Every kid has that one toy that’s always a hit, no matter how many they collect. For me, it was baby dolls. I probably had about a hundred by the time I outgrew them. My brother never found an art supply or comic book he didn’t want to add to his collection. And don’t even ask me how many toy cars my husband still had in storage when we met — it’s an embarrassingly high number.

For my kids, that go-to toy has always been MAGNA-TILES sets. They’re my favorite gift to bring to a birthday party, and there’s always a set or two under the Christmas tree in my house.

MAGNA-TILES brand news is always front-page in my house, but if you aren’t quite as up-to-date as my crew, allow me to fill you in on why MAGNA-TILES is our favorite brand and how these top-notch magnetic construction toys have gotten even cooler lately. They’re a perfect holiday gift for any kid in your life.

First Things First — They’re Incredibly Durable

My kids still play with the OG pieces my 11-year-old got for his third birthday! That first huge set of classic pieces sparked a total obsession. Since that day, we have added two more kids and about a zillion more MAGNA-TILES products. Their crisscross lattice and strong rivets keep the magnets in the toys where they belong, allowing my kids to play for years. I trust their claim that every MAGNA-TILES piece is constructed with kids’ safety in mind because I’ve seen it with my own eyes.

Arctic Animals 25-Piece Set

MAGNA-TILES Sets Have Evolved From Cool To Even Cooler

As if the Classic 100-Piece Set wasn’t already the most beloved playset in our playroom, the MAGNA-TILES brand went and added animals. The Arctic Animals set joined our fam a couple of years ago, and my kids still remark on the cuteness of the baby polar bear.

My oldest son had recently declared the end of his dinosaur era — and then he saw the Dino World XL 50-Piece Set. It’s rad. It contains six dinos, sixteen gigantic tiles, and even magnetic trees.

Dino World XL 50-Piece Set

I’m not saying that MAGNA-TILES Dinos were all it took to inspire my son to reenter his “paleontology era,” but I am saying that after seeing it, he made a convincing case for adding the set to our collection. You know, for science.

2023 Toy Foundation Preschool Toy Of The Year? None Other Than The MAGNA-TILES Downhill Duo 40-Piece Set

See? You don’t even have to take my word for it. The toy experts at The Toy Foundation declared MAGNA-TILES Downhill Duo the Preschool Toy of 2023 at their annual Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards — and this set is selling out across the country. But don’t worry, I hear more sets may be coming just in time for Christmas.

Downhill Duo 40-Piece Set

If anyone had asked my preschooler, she would have thrown in another vote for MAGNA-TILES Downhill Duo. My kids love setting up the Roads and racing the Vehicles and Figures. Since the Duo comes with two Dashers, we grabbed the extra Roads and set of three additional Dashers, too! Now we have enough cars for everyone and even extras for guests.

Screen-Free Imaginative Play

In a world where everything lights up, makes noise, and sparks competition, MAGNA-TILES sets are a breath of fresh air. When they’re playing with MAGNA-TILES toys, my kids run the show. They’re always excited to show me what they’ve created, but even when I bring home a new set, they don’t need me to teach them anything before they dive in.

My kids are 11, 7, and 3, and each of them finds a way to play that makes them feel engaged and interested in their own unique way. The oldest teaches his brother who teaches the baby sister. Biggest brother engineers the structures; his little siblings help flesh out the stories. They count the pieces to make sure the sets are all intact. Hey, that’s math.

As a parent, I love MAGNA-TILES playsets because there is no “goal” — nobody wins, and more importantly, nobody loses. It’s not a competition. The whole point is just to play using simple toys that don’t come with pre-written lore or rules of engagement. Kids are limited only by their own imaginations. Nobody tell them that they’re learning, too.