If you are searching for a magnetic toys Christmas gift, you are probably after something that will still be played with in February, not just on Christmas morning. Magnetic building sets are a good fit for that. One set can become a house, a tower, a garage or a castle, and it looks different every time your child sits down with it.
The range can feel confusing, though. There are tiles, blocks, figures, cars and a race track, in sets of 2 to 153 pieces. This guide explains the differences in plain language, so you can pick a gift your child will actually use.
Why a magnetic toys Christmas gift works so well
A good Christmas gift does three things. It makes a child's eyes light up when it is unwrapped, it holds attention for longer than a day or two, and it fits the age of the child. Magnetic building toys tick all three boxes for many families.
The pieces snap together and pull towards each other, so even a young builder gets quick results. A flat tile that clicks onto another tile feels satisfying straight away. There is no long manual to read and nothing to assemble before the fun starts. Children can follow their own ideas, and that is where creativity comes in.
These are the four things we say about Tilesminds sets, and they are the things worth checking in any magnetic toy:
- Made from recycled plastic: the sets are made from recycled plastic.
- Non-toxic material: the material is non-toxic.
- Strong magnets: the pieces hold together well, so builds stay up while your child plays.
- Suitable from age 3 (3+): the sets are suitable from age 3, and the products are listed for ages 3 to 12.
That age range matters for gifting. A set bought for a 3-year-old can still be interesting years later, because the building becomes more ambitious as your child grows.
Magnetic tiles as a Christmas gift: the best place to start
If you are looking for a Christmas gift with magnetic tiles, the flat, colourful tiles are the classic choice. You can lay them flat, fold them into walls, and turn them into 3D shapes. They suit first-time builders, and they still hold interest for older children who want bigger projects.
For most families we would start with the Magnetic Tiles 64 Pieces set. It is large enough to build more than a single small shape, so your child can make a proper house or a tall tower with room around it. It is not so big that it feels like a huge commitment. It currently costs €29.99.
The 64-piece set is a sensible choice if:
- this is your child's first magnetic building set,
- you want one main gift under the tree rather than several small ones,
- you are buying for a child between 3 and 12 and want a set that is not too small or too big.
Magnetic tiles Christmas gift: choosing the right set size
Set size is the biggest decision once you have settled on tiles. More pieces mean bigger builds and less running out of tiles halfway through a project. Fewer pieces mean a lower price and a smaller box to store.
A smaller set: 48 pieces
The Magnetic Tiles 48 Pieces set is the most compact option in the tile range. It suits younger children, or families who want a gift that is easy to tidy away. It is €29.99. If your child is new to building, 48 tiles are plenty to explore shapes and learn how the tiles fit together.
The bigger gift: 125 pieces
If you want the gift to feel generous, or you have two children who will build together, the Magnetic Tiles 125 Pieces set gives plenty of room for large projects such as a multi-room house, a tall tower or a whole street. It is €42.00. More tiles also help siblings share a set without arguing over who gets the last one.
A themed option: the Princess Set
If your child loves princesses, the Magnetic Tiles Princess Set (50 pieces) adds a theme to the tile format. It is currently €22.99. It is a good pick when you know your child will be more excited by a themed set than by a plain one. The princess theme belongs to this set only. The other tile sets are not themed.
A Christmas gift for kids: tiles or blocks?
This is where gift buyers often get confused. Tiles and blocks are different products, and they are not interchangeable. Tiles are flat pieces. Blocks are cubes. They build differently, and they look different when finished.
Tiles are good for open structures with walls, roofs and windows. Blocks are good for chunky, solid builds that stack like a classic block set.
Tilesminds has two block sets, and both have a Minecraft theme:
- The Magnetic Blocks 104 Pieces set is a Minecraft-themed block set, and it is €29.99.
- The Magnetic Blocks ICE 118 Pieces set has an ice and Minecraft theme, and it is €29.99.
