The 12 Best Magnetic Toys for Tots and Kids

First up on our list of the best magnetic toys is this puzzle game. The bright board encourages curious kiddos to guide magnetic balls into illustrated homes of the same color, using an attached wand. Not only will it keep your little one engaged, it will also promote hand-eye coordination and sorting skills—plus, the portable design makes it a top-notch toy for the car. Best of all, the magnetic pieces in this parent-approved pick are securely inside the board, making this a super-safe magnet toy option.

Introduce your little learner to the concept of magnetism with this colorful safari set. Each animal is made from soft rubber and large magnetic bars for your kiddo’s safety. The 18-piece set will allow your tot to mix and match critters by clicking together different heads, tails and magnets. What’s more, these animals are compatible with any other SmartMax play set.

Have a mini architect in the making at home? Inspire your kiddo to get creative and show off their construction skills with this magnetic building toy. The set includes 42 pieces that your little one can use to create a tall tower, a sweet home, a too-cool rocketship or anything else they have in mind.

Your little fashionista may not love getting dressed in the morning, but they’re sure to have heart eyes for this magnetic dress-up doll toy. It comes with almost 80 pieces, allowing your tot to mix and match all sorts of outfits. Unlike other magnetic doll toys, this pick even comes with stands so your child can move the characters (and their pets!) around, promoting imaginative play. Better yet, it comes with a handy wooden storage tray.

Tiles are a go-to magnetic toy—and for good reason. The versatile playthings can be used to build almost any 2D or 3D design your kiddo can think up. This multicolored set comes with 32 pieces for endless play opportunities, and they’re fully compatible with other Magna-Tiles kits. Best of all, these creative magnet toys will teach your child about geometry from an early age.

Sometimes the simplest toys spark the most creative thinking. Take this magnetic shape toy, for instance. It consists of seven foam shapes that your kiddo can mix and match to build a one-of-a-kind design. Once your child is slightly older, they can follow the double-sided activity cards for more of a challenge.

Magnetic drawing toys offer all the fun of getting creative minus the mess, and this pick is no exception. The interactive board is equipped with an animated screen and colorful buttons to teach children about numbers and letters. When your little one is finished practicing the alphabet (or learning how to spell their name!), they can draw a sweet picture using the stencils, shapes and stylus.

Toy cars are a classic for a reason, and this set gives the timeless plaything a STEM-inspired update. The set contains 42 magnetic pieces that your child can use to construct their own vehicles, including cars, trucks and planes. Your tot will love showing off their imaginative creations, and you’ll love how this kit comes with a storage container for when playtime is over.

Choo choo! All aboard for open-ended play. This set includes eight colorful wooden train cars. Each piece is equipped with wheels and magnetic connectors, allowing your kiddo to mix and match the cars any way they see fit. Better yet, you can neatly store the set in the wooden box provided when playtime is over.

Familiarize your little learner with engineering concepts early on with the help of this magnetic gears toy. Each set comes with six vibrant pieces that can be played with on the fridge or any other magnetic surface (a clean cookie sheet would work well!). Watch your child’s face light up as they discover how the gears work together, as they build swirling combinations again and again. Better yet, this magnet toy rings in at under $15, making it a budget-friendly option to boot.

Is preschool right around the corner? Whether it’s in the near future or still a while away, this musical fridge magnet toy is sure to have your child feeling confident about their language skills. Suitable for kids between the ages of 2 and 5, this set comes with 26 alphabet tiles for your little one to discover. When they choose a letter to go into the school bus-shaped magnet toy, they’ll hear all about how to use and pronounce it, helping them boost their vocabulary while also promoting fine motor skills.

Last but not least is a wooden magnet toy designed for up to two players, making it perfect for siblings or friends. Scatter the wooden fish on any surface (like a toddler table set or a cushioned floor mat, for example), then spin the colorful dial to find out which critter you’ll have to catch. Your little one will love using their mini fishing rod, and they’ll be learning early math skills as they do so.