The best magnetic tiles
The building toy that gets played with long after birthday week: the magnetic tile sets worth buying.
Magnetic tiles are flat plastic shapes with magnets in the edges, so they click together into walls, towers and rockets. They suit children from about three, and older ones keep coming back to them.
They started out as a classroom toy: Magna-Tiles began in 1997 with a set for schools. More tiles means bigger builds, so it's an easy present to add to later.
What matters
- 100 pieces for real building; 50–60 to start.
- Big squares for walls and floors.
- Extras like cars or figures for play.
- A bag or box to keep them together.
#1 of 5
Best overall
PicassoTiles 100-Piece Magnetic Tile Set (PT100)
£30–£50 Price range
A hundred clear, jewel-coloured tiles with strong magnets, including big 6in squares for walls and floors, so castles and garages actually stand up. They join any other full-size PicassoTiles set as the collection grows.
What owners say: Owners call them one of the best toys going, with children building for hours, and like the strong magnets, though some find them pricey.
A closer look: Build on a window sill or a light box and the coloured tiles glow like stained glass. Tip them into a shallow crate rather than a deep box, so little hands can find the piece they want.
- 100 tiles: large and small squares, three sizes of triangle
- Translucent colours
- Strong magnets in every edge
- Works with other full-size PicassoTiles sets
- Ages 3+
Best for: A set that grows
- Pieces
- 100
- Extras
- None (tiles only)
- Storage bag
- Yes
- Ages
- 3+
#2 of 5
Best set with extras
Science Kidz Magnetic Tiles, 100 Pieces with 4 Figures and Bag
£20–£30 Price range
A hundred tiles plus four little family figures to live in whatever gets built, a storage bag, and a booklet of 34 build ideas for when inspiration runs dry. Designed in Britain.
What owners say: Owners find they give hours of fun for children and adults alike, and like the quality for the price and the handy bag.
A closer look: The figures turn building into storytelling: a house needs doors wide enough for the family. Start with the booklet's simpler builds, then leave them to it.
- 100 magnetic tiles
- 4 play figures
- Storage carry case
- Booklet with 34 build ideas
- BPA-free plastic, rounded corners
Best for: Imaginative play
- Pieces
- 100 + 4 figures
- Extras
- Figures, idea booklet
- Storage bag
- Yes
- Ages
- 3+
#3 of 5
Best starter set
Desire Deluxe Magnetic Tiles, 57 Pieces with Car
£20–£30 Price range
A smaller set with a car base that clicks under the tiles, so the first thing most children build is something to push round the floor. A good way in before buying more.
What owners say: Owners find it keeps children busy for hours, with strong magnets that click together easily, and think it's well worth the money.
A closer look: Build a ramp from a sofa cushion and a big tile and race the car down it. When they want more, a second set makes the builds much bigger.
- 57 pieces including a car base
- Mixed squares and triangles
- Strong magnets
- Non-toxic plastic
- Ages 3+
Best for: A first set
- Pieces
- 57
- Extras
- Car base
- Storage bag
- –
- Ages
- 3+
#4 of 5
obakaer Magnetic Tiles, 100 Pieces with 2 Cars
£20–£30 Price range
A hundred translucent tiles and two car bases for the price of a smaller set, with smooth edges and plenty of pieces for siblings to build side by side.
What owners say: Owners find the magnets strong and the set good value, with enough pieces to build bigger structures that hold together.
A closer look: Two cars means two children can play garages at once without a squabble. Build a tunnel with arches of triangles and see whose car fits through.
- 100 pieces
- 2 car bases
- Translucent colours
- Smooth-edged ABS
- Ages 3+
Best for: Siblings
- Pieces
- 100
- Extras
- 2 car bases
- Storage bag
- –
- Ages
- 3+
#5 of 5
Best budget
Coodoo Magnetic Tiles, 60 Pieces with Balconies
£10–£20 Price range
Sixty tiles with a clever twist: six balconies and two awnings that hook over the hollow squares, perfect for shops, houses and food vans. Comes with a storage bag.
What owners say: Owners find them well made and good for all ages, feeding children's imagination, though some find the magnets weaker than others.
Heads up: A few owners find the magnets a little weaker than the dearer sets, so tall towers are harder; fine for houses and shops.
A closer look: Check tiles now and then for cracks: if one ever splits and a magnet shows, bin it, as loose magnets are dangerous if swallowed.
- 60 pieces
- 6 balconies and 2 awnings
- Storage bag
- Premium-grade plastic
- Ages 3+
Best for: Houses, shops and vans
- Pieces
- 60
- Extras
- Balconies, awnings
- Storage bag
- Yes
- Ages
- 3+
How they compare
| Feature | #1PicassoTiles 100 | #2Science Kidz 100 | #3Desire Deluxe 57 | #4obakaer 100 | #5Coodoo 60 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Best set with extras | Best starter set | Best budget | ||
| Picked Rating | 9.4 | 9.2 | 9.2 | 9.0 | 9.0 |
| Price | £30–£50 Price range | £20–£30 Price range | £20–£30 Price range | £20–£30 Price range | £10–£20 Price range |
| Pieces | 100 | 100 + 4 figures | 57 | 100 | 60 |
| Extras | None (tiles only) | Figures, idea booklet | Car base | 2 car bases | Balconies, awnings |
| Storage bag | Yes | Yes | – | – | Yes |
| Ages | 3+ | 3+ | 3+ | 3+ | 3+ |
| Best for | A set that grows | Imaginative play | A first set | Siblings | Houses, shops and vans |
| Check price | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon |
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