We love that they can go from jewelry to helicopter to snake to mouse to daisy chain to wearable art-really only limited by your child’s imagination. Clixo's bendable design allows them to be manipulated into unexpected shapes and designs, encouraging improvisation, experimentation, and creative thinking. These innovative open-play building kits are part magnetic origami and part building blocks. A magnetic origami building kit: Clixoĭeceptively simple, these reinforced synthetic paper building pieces go from 2-D to 3-D with a satisfying magnetic snap, making for endless building possibilities. With features for everyone from toddlers to tweens, these sets are sure to inspire hours of play. Here we share our picks for our favorite blocks, magnets, Legos, STEM building sets, and more. ►Stumped on the best kids' gift this holiday? This is our favorite STEM toy ever ►Holiday gift guides 2022: Shop for everyone on your list with this ultimate gift guide There are mounds of research that suggests that free-form block play helps with problem-solving, spatial reasoning, and spatial awareness, while structured block play-like following the directions of a Lego set-helps kids as young as 3 develop in all areas, from pre-reading to math to social skills. Sign up for our newsletter to get all the best gift guides, deals and holiday planning advice. Whether your kid is more mathematical or they are the type to get lost in imaginative play, building sets are the ultimate STEM and STEAM gift and are a great choice for any type of kid. From Legos to Lincoln Logs to Magna-tiles and more, building sets are classic toys that have loads of longevity.

If you’re going to buy one big investment toy this year, make it a building or construction set. Purchases you make through our links may earn us a commission.

Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed’s editors.

Plastic interlocking blocks for kids