3.5 year old girl who loves putting things together

[ineedastrongercoffee]

My DD absolutely loves anything that requires being put together. So mega blocks or this tractor with drill & screws

www.smythstoys.com/uk/en-gb/toys/construction-and-cars/farm-toys-and-animals/john-deere-build-a-johnny-tractor/p/168680

I’d like to get her something similar but a bit more challenging for Xmas. Does anyone have any recommendations?

thank you

Magna tiles

Came on to say magnatiles but beaten to it! 😂

My DD loved Duplo and a big wooden train set at that age — she spent each day building increasingly elaborate structures with all of them!

Not for this year, but for next year, take a look at Meccano junior - it’s from 5+

www.brightminds.co.uk/products/design-drill-bolt-it-bucket

This. Or any of the other Design Drill stuff

Marble run
Kid Knex
Brio Build It
FunzBo Flower Garden

Have a look at battat toys, a bit similar to the tractor but maybe a bit more complicated.

I second Kid K’nex. I’ve bought them for numerous 3 - 5 year olds over the years and they’re always well received. She might also enjoy Gears which are good fun.

The BrightMinds and Learning Resources sites are good for ideas that you won’t necessarily see in Smyths etc. They can be expensive though so I’d always price compare.

Magnatiles
Duplo
Jigsaw puzzles.
Three Little Piggies by Smart Games

www.smartgames.eu/uk/one-player-games/three-little-piggies-deluxe

Octons were good from this age and my 8 year old still likes them.

Big block lego
Have a look on amazon for junior const

Sorry junior construction kits

Definitely magna tiles for years of enjoyment. Lidls own ones are very good

Duplo

We are trying kids k'nex for our nearly 5 year old

My little one loved the box of flowers to build a garden, similar to this:

flower garden

Lego sets. Plus plus.

Marble run or magnetic tiles

Creator Lego age 6 +. If you do this with her a few times and she likes building she will pick it up. I did that with my children at this age, we would spend an hour or two on it before breakfast every weekend. But I ignore Lego age restrictions as I think it depends on the child’s interests etc. My 6 year old wanted a Lego flower bouquet for her room that was labelled 18 plus presumably because of it being a more adult theme.

Also pound per play wooden brio builder was my most successful purchase. Bought when my child was 3 and still used years later.

Mobilo

My DD is similar. Last year (just turned 4) she got a few presents around on a theme which included this highly recommended learning resources robot as well as some role play construction stuff (fave being the safety googles and tool belt) which she puts on when she plays with 'her tools'. She also got more connetix tiles, lego (but we stuck with duplo) etc.

Is there much variance with this? Is it either built or not built or ca the kids make different variations?

I had to look this up to see what it was and then screamed as I loved this in school 40 years ago. Best toys ever!

They can make variations the parts all interconnect. My daughter who's 5 and 3 year old son both love this set I'd really recommend.

Another vote for Magnatiles. The Galt marble run is excellent too. My two also love hedgehog bricks. All of those are still played with years after we bought them and are really good quality.

As PumpkinDart said, it's freeform building, and can extend into other games, dinosaur jungle, garden for figures etc

www.amazon.co.uk/Early-Learning-Centre-148437-Build/dp/B07MTYV546/ref=sr_1_4?crid=MK6IV1LUKGWZ&keywords=bits+and+bobs+construction&qid=1667302181&sprefix=bits+and+bobs+construction%2Caps%2C72&sr=8-4
A big hit with DC2