Building toys

The listing of toys below is in order of popularity with the 6- to 12-year-olds at our test.

Lego City Coast Guard Patrol Boat & Tower

$60, ages 5 to 12

Build a patrol boat, tower, four mini-figures, shark, small boat, and lots of accessories.

What kids disliked

Some of the kids were confused by all the small pieces.

Bottom line

Good gift for a kid who’s already a Lego fan, but might be overwhelming for a new Lego user.

Lego Agents Mobile Command Center

$90, ages 8 to 14

Kids can build the Agents’ headquarters, including the intel center, weapons bay, tool shop, jet boat, plane, and two cars. The mission: to prevent Dr. Inferno’s escape as his henchmen fight to get him out.

What kids liked

“It was challenging. You can build vehicles, go inside, and hide missiles. I like that it has so many parts.”

What kids disliked

It takes a long time to build.

Bottom line

Great gift for a kid who’s already a Lego fan, but might be overwhelming for a new Lego user.

K’Nex Ferris Wheel

$20, ages 7 and up

Kids can build motorized star-shaped Ferris wheel that stands 3 feet high.

What kids liked

“It gives you a challenge,” one child said. They liked building something that moves, even though it’s “kind of hard.”

What kids disliked

Directions are somewhat difficult to follow. Pieces can be difficult to put together.

Bottom line

Three girls (ages 8, 9 and 10) spent the entire Toy Test putting this together and enjoyed it immensely.

K’Nex Drop’n’Swing

$20, ages 7 and up

Kids can build a motorized drop-and-swing ride similar to those in amusement parks.

Bottom line

This building set was overshadowed at our test by its sister building set, the K’Nex Ferris Wheel, but it’s likely to be just as enjoyable for kids who like to build.

Mega Struxx Basixx 40X

$40, ages 8 and up

This building kit has “special FXX” (special effects), including motion and lights. It comes with more than 40 different build ideas, including a helicopter with rotating propeller.

Bottom line

This kit was overshadowed by other toys during our Toy Test. It seems to offer a lot to kids who like to build, and the special “FXX” sound interesting.

Uberstix Starter Set

$45, ages 8 to 99

A building set with a “green” angle, this toy’s pieces are engineered to work with recycled materials such as fast-food straws, Popsicle sticks, paper clips, paper cups, and water bottles, giving kids a chance to build with unlimited creativity. Pieces also mate with all major build systems, including Lego, K’Nex, Erector, Zoob, and Zome.

Bottom Line

This kit was overshadowed by other toys during our Toy Test. We like the “green” angle of teaching kids to reuse items they can find around the house.