I’m wading into this theme because my married adult woman as well as I accept ii sons. Our oldest is vii as well as the youngest 4.
I beloved LEGO. Our boys beloved LEGO. I’ve spent untold hours edifice kits as well as random materials alongside my boys as well as volition buy the farm on to exercise so. I’m non publishing this to deter anyone from buying LEGO. Instead, this listing is meant to render other options whether a budget is a concern or you’re looking for a edifice toy that’s a lilliputian different.
LEGO isn’t the alone edifice toy inward town. We’ve researched as well as bought (or suggested equally gifts to household unit of measurement as well as friends) many alternatives to LEGO for our boys.
I’ve used many. Not all, hear you, simply many.
If for whatever argue yous are looking for a LEGO substitute, this is the identify for you.
Before I instruct into the list, at that topographic point are ii considerations when considering LEGO alternatives. They are:
1. LEGO Clones: What I hateful past times this is the pieces are the same to a greater extent than or less simply autumn nether a dissimilar brand. In fact, these truly snap alongside LEGO as well as hence they are a feasible alternative (often cheaper) that tin mix alongside your existing LEGO. The downside is lower resale value as well as security concerns.
2. Clickable or snappable toys: Another approach to LEGO alternatives are edifice type toys that aren’t LEGO or all that similar to LEGO.
3. Building toys generally: These are alternatives inward that they are edifice toys inward general.
Table of Contents
- A. LEGO Clones (compatible alongside LEGO)
- B. Similar Concept to LEGO: Click or snap together toys
- 10. Nanoblocks
- 11. Meccano
- 12. Straws as well as Connectors
- 13. Texo
- 14. ZOOB
- 15. ARCKIT
- 16. Qubits
- 17. Brackitz
- 18. Zometool
- 19. DUPLO®
- 20. Green Toys Blocks
- 21. Ever Block Systems
- 22. Bristle Blocks
- 23. Polydron
- 24. Picasso Tiles (Magnet Building Toys)
- 25. Magnetic Tiles past times Dreambuilder Toy
- 26. Marble Run past times Marble Genius
- C. Other Building Toys
Related: LEGO storage options
A. LEGO Clones (compatible alongside LEGO)
This firstly listing includes all brands that are compatible alongside LEGO bricks. This is possible because LEGO lost its lawsuit alongside Mega Brands.
A few considerations to maintain inward hear when buying LEGO clones is resale value as well as safety.
While we’ve mostly bought LEGO cook bricks, nosotros accept bought a few kits nether other brands. We accept a local toy shop that doesn’t sell LEGO simply instead Mega Brands, as well as hence when there, that’s what nosotros buy. They are compatible alongside LEGO bricks, as well as hence in ane trial done the kits nosotros mix it all inward the tubs.
When I went on a trip where I visited the Midway aircraft carrier inward San Diego, I bought my boy a Sluban cook Apache helicopter brick kit that was compatible alongside LEGO. I laid out the kit I bought below nether Sluban.
Here are compatible LEGO brick options:
1. Mega Brands
Mega Construx Masters of the Universe Castle Grayskull. Click ikon for pricing info.
Mega Brands is a Canadian toy companionship alongside several lines including Construx as well as Mega Bloks. Construx is for older kids as well as is compatible alongside LEGO bricks. Mega Bloks are compatible alongside DUPLO®.
Overall, people truly similar the Construx bricks. You tin build nostalgic characters as well as sets similar Masters of the Universe as well as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
2. Sluban
We bought this for our son. It was a skilful kit. Click ikon for pricing info.
Sluban is quite a bitch cheaper than LEGO as well as they offering a broad diversity of kits. However, for some kits, customers mentioned that the completed toy didn’t remain together well.
We bought a Sluban kit for our boy as well as I idea it was pretty skilful as well as I’ve built many LEGO kits over the years. The helicopter inward a higher identify was enterprise as well as fun to build. If yous similar military machine stuff, Sluban offers a skilful choice of this.
3. K’Nex
Click ikon for pricing.
I’ve never used K’Nex simply equally yous tin see at that topographic point are some clickable brick components to some of the sets. These clickable bricks exercise piece of work alongside LEGO.
4. Kre-O
Click ikon for pricing info.
If Star-Trek is your thing, Kre-O is for you. The pieces piece of work alongside LEGO. Other things yous tin build are Transformers as well as Dungeons as well as Dragons.
5. Laser Pegs
Click ikon for pricing info.
