Don’t get me wrong, Lego bricks are great, but they aren’t the be-all-end-all of toy building playsets. There are other building toys that are just as much fun and equally as awesome! So if you’re looking for alternatives to Lego bricks, one good option to consider is K’Nex Toys.
For children who love to build and design during playtime, K’Nex is a brand that focuses on innovative building skills. From the very simple block building to more advanced moveable creations, this company has something for everyone.
Differentiating itself from traditional Lego designs, K’Nex building sets use pieces that are more than just simple clip together blocks. If your child is a fan of Lego like toys but is looking for some variety in their designs, then one of the toys below will be a great way to go.
These toys have appeared in many different holiday gift guides, some are Toy of The Year finalists, and all are sure to bring hours of entertainment to any child willing to bring the structures to life. With building toys for kids of all ages, your child can grow with the brand as they get older.
For peace of mind, each K’Nex set has a parts guarantee in case anything is missing or broken. These are also great educational toys and many of them are considered STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) approved activities for children of all ages.
Here are 4 awesome alternatives to Lego bricks your kids are sure to love!
On This Page You'll Find
Electric Inferno Roller Coaster Building Set
K’Nex Electric Inferno Roller Coaster Building Set Found Here
Nothing is more fun than a giant roller coaster that fits in your living room. The K’Nex Electric Inferno Roller Coaster Building Set contains 639 pieces your children can use to create an electric roller coaster. At the end, they will be rewarded for all their hard work with a car that can go on the tracks and travel through all of the loops, twists, and turns.
The roller coaster ride included in the directions is almost 3 feet tall and contains a motor and chain lift so the coaster car can be lifted and placed safely at the starting line. With a little ingenuity, multiple types of coasters can be created from this playset.
It spurs the imagination and fosters creative thinking as kids work out engineering and design aspects to create a truly marvelous roller coaster. If you need ideas or help along the way, there are additional design instructions available for download. For hours of entertainment, take it down and build it up over and over again, never using the same design twice.
K’Nex K-Force Flash Fire Motorized Blaster Building Set
K’NEX K-Force Flash Fire Motorized Blaster Building Set Found Here
When you think of foam darts and blasters, you probably think of Nerf toys like the Nerf N-Strike Elite Retaliator, Zombie Strike Crossfire Bow, or N-Strike Elite Centurion Mega Blaster. But there’s another alternative if your son or daughter enjoys toys where they can fire darts at you, their friends, or their siblings. It’s called the K’Nex K-Force Flash Fire Motorized Blaster, and it’s a new and exciting way to get the same action by allowing children to build their very own personalized blaster.
There are 288 parts and pieces that all click together to create an actual motorized blaster. It is battery operated and can fire up to 10 darts in succession. Even better, the darts can travel up to 75 feet, which kids absolutely love. Just beware because you’re never out of range! 😉
The directions show plans for 7 different blasters, giving every child the option to create the one they like the best. Or, simply build one and then another until you’ve tried all 7. Inventive children and those who like to experiment with building things can also make customized shooters of their own for a truly personalized toy.
Lincoln Logs – Lake Union Lodge
Lincoln Logs Lake Union Lodge Found Here
Since 1916, Lincoln Logs have been a household favorite among building toys. Even though there are some very advanced building kits on the market today, this classic toy is still a fantastic gift for any preschooler.
The Lincoln Logs Lake Union Lodge is a classic set with 88 pieces. The logs themselves are made of wood and fit together easily to build entire buildings. There are step-by-step instructions that are easy for you and your toddler to follow, so you can enjoy the building process together.
The great thing about these beginning sets is they help improve fine motor skills, hand eye coordination, engineering imagination, and give children a better sense of spatial awareness. Included with the log building set is a miniature blue mill worker who makes an excellent companion for gathering wood for your next project.
K’Nex Thrill Rides – 3-in-1 Classic Amusement Park Building Set
K’NEX Thrill Rides 3-in-1 Classic Amusement Park Building Set Found Here
If you want something to keep your child building and creating for hours, the K’Nex Thrill Rides 3-in-1 Amusement Park Building Set is the toy you should consider getting him or her. Perfect for boys and girls, this amusement park set can be used to build three different rides.
Because only one ride can be built at a time, kids must master one ride before they move on to the next. There are 744 pieces, and each ride is battery powered to perform certain types of movement.
The tallest and most recognizable ride is the Ferris Wheel, which stands at a whopping three feet. It also spins just like a traditional Ferris Wheel would at a fair. All the pieces are super colorful and easily clip together.
The other two rides included in this amusement park building set are a six seated swing ride which rotates in a circle and a boom ride which tips back and forth like a giant see-saw. Your child can pick his or her favorite ride to build or attempt to create new rides for friends and family. At this amusement park, the fun never stops!
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