If your child already plays Minecraft or likes that blocky look, either block set can be a very good gift. If you are not sure, tiles are usually the more flexible choice, because they suit a wider range of building ideas. Because blocks and tiles are different products, you should decide which shape your child will enjoy more before you order.
Add-ons that make a good second gift or stocking filler
Not every gift has to be a big box. If your child already has a magnetic set, or you want something smaller for the stocking, these add-ons are worth a look.
Magnetic Cars (2 pieces)
The Magnetic Cars 2 Pieces set is an expansion for a building set. It is €14.99. A house is fun, but a house with a car to park in the garage invites a lot more pretend play. Note that cars are a different type of product from tiles or blocks.
Magnetic Figures (4 pieces)
The Magnetic Figures 4 Pieces set gives children little characters to live in what they build. It is €14.99, which makes it an easy stocking filler. Figures are a separate product from tiles and blocks, so think of them as an extra rather than a building set.
Race track: the Orbit set (153 pieces)
If your child would rather race than build houses, look at the Magnetic Race Track Orbit set with 153 pieces. It is €34.99. It combines building with racing, so the fun is partly in designing the track and partly in using it. It is a different kind of product from the tile and block sets, so it works best for a child who already loves cars and tracks.
Which set fits which child?
Here is a quick way to match a set to a child, based on what you know about them.
- First magnetic set, age 3 and up: the 48-piece or 64-piece tile sets.
- Child who builds big and often: the 125-piece tile set.
- Child who loves princesses: the 50-piece Princess Set.
- Minecraft fan: the 104-piece block set or the 118-piece ICE block set.
- Child who loves cars and racing: the Orbit race track, with the 2-piece cars as an extra.
- Small gift or stocking filler: the 4-piece figures or the 2-piece cars.
Practical tips before you order a magnetic gift
A few small checks make the difference between a gift that works and a gift that disappoints.
- Check the shape. Tiles are flat and blocks are cubes. Choose the shape that matches what your child likes to build.
- Think about who is playing. If two children will share, a larger set avoids arguments.
- Keep the age listing in mind. The sets are suitable from age 3 (3+) and are listed for ages 3 to 12. Use your own judgement for your child and for any younger siblings in the house.
- Add a small extra. A set of cars or figures costs little, and it gives the main gift more ways to be played with.
- Order in good time. Popular gifts are easier to choose when you are not in a rush in the last days before Christmas.
Our recommendation
For most children, the 64-piece tile set is the best all-round magnetic toys Christmas gift. It is big enough for real building and easy enough to start with. It is made from recycled plastic, it is a non-toxic material, it has strong magnets, and it is suitable from age 3 (3+). If you want to go bigger, the 125-piece set is the upgrade. If you want to go themed, the Princess Set and the Minecraft block sets are there.
Whichever you choose, you are giving your child something they can build with in many different ways, rather than a toy that does one thing. That is a good reason to put a magnetic set under the tree.
Magnetic Tiles 64 Pieces · €29.99
Frequently asked questions
What is the best magnetic toy to give as a Christmas gift?
For most children, the Magnetic Tiles 64 Pieces set is a good all-round choice. It is big enough for varied building and works for a first set. For larger builds, choose the 125-piece set.
What age are Tilesminds magnetic toys suitable for?
Tilesminds sets are suitable from age 3 (3+). The products are listed for ages 3 to 12.
What is the difference between magnetic tiles and magnetic blocks?
Tiles are flat pieces, and blocks are cubes. They are different products and cannot be swapped for each other, so choose the shape your child will enjoy building with.
Which set is best if my child likes Minecraft?
The Magnetic Blocks 104 Pieces set and the Magnetic Blocks ICE 118 Pieces set both have a Minecraft theme. They are block sets, not tile sets.
What can I give as a small extra or stocking filler?
The Magnetic Cars (2 pieces) and Magnetic Figures (4 pieces) are small add-ons. They are separate products from the tile and block sets.
What are Tilesminds magnetic toys made from?
The sets are made from recycled plastic and a non-toxic material, and they have strong magnets.