As yous tin see, the distinguishing characteristic of Laser Pegs is that the pieces are transparent as well as emit light. It’s a cool concept as well as adds a fun dimension to this LEGO alternative. Yes, the bricks piece of work alongside LEGO.
6. Flexo
Click ikon for pricing info.
Flexo clickable pieces piece of work alongside LEGO. In add-on to pieces clicking together, they curvature as well as hence yous tin exercise bendable creations which is a welcome additional feature. I tin see how having Flexo pieces inward a collection would cook for to a greater extent than interesting clickable brick creations.
7. BanBao
Click ikon for pricing info.
For the money, BanBao looks great. I’ve never bought a BanBao set, simply evidently it industrial plant alongside LEGO.
8. Bestoyz
Click ikon inward a higher identify for pricing info.
Like BanBao, I’ve never bought a Bestoyz kit simply it likewise industrial plant alongside LEGO.
9. LEGO Technic
Our boy received this LEGO Technic kit equally a gift as well as it’s amazing, simply non easy. Click ikon for pricing info.
While it’s the LEGO brand, the Technic edifice toy is something to consider equally your kids instruct older. It’s advanced LEGO which tin build some amazing things alongside motors as well as plenty of moving parts. It’s to a greater extent than complicated for sure, simply the heaven is the limit alongside what yous tin build.
B. Similar Concept to LEGO: Click or snap together toys
10. Nanoblocks
Click ikon for pricing info.
While Nanoblocks appear to live compatible alongside LEGO, they exercise NOT piece of work alongside LEGO. The bricks are smaller as well as won’t snap to LEGO. The smaller bricks offering to a greater extent than detailed builds. Some of the architectural-inspired kits expect amazing (I’m a large castle fan).
11. Meccano
Click ikon for pricing info.
Meccano has been or as well as hence for a long fourth dimension as well as it’s nonetheless a keen edifice toy. It’s a fight to a greater extent than piece of cake having to screw or bolt pieces together, simply it gives yous plenty of functional edifice options such equally the operational crane above.
12. Straws as well as Connectors
Click ikon for pricing info.
Our boys accept the straws as well as connectors toy. While simple, they occupation it quite a bit. It’s awesome for edifice fort frames. Kids equally immature equally iii tin seat them together simply they don’t truly instruct constructing anything useful until historic catamenia iv or 5.
13. Texo
Click ikon for pricing info.
I’m unfamiliar alongside Texo simply it’s a straightforward woods edifice toy.
14. ZOOB
Click ikon for pricing info.
Our oldest boy played alongside ZOOB at diverse friends’ houses as well as he liked it a lot. I recollect ane fourth dimension when he didn’t desire to move out equally he was engrossed inward edifice a ZOOB creation. Because pieces are flexible via the connection, yous tin build bending, flexible creations which distinguish it from LEGO.
15. ARCKIT
Click ikon for pricing info.
ARCKIT looks similar a professional person toy simply it’s skilful for kids who similar edifice realistic creations.
16. Qubits
Click ikon for pricing info.
Qubits is some other edifice toy that tin exercise all kinds of shapes as well as structures. Like all edifice toys listed here, it engages kids’ imagination. The pieces snap together as well as tin curvature in ane trial seat together.
17. Brackitz
Click ikon for pricing info.
As yous tin see from the inward a higher identify photo, Brackitz kits enable your kids to build fun 3D creations that truly work. I discovery the representative of the Ferris cycle compelling because our boy wanted to build a Ferris cycle alongside Technic LEGO, simply the ii of us couldn’t figure it out. Some kits come upwardly alongside pulley systems, which I tin tell yous from experience, is loved past times kids.
18. Zometool
Click ikon for pricing info.
If yous tyke enjoys edifice 3D shapes, this could live a skilful toy for them. Based on researching completed projects, I didn’t discovery whatever completed projects yous could play with, simply instead, the fun is coming upwardly alongside interesting shapes as well as designs.
19. DUPLO®
Click ikon for pricing info.
When our oldest was 2 I was chomping at the fight to start edifice LEGO alongside him. I played alongside LEGO equally a tyke as well as couldn’t hold back to fountain dorsum in. However, two-year-olds are likewise immature for regular LEGO. LEGO’S solution is their DUPLO® draw which is larger blocks. Both of our sons enjoyed this.
20. Green Toys Blocks
Click ikon for pricing info.
Green Toys Blocks are a “green” toy inward that they’re made from recycled plastic as well as don’t incorporate BPA or PVC. You tin launder them inward the dishwasher. Great for really immature kids.
