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Are you shopping for building toys for your little one and are unsure which ones are the best fit?
Well, don’t worry. I got you.
I did a comparison of two very common building block toys for kids – Lego and Magna Tiles – to identify the pros and cons of each.
Here’s what I found.
By Lilian.
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Lego
Pros of Lego
Lego has Countless Sets and Kits
This means that if your child likes to build specific designs – even Star Wars – they’re always going to get Lego sets for exactly that!
No disappointments for them!
Cheaper than Magna Tiles
If you compare the prices of Lego and Magna Tiles on a piece-by-piece basis, Legos are cheaper.
Great for Older Kids
Kids aged at least 4 years find it more fun playing with Lego than Magna Tiles.
At that age, our little tots have an intense interest in building stuff and have learned how to follow instructions.
This makes Lego a better option for them.
Cons of Lego
Little pieces May be Swallowed
Because Lego comes with some very small pieces, there’s always a looming risk of choking for mouthing babies.
So to be on the safe side, choose Lego sets by recommended age and keep the Lego away from the little babes.
Very Little Rigid Fixation in Larger Buildings
I once watched my son build a high tower with his Lego blocks. Just before he was finished, it accidentally fell off and the tower came crumbling down. Oh, how demotivating it was for him!
That’s one thing I dislike about Lego.
They have little rigid fixation if one tries to build a large structure which is not properly supported by other bricks. That means the risk of that beautiful design crumbling down is very high.
This is the exact reason why they’re only good for older kids.
Let’s now move on to Magna Tiles.
Magna Tiles
Pros of Magna Tiles
They stick together through the magnets on every tile
For that very active toddler, as they build, they’re bound to knock off the structure quite often.
Magna Tiles have magnets on the side of every tile to ensure they stick together.
This fixation makes building with Magna Tiles easier for younger tots.
They don’t have to assemble the design afresh every now and then after dropping off the floor.
They’re great for younger kids – even 1-year-olds!
Most kids won’t get how to stack 2 Lego pieces together consistently until their 2nd birthday.
However, with Magna Tiles, my son would comfortably connect the Tiles together around his 1st birthday.
The fact that Magna Tiles are not as prone to breaking makes them even safer for younger kids.
Remember, these pieces could still be broken with a lot of force, like for example, stomping on one.
They can build big stuff faster!
With Magna Tiles, kids can build extremely tall and stunning designs in a flash!
Because of the magnetic fixation, it is very rare that the structure breaks off and the little tot is forced to start again.
Isn’t this great for our lovely cubs who have almost zero patience for tasks that take too long?
Cons of Magna Tiles
They’re Quite Expensive
Well, there’s no denying it.
Magna Tiles are no cheap stuff.
Although the prices could be high because of the brand name, the Tiles are also made from high-grade ABS plastic, which is also expensive to purchase.
The ceramic magnets in the tiles make the price go even higher!
Tiles From a Single Set Are Not Good for Building Unique Shapes
Within the 100-piece set of Magna Tiles, there are only 5 different magnetic shapes.
This makes it difficult for your little one to make specific designs with the Magna Tiles.
The New-Style Magna-Tiles Seem To Have Weaker Magnets Than The Older Ones
If you’re looking to buy Magna-Tiles based on your experience with them two decades ago, well, I beg to disappoint you.
The current ones seem to be lacking in magnetic force. Maybe it’s due to the the safety regulations?
They connectors seem to be not as strong as in the older pieces, which means that building large shapes and free-standing structures might prove to be frustrating for players.
Photo by sonlandras