Best Toys for Young Builders

Spring brings budding trees, blooming flowers and chirping birds and, we don't know about where you live, but in New York it also brings construction on seemingly every block. All day long we see children stopped on the street, mouths agape, as they stare at cranes, cement mixers and excavators while their patients wait (mostly) patiently. Of course kids can build with anything - empty cereal boxes, playing cards, sand - but we've also put together some of our favorite toys (Look, Ma! No Plastic!) for young builders.

First Row

Fabric digger ($55).

Toddler Workbench ($110).

Hardware Store Alphabet Cards ($25).

Second Row

Plan City Road Construction Set ($18).
Melissa and Doug Take Along Took Kit ($13).
Tools and Ton by Taro Miura ($16 each).
Wooden Bricks, set of 3 ($20).

Third Row

Knit Toolbelt ($85).
Spanner and Hammer Rattles ($14 each).
My First Tool Set ($50).

Any favorites to add to our list?

We also found a great website for young builders, Kikki's Workshop, which has pictures and video of real construction vehicles (in case your kid needs a midnight fix), videos and Flash animation that describe how different construction vehicles work, downloadable coloring pages and nine online mini-games.

Comments (4)

thanks for sharing this. Since embarking on our remodel, our 18 month old is obsessed with "toos!"

posted by sassypiggy on April 17th 2008 at 11:35am
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We got the toddler workbench for my three-year old son for Christmas and he loves it. I think I was able to get a better price though by checking around the web.

posted by rockfox on April 17th 2008 at 6:18pm
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We got this one:
http://www.amazon.com/Panline-7011-My-Workbench/dp/B000FCDLCW/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1208524434&sr=1-2

from Alex toys for our daughter for Christmas and she loves it!

posted by rockabyemama on April 18th 2008 at 4:14am
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We have the toddler workbench and don't love it. It is one of those that you put together with slots (vs. screws) and comes apart 500 times a day.

posted by jenzoe on April 18th 2008 at 4:57pm
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