My kids love to build. Whether we are using blocks, logs, or even balancing utensils and sugar packets when we’re out to eat, something is always under construction. I don’t mind either, as long as they clean up after themselves and a lot of time, I can act as supervisor or offer tips as a foreman! I like the idea of them getting creative while also playing with hands-on building pieces, so we bring imagination to life with Build and Imagine magnetic building sets.
About Build and Imagine
Build & Imagine StoryWalls
Watch your child become a designer, builder, and storyteller right before your eyes. Build & Imagine’s colorfully illustrated StoryWalls connect magnetically to build a world where dress-up characters work and play. It’s the fun of a dollhouse with the enrichment of a building toy. Easily change things up and create a whole new adventure, for endless imaginative play.
Magnetic building sets that spark storytelling.
Build & Imagine StoryWall play-sets contain illustrated scenes that children can build, decorate, and use as a backdrop for imaginative play. We call them StoryWalls because it’s like building a storybook setting in 3-D and then jumping in to play!
Sets include wooden dress-up doll(s), illustrated building panels that combine magnetically to create endless combinations, and dozens of magnetic accessories to customize your scene. Easily change things up and create a whole new adventure for endless imaginative play.
My Thoughts
When I look at new toys for my kids, I’m more likely to purchase it if all the kids would be interested in playing with it AND they can learn while they play. While many of the new electronic games can fit both requirements, I also like to find toys that don’t require batteries or touch screens; instead they encourage hands-on playing, imagination, and sharing.
That’s the reason behind why I enjoy seeing them bring imagination to life with Build and Imagine magnetic building sets. Both the boys and girls want to play with them and they each have different ideas behind the characters, details, and even how to dress them up or decorate the place. Because the pieces use magnets to connect, they are easily changed for both design reasons and experimentation/reasoning skills. If it doesn’t work the way they thought, they can change it up, no big deal (or wasted time). And when it’s time to take it apart, the pieces easily come apart and can be tossed into a box or bag until next time. This also makes a great toy to travel with because it’s easy to bring out, play with, and then put away.
Pet Portrait Studio
Build a scene and imagine countless stories. Woof! Meow! Squawk! Help Anna and Ethan prepare the local shelter pets for adoption day by providing each pet with a special portrait. Build a studio with the illustrated magnetic panels, then dress the wooden pets in crazy outfits and arrange wacky scenes for the dolls to capture with their camera and paintbrushes. Easily change things up and create a whole new adventure for endless imaginative play. It’s the fun of a dollhouse with the enrichment of a building set. Pet Portrait Studio is the winner of Parents’ Choice Gold Award and the Tillywig Best Creative Fun Award.
This is a great set for groups of kids when you have both boys and girls playing together. Not that boys can’t play with dolls or dress up, but because it involves a neutral subject like pets and art. Plus there is both a girl and a boy character to involve in the story lines and play scenarios. And there are 56 different pieces with the building set to customize while they bring imagination to life!
Malia’s House
Hop into the shoes of best friends Malia and Skyler as they rush home from school to their favorite hangout: Malia’s House. They make music videos, tend to the vegetable garden, and goof off in the pool. Build Malia’s House a new way, every time you play! Durable StoryWall panels connect magnetically. Customize your adventure with magnetic accessories that stick to the panel walls and wooden dress-up dolls. Grow your story with additional Build & Imagine play-sets! Recommended for girls and boys ages 4-8. Develops early engineering skills (spatial reasoning, problem solving, and creativity) as well as language skills.
This set is more like a dollhouse in the fact that it’s home design and after school fun. They have both indoor and outdoor areas to explore like a garden, swimming pool, bedrooms, and more. You can also change their clothes and accessories by using some of the included magnetic pieces from the set. There are 58 total pieces including walls, characters, clothes, etc. And just like with the Pet Portrait Studio, this gives the kids a great opportunity to learn about design, fair play, story telling and more while in the safety of playing together.
I personally like the fact that these are easy to set up and take down, as well being made to play individually or together with other siblings or friends. Plus they aren’t overly bent towards girls or boys so the other group doesn’t feel left out or like they can’t play all together. Any of these sets would make great gifts or items for STEM groups, homeschool families, or even your favorite boy or girl just because. They have several magnetic build sets to choose from and they can even be combined to build a town or estate-like set up! And because they are made of good quality material, they seem to be made to last for a long time and through a lot of imagination & storytelling.
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We’ve added Build and Imagine to our MEGA Christmas Gift Guide! Check it out here!