21. Ever Block Systems
Source: Ever Block Systems
I think Ever Block Systems, if yous accept the space, are awesome. Kids tin build forts, walls, rooms, shelves, etc. The affair is yous demand plenty of infinite as well as they aren’t inexpensive if yous desire to purchase plenty to truly build something cool.
22. Bristle Blocks
Click ikon for pricing info.
In our house, nosotros telephone telephone Bristle Blocks “comb toys” as well as they were a striking when our sons were young. The pieces really easily connect together as well as hence that toddlers tin build things pretty easily.
23. Polydron
Click ikon for pricing info.
Polydron toy kits exercise 3D creations which tin live fun. If yous accept plenty of them, yous tin build large structures which kids similar doing.
24. Picasso Tiles (Magnet Building Toys)
Click ikon for pricing info.
I don’t truly see the appeal of magent toys simply both my boys bask them when they instruct their hands on them. We never bought them whatever because some of their friends accept them equally good equally a community pump nosotros frequent. I think they similar the magnet aspect of them (magnets seem to fascinate kids).
25. Magnetic Tiles past times Dreambuilder Toy
Click ikon for pricing info.
These magnet tiles are similar to the apartment panel Picasso tiles inward a higher identify except these aren’t enterprise panels.
26. Marble Run past times Marble Genius
Click ikon for pricing info.
While for slightly older kids (i.e. non toddlers), at that topographic point are few kids who don’t similar creating marble runs. Not alone exercise they beloved edifice the run, simply they bask playing alongside it in ane trial built. They tin live challenging inward that the creation needs to live designed as well as hence that the marble tin successfully instruct inward through the course, simply non overly complicated that kids can’t figure it out.
Our oldest has a marble run laid as well as loves it.
And here’s a to a greater extent than advanced marble run alternative past times GraviTrax:
Click ikon for pricing info.
C. Other Building Toys
27. Wood Blocks
Click ikon for pricing info.
Our oldest boy loved wooden blocks equally a toddler. It doesn’t instruct whatever simpler than this, simply he played alongside them daily edifice towers, walls, as well as whatever else inspired him. If yous accept a difficult floor, instruct prepared for a lot of crashing blocks… it’s loud as well as jolting.
28. Matchbox
Click ikon for pricing info. Our youngest boy has this garage as well as loves playing alongside it. It was his firstly Matchbox structure.
Our youngest boy at the historic catamenia of iii as well as directly 4, loves Matchbox tracks as well as structures. Not all kids do, simply those who exercise bask them for hours. We were kinda clueless inward the get-go equally to the divergence betwixt Matchbox as well as Hot Wheels as well as hence nosotros accept both types. Our boy doesn’t care. He loves playing alongside both of them.
The Matchox structures are fun for “real world” play piece the Hot Wheels tracks (see below) are fun for racing cars as well as creating fun tracks.
29. Hot Wheels
Click ikon for pricing info. Our youngest also has this fun track. I bask playing alongside this equally good trying to blast cars through the corkscrew track.
Hot Wheels tracks tin live a blast because yous burn downwards out the cars from a launcher as well as see how good yous tin instruct through diverse rail configurations. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 skilful old game of boom upwardly is fun too.
30. Wooden Trains
Click images for pricing info.
I believe I’ve yet to run across parents inward our cervix of the woods who hasn’t bought their immature kids some shape of wooden prepare rail system. There are several brands to select from. Thomas as well as Friends is really pop as well as item is amazing, simply it’s the almost expensive. You tin also guy interchangeable rail from Melissa & Doug equally good equally others. Thomas as well as Friends is the LEGO of wooden prepare sets, simply yous tin instruct much cheaper options that are compatible alongside Thomas as well as Friends.
Over the years, our sons accept built upwardly quite a collection equally a upshot of birthdays as well as Christmas’s. While I prefer edifice LEGO, our boys accept spent countless hours creating cities as well as rail configurations.
31. Play Mobil
Click ikon for pricing info.
Play Mobil is a really pop toy. There isn’t much edifice to do, simply yous tin mix as well as tally sets to exercise some amazing scenes. We never bought them whatever Play Mobil because their grandparents accept it as well as hence it’s prissy to offering a novel toy when they instruct there.
32. Lincoln Logs
Click ikon for pricing info.
I was surprised to see that Lincoln Logs are nonetheless available. This was ane of the firstly toys I recollect having equally a kid. We never bought them for our kids because they truly liked the Thomas as well as Friends prepare stuff, simply Lincoln Logs are a keen edifice mode toy that kids bask to this day.
Source: homestratosphere.com
EmoticonEmoticon