With additional reporting by Chris Lundy and Brenda Ruggiero
Blocks are a fundamental toy that all kids should own, and luckily for them, there's tons of options to choose from! We asked retailers about their best-selling construction toy sets to help narrow the field down. Check out the Top-10 construction toys below.
*No manufacturer paid to be included in this list. All products listed were designated by editorial staff without regard to the company's relationship with TOYDIRECTORY.com/TDmonthly Magazine.
This set includes 100 pieces of various colors to make creative construction projects and marble runs. Launch date: July 1, 2009. — Rebecca Goblish, owner of Picayune Toys in Dunwoody, Ga., told TDmonthlyin a May 2013 survey that Q-Ba-Maze is one of her best-selling construction toys. — Dean Smith, owner of Jazam Toys in Princeton, N.J., told TDmonthly in a May 2015 survey that this was a best-selling construction toy at their store.
Light Stax is a new award winning toy startup that launched in 2014 in Europe and the USA. Light Stax are beautifully illuminated construction blocks that use LED technology, but are still 100% compatible with existing traditional building blocks. Using our patented system, each Stax will magically light up as it is connected to a power base or any lit Stax. No special connectors or wires are needed. Just stack them and they light up! — David Stelzer, owner of Shananigans in Baltimore, Md., told TDmonthly in a May 2015 survey that this was a best-selling construction toy at their store.
This 85-piece set contains 72 easy-to-handle building blocks in a variety of brightly colored, interlocking geometric shapes, 8 wheels to construct buildings and vehicles with and 5 figurines. A convenient handled carrying case stores all the blocks neatly away when not in use. Awards: 2013 TDmonthly Seal of Approval — Mary Porter Green, owner of Curiostiy Zone in Ashburn, Va., told TDmonthly in a May 2015 survey that this was a best-selling construction toy at their store.
Revel with Unikitty in Cloud Cuckoo Land, the happiest, most positive and creative place in the universe! Join Emmet, Wyldstyle and all the master builders in this multi-colored playful paradise where the sun is always shining and a cute snail glides between the bright flowers. But beware! Unbeknown to Emmet, there’s a tracking device on his leg and Lord Business’ Executron has trailed him to the palace and is ready to handcuff him. Shoot flowers from the flower catapult to fend him off and help Emmet and Wyldstyle make a getaway! Includes 3 minifigures and accessories: Emmet, Wyldstyle and Executron, and 2 figures: Unikitty and a snail. — Deran Muckjian, owner of Catch a Falling Star in Lexington, Mass., told TDmonthly in a March 2014 survey that "By far, LEGO Movie product is No. 1" in their store. — In a May 2014 survey, four out of 11 retailers told TDmonthly that LEGO was their best-selling construction toy brand. — In a May 2014 survey, four out of 11 retailers told TDmonthlythat Lego was their best-selling line of licensed toys.
Build your own adventures with the LEGO® City Starter Set featuring 5 minifigures, an ambulance, police motorcycle, fire truck and accessories. — In a May 2015 survey, four of 11 retailers told TDmonthly that LEGO was their best-selling line of construction toys.
SmartMax Build & Light by SMART TOYS AND GAMES INC
Includes two LED-lit bars for building houses, towers, and other structures that light up and blink. The accompanying instruction guides help model construction ideas so children can learn how to create designs of varying shapes and heights. — Lisa Shinn, manager and buyer for Dancing Bear Toys in Frederick, Md., told TDmonthly in a May 2015 survey that this was a best-selling construction toy at their store.
118 piece Builderific with 4-pc toolset including power drill. Durable plastic. — Gregory Faith, owner of Inside Out Hobbies in Nashua, N.H., told TDmonthlyin a May 2015 survey that this was a best-selling construction toy at their store.
Take the ultimate safari adventure with this fully loaded 12 in 1 National Geographic Animals kit from Laser Pegs! Animal enthusiasts everywhere will love building models of their favorite wildlife friends like the Elephant, Giraffe, Lion, Rhino, and many more. Pump up your playtime by lighting up your creations to extend your safari well into the night! — Teresa Derry, owner of Annie's Toy Chest in Cocoa, Fla., told TDmonthly in a November 2014 survey that Laser Pegs is one of their store's top-2 best-selling toy lines.
Voyage to a distant galaxy or colonize a new world with this awesome 24 in 1 National Geographic Space kit from Laser Pegs! You are the astronaut as you build out of this world models like the Mars Voyager, Hover Vehicle, Alien Stunt Fighter, Star Cruiser, and many more. When space gets too dark light up your creations to keep exploring to the edge of the universe and beyond! — Teresa Derry, owner of Annie's Toy Chest in Cocoa, Fla., told TDmonthly in a May 2015 survey that this was a best-selling construction toy at their store.
This 48-piece set includes solid colored pieces, along with pieces with holes, curved pieces, a magnetic door and a wheeled piece. Magna-Tiles DX contains 12 small squares, four large squares, six isosceles triangles, 10 right triangles, 11 equilateral triangles, a wheeled piece, and arch and three special shapes. An idea guide is included. — In late summer 2010, five percent of 43 specialty retailers toldTDmonthly Magna-Tiles are an overall best-selling product. — In late Spring 2011, 25% of retailers mentioned Magna-Tiles as a best-selling construction toy. — As of 05/12/2011, this product had 5 out of 5 stars from 23 reviews on Amazon.com. — In a Summer 2012 survey, Diana Nelson, owner of Kazoo & Company in Denver, Col., told TDmonthly that Magnatiles were their overall best-selling toy.
Writer's Bio: Justina Huddleston graduated Magna Cum Laude from Emerson College with a BA in Writing, Literature, and Publishing in 2009. After graduating she was the on-site director of the Boston Children's Museum gift store for a year, selling educational, developmental, and creative activity toys that tied in with the museum's exhibits. Justina also interned at children's book publisher Candlewick Press before moving from Boston to Los Angeles, where she is now Editorial Director of TDmonthly Magazine. Read more articles by this author
Writer's Bio: Justina Huddleston graduated Magna Cum Laude from Emerson College with a BA in Writing, Literature, and Publishing in 2009. After graduating she was the on-site director of the Boston Children's Museum gift store for a year, selling educational, developmental, and creative activity toys that tied in with the museum's exhibits. Justina also interned at children's book publisher Candlewick Press before moving from Boston to Los Angeles, where she is now Editorial Director of TDmonthly Magazine. Read more articles by this author
