So your little one can build the colorful fortress of their dreams.
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There are so many truly great building toys out there, some of which have been beloved by parents and kids alike for decades. Magna-Tiles are among those products.
Magna-Tiles are great for a host of reasons, most notably because they can age with your child and span many years of play that promotes gross motor development, spatial recognition, problem-solving and more, says Rachel Rothman, the chief technologist and executive technical director at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she oversees toy testing.
"Magna-Tiles can help foster creativity, confidence and independence as kids explore and build more," says Rothman. "When you have multiple children playing together, it can help with social skills, whether in the form of collaborating, turn-taking or learning patience while they wait."
But while we enthusiastically recommend Magna-Tiles, they aren't the only option out there for parents and caregivers who hope to offer this style of play at home or in the classroom. Some of the best alternatives to Magna-Tiles are compatible with the original and only serve to expand on play potential. (Any seasoned parent knows you can never have too many magnetic tiles!) Other options aren't compatible, but offer something unique — like wooden materials, expanded colors or the ability to make 3D structures.
To find the best alternatives to Magna-Tiles, the Good Housekeeping Institute tested top-sellers, including PicassoTiles, Connetix and more. When it comes to picking the best toys for kids, our Lab experts look at a variety of aspects, including construction quality, product safety standards and the types of sets offered.
Below, you'll find our reviews of the best Magna-Tile alternatives, plus additional information on age specifications, product compatibility and price. For even more top-tested parenting products, be sure to check out the winners of our annual Parenting Awards.
Though Magna-Tiles and Connetix may look exceptionally similar at first glance (Connetix is one of the closest alternatives!), there are notable differences in the design. For starters, Connetix tiles have a beveled design the brand says not only improves upon durability, but also helps the colorful pieces refract even more light for visual interest. Some say the magnets are stronger, too, but note that this makes each piece slightly heavier than Magna-Tiles.
The standard sets come with large and small squares, as well as three sizes of triangles. But, as is the case with Magna-Tiles, shoppers have plenty of other choices, including special sets that come with cars and other uniquely shaped tiles of varying sizes.
And, yes, these colorful tiles are compatible with Magna-Tiles, so they'll seamlessly fit into any collection. Our kid testers particularly loved this flexibility, noting "I can build towers as tall as I am!"
Like Connetix, PicassoTiles look very similar to Magna-Tiles, but has one very significant draw: These magnetic tiles are a fraction of the price. Offering unbeatable value, we've found that PicassoTiles have a solid design that can withstand the rigors of toddler-style play.
Product offerings mirror that of Magna-Tiles, too. The brand offers everything from standard squares, rectangles and triangles to unique sets featuring race cars and tracks, tubes to build marble runs and even character action figures to expand imaginative play. And, yes, they're compatible with Magna-Tiles.
If there's any downside to these magnetic tiles, it's in the overall build. They're not reinforced with metal the same way Magna-Tiles are, and some shapes don't sit perfectly together. For example, the triangles do not create a perfect circle when assembled together — but Magna-Tiles do.
Like Magna-Tiles, Magformers delivers a STEM toy that harnesses the power of magnets to help kids use their imagination to build all kinds of structures. The important difference? Because of the placement of the magnetics — on the exterior edges — Magformers are better suited for creating 3D shapes and structures.
This is particularly fun for older kids who may be aging out of standard tower-building abilities offered via other magnetic tiles like Magna-Tiles. They can be used to create anything from simple shapes to complex models, and as such, start to teach older toddlers and kids about the basic principles of physics and engineering.
Magformers come in a variety of sets, so your family can choose the one that's most appropriate for your child's age and interests. Basic sets include 24 tiles, but more advanced options offer upwards of 100 in all different shapes, sizes and colors for endless building possibilities. Unfortunately, they aren't compatible with Magna-Tiles, PicassoTiles or Connetix.
Unlike Magna-Tiles and many other magnetic toys, Tegu blocks are made of high-quality wood. For parents who prefer to avoid plastic, it's a nice alternative. The toy functions in much the same way as their plastic counterparts like Magna-Tiles. Tegu's magnetic blocks can be used to build anything the imagination can dream up — simple towers or intricate structures and characters.
Though not compatible with other brands of magnetic tiles, there are a wide range of sets available — you won't ever feel limited. Choose from standard shapes in various colors, or opt for something more complex, like pieces specifically painted to look like race cars, robots, aircraft and more. As long as you stay within the Tegu brand, they're all interchangeable.
