Have a child that loves to build? Check out these 5 ways to build!
I absolutely love toys that build. Thank goodness my kids do too! I’ve found that it’s important with building activities to vary the materials kids use. Wood blocks are great, but they aren’t the only way to build.
I’m a big fan of exposing kids to different ways to build and to think beyond the block. Building activities are powerful ones – they promote problem solving, analytical thinking, and reasoning skills along with math and engineering skills.
Think beyond blocks with these 5 ways to build
I do love a simple set of wooden building blocks, but there are so many more ways to encourage children to build. Here’s a fun list of my 5 favorite ways to build with kids.
Stretch & Connect Builders
These Stretch & Connect Builders (from Lakeshore) are the coolest. They bend, connect and stretch in different ways to create the wackiest, wildest constructions.
I love how different these are from blocks – they allow my son (3) to build really unique creations that he could never make otherwise.
Building a car? A robot? A monster? A fire truck with water pumping hose? These are just a few of the objects my son has come up with.
It’s a fun way to build that we are loving!
Pantry Building
One of my favorite quick ways to build at home is with food! Well, packaged food. It’s so much fun to use items from the pantry to create really crazy towers. While I’m cooking dinner, I love to encourage my kids (3 years old and 22 months old) to build with our food.
Using non-traditional building materials like items from the pantry is a great way to improve kids’ spatial awareness – a fancy way of saying “improving how they see objects fitting together”.
Slot & Build Texture Shapes
Another great way to build and work on geometry: these Slot & Build Texture Shapes from Lakeshore. These flexible shapes have slots that connect together making them easy to use and build with.
It’s not only a great way to build, but also introduces shapes and textures to kids. My 22 month old especially loves these – they are perfect for her hands and ability level. She feels so successful building with them!
Finding the right shape combinations to make their creations balance is a great problem solving activity for my kids. The interesting sculptures they create are always fun to look at!
Toilet Roll Towers
It may seem silly, but toilet paper rolls and paper towels make awesome building materials. Quick tip: throw a piece of tape on the end if you’re worried about them unraveling.
I marvel at the different ways my kids can build with these simple materials. The cylinder shape makes for interesting towers and designs, plus I love the challenge of making it all balance.
What a great lesson in engineering!
Top-Secret Mirror Cubes
Talk about a unique way to build! Not only do these build interesting “towers” but they are functional too! The Top-Secret Mirror Cubes from Lakeshore are the coolest for any budding spy.
Using the guide book, my three year old loves following the building directions for creating cube combinations that can let him see around corners, over the sofa, or behind him. He’s always trying to spy something now!
Not only is this a great way to practice fine motor skills connecting the cubes together, but it’s a great direction following activity using the guide book. Or he can come up with a design on his own. Either way, it’s one awesome way to build!
What’s your favorite way to build?
Building activities are so much more than just creating with wooden blocks. I love going beyond the block to find great ways to build.
I also love using these three toys from Lakeshore (the Stretch & Shrink Connector, Slot and Build Texture Shapes, and Top-Secret Mirror Cubes) in our quest to find cool ways to build. Lakeshore toys are always unique and fun. They’re teacher designed and expertly tested – my kids go wild for them.
These three toys are all part of Lakeshore’s Gifts for Growing Minds catalog, full of more than 200 products for ages birth to 11. So many of these items are exclusive to Lakeshore and each carefully designed to spur a love of learning in kids.
Looking to grab some toys that build for your toddlers? Use this 20% off coupon from Lakeshore Learning! To learn more about Lakeshore, find them on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest.
$25 eGift Card to Lakeshore Learning
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Amanda Costella says
My kids love blocks, we use duplo and megablocs mostly but I would love to try different kinds
Kelsey says
My kids love to build! I like your ideas of building with pantry items and toilet paper!
Amber says
This is very cool!! My kiddo loves to build and then destroy!
Amanda says
Those stretch and connect builders look amazing! My twins would be all over those!
Amanda says
And their favorite building right now is probably with their lego duplo blocks…usually building different cars.
AmandaWC says
She likes building towers with holes in the middle to look through!
Diane Steward says
This is exactly the article I needed to read today! I’ve been searching for a list of good building toys that are educational so I can finish up my little ones Christmas list! I love that there are even ideas that don’t cost a thing! Thanks!
Alyssa McBride says
Would love to win a gift card! Love all your play ideas on instagram
Caitlin says
Thank you for providing more ideas for little engineering minds! Creativity like this is key with kiddos!
Toby says
Love the first toy! Looks so fun
Sarah says
I can’t wait to check these out! I know my three year old would love these.
Shelby says
My four year old loves building with our Lakeshore magetic magna-tiles. I discovered Lakeshore when I was a pre-k teacher and have been hooked since!
Lauren W says
This looks like it would be great for my son! )3/ always studying how things work.
busytoddler says
You’re the winner Lauren! Congrats! Lakeshore will be emailing you shortly.
Kami says
I have a little builder too!
McKenzie Cherrington says
The pantry is always something that results in many towers haha. I love all these ideas on this post!
Leanne says
Jackson is into cars, so we build parking lots, garages, and gas stations with his Legos and mega blocks!!
Ashley Ze says
I don’t have any children of my own yet, however I do work in a daycare. The kids love to build and take apart everything, but Legos and magnetiles are definitely a favorite!
Brenna says
Great article. My son loves building with objects in my craft room while I’m working on projects. I always keep a bin in my room just for him – empty spools, bobbins, etc.
Amber Christensen says
Love building with marble works!
Kelly says
My little one loves to build with lego duplo, blocks, and boxes.
Daniel says
Can’t wait to try out some of these ideas with my little one! She loves to build.
Kristen says
Traditional wooden blocks…and stacks of boxes and cans in the kitchen. ?
Amy says
My son would love to build with these!
Sara Lutz says
We love to build with anything & everything too! My daughter loves to build tall towers. I love seeing her look of concentration & then satisfaction! 🙂
Julia says
Lego – but never thought to build with other stuff so may have to buy the connectors for my kids for Christmas. Love all of your ideas!
Ashley L. says
All these options are right up my toddler’s alley! Those stretch and connect builders would look like tons of fun with endless possibilities!
Chelsea Hubbard says
Love the bendable pipes!
Mercedes Ugarte says
Hello Susie, I have a 2 year old daughter and I love reading your blog to find ideas on how to entertain her with interesting educational activities. Thank you!
Jen Noble says
My sister introduced me to Lakeshore and I just love their stuff. Great ideas!
Rebecca Schweizer says
I love the mirror building cubes. My little guy would love them.
Michelle says
My daughter loves to build forts with pillows, blankets, and furniture.
Lori says
Our kids love Megabloks and Legos.