curious tweens who are sharpening their spatial reasoning. But talking too much about STEM can make Magna-Tiles sound more stodgy than they are; they’re also just fun, and the open-ended play design encourages kids to tap into their imagination to build all kinds of structures, from simple towers to elaborate castles for toy figures.
Joseph Sacks, a clinical social worker, says that along with sparking inventiveness, “figuring out how the magnets interconnect in different ways is stimulating and creative.” As the summer heat blazes and kids start looking for new activities to hold their attention, this 32-piece starter set could come in handy to get you through the start of the school year. It’s the cheapest we’ve seen since 2020, down to $37 from $50, and has plenty of pieces to keep younger kids entertained or add on to an older kid’s growing collection.
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