Introduced to the U.S. market in 1997, Magna-Tiles are undoubtedly well-constructed and offer plenty of opportunity for enriching play (not to mention little ones really do gravitate towards them). They're also surprisingly expensive. While smaller expansion sets start around $20, a classic 100-piece construction set costs $120.
If you're struggling with sticker shock, know that price has a direct correlation to quality here. Because Magna-Tiles contain tiny magnets that can cause serious medical complications if ingested, the product is labeled for ages 3+ and the brand rigorously tests for performance and safety through a transparent process. Among other tests on durability, Magna-Tiles are dropped, compressed and submerged in water. The brand claims the tiles don't contain any BPA, phthalates, PVC, latex or toxic materials, either. "It's a testament to the company that in 25-plus years there has never been a recall," says Rothman.
While Magna-Tiles may be the most widely recognizable brand of magnetic tiles, there are many alternatives out there, some better than others.
The most direct comparison is Magna-Tiles vs. PicassoTiles. Visually, the two products are very similar, so you could easily mistake one for the other, but there are some notable differences. For starters, although both brands claim their tiles are safe to use and non-toxic, BPA-free and lead-free, Magna-Tiles offers consumers a bit more information on product testing. But if price is a driving factor for you, PicassoTiles are significantly less expensive.
Connetix is another brand of magnetic tiles getting a lot of attention these days. While these tiles are even more expensive than Magna-Tiles, they are said to be even more durable and scratch-resistant than the original.
Of course, there are also a host of other magnetic tiles out there, but Rothman recommends exercising caution and avoiding cheap products from un-proven brands, noting that some have "fallen apart" during our own Lab tests and, as such, are "not safe" in her opinion.
Good news: Magna-Tiles are compatible with other brands of magnetic tiles, most notably PicassoTiles and Connetix, so your little one can build to their heart's content using multiple sets.
It's worth noting that sizes, shapes and even the weight of the tiles vary slightly from brand to brand, which may limit the ability to create certain shapes or structures — like a perfect circle.
Similarly, Magna-Tiles may not be compatible with other types of magnetic toys, like Magformers and Tegu, because of magnet placement. Though the toys may technically adhere together, you won't be able to build sturdy structures using the various products interchangeably.
Magnetic tiles like Magna-Tiles contain very small magnets that can pose a serious health threat if ingested. Because of this, the product is rated for ages 3+ and should be used under close parental supervision. "If you ever notice a crack or break in any of your tiles, immediately remove from play and discard," says Rothman.
This article was written by Brigitt Earley, a seasoned freelance writer with extensive experience testing and writing about consumer products, including children's toys. She's also a mom to four toddlers who have played with three out of the four products recommended in this guide.
To write this story, she worked under the guidance of Rachel Rothman, chief technologist and executive technical director at the Good Housekeeping Institute. Rothman has a B.S.E. in mechanical engineering and applied mechanics with a mathematics minor from the University of Pennsylvania. She has been evaluating juvenile products (including high chairs, strollers and car seats) for 15 years. She has been a judge for Good Housekeeping's Parenting Awards since its inception as well as other industry awards, including the Best of Parenting at CES and JPMA Parenting Awards. Plus, as a mom to three kids under six, she's personally tested many of the products GH recommends in real life. She has vetted and tested all of the products featured in this guide.
When testing magnetic toys, we first look to be sure each passes federal toy safety standards. Toys should have no sharp or hazardous pieces, and any toys age-graded for children under 3 must have no parts that are so small they could pose a choking hazard. We check to be sure the magnetic parts are strong enough to hold together but not so strong that anything is difficult for a child to take apart and rearrange. Also, the magnets must be securely inside the toys. Next, we source feedback from families and real kids, as we want to be sure a toy is engaging not just right out of the box, but over time.
Brigitt is a writer, editor and craft stylist with nearly 15 years of experience. She specializes in lifestyle topics, including home, health, parenting, beauty, style, food, entertaining, travel and weddings. She has written for Glamour, People, Good Housekeeping, Women's Health, Real Simple, Martha Stewart, Apartment Therapy, The Spruce, and more.
Rachel Rothman was the chief technologist and executive technical director of the Good Housekeeping Institute for over 15 years, overseeing testing methodology, implementation and reporting for all GH Labs. She also managed GH's research division and the analysis of applicants for the GH Seal and all other testing emblems.
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