Building Toys - Other

Best Building Toys and Sets in the UK: Creative Picks from Menkind and Other Top Stores

Why building toys still rule playtime

If you grew up stacking bricks, chasing marbles down a homemade run, or clicking magnetic tiles together until your carpet looked like a tiny city, you know the quiet magic of building toys. These toys do more than keep little hands busy — they teach problem solving, spatial awareness, patience, and creativity in a way that feels like play rather than school. Think of building toys as the sandbox of the brain: a safe place where ideas take shape and confidence grows.

Menkind’s personalised Lego brick photo block puzzles — a clever twist on classic bricks

Menkind has a knack for quirky, personalised gifts, and their personalised Lego brick photo block puzzles are a perfect example. These products let you put a favourite photo onto an interlocking brick-style block puzzle, combining the nostalgia of building bricks with the emotion of a treasured picture. They’re ideal for commemorations, family photos, or turning a special memory into a hands-on keepsake.

Small personalised Lego brick landscape puzzle

The small option is compact and great for desks or small displays, measuring roughly 6 in by 6 in when assembled. It’s an easy choice for stocking stuffers or a cosy gift for younger kids who love hands-on puzzles without the overwhelm of lots of pieces.

Medium personalised Lego brick landscape and portrait puzzles

The medium sizes — offered in both landscape and portrait formats — step up the detail and presence. At around 8 in across, they balance display appeal with interactive play. These are lovely for parents who want a display piece that also doubles as a playful, buildable puzzle for visitors or children.

Large personalised Lego brick landscape puzzle

The large version makes a bold statement and can be the centrepiece of a shelf or a memorable gift. Clocking roughly 12 in across, it gives more room for photo detail and a satisfying building experience that feels like assembling a mini artwork.

Top UK stores to buy building toys (beyond Menkind)

If you’re hunting for the best building toys in the UK, Menkind is a fun stop for personalised novelty items, but there’s a broader high street and online landscape full of solid options. Each retailer brings something different to the table — from budget-friendly basics to premium collector sets.

The Entertainer

The Entertainer is known for a huge range of mainstream building sets, from classic bricks to branded construction kits. It’s a go-to if you want quick access to popular LEGO themes, Mega Bloks, and seasonal bargains that fit a range of budgets.

Smyths Toys

Smyths combines competitive pricing with wide availability, offering everything from starter brick sets for toddlers to advanced engineering-style kits for older kids. They often bundle deals that let you expand a collection without spending a fortune.

John Lewis

John Lewis tends to stock both premium and educational building toys, including high-quality wooden blocks, well-made construction sets, and licensed LEGO. If you’re after durability and stylish playsets that also look good on the shelf, they’re worth a browse.

Hamleys

Hamleys is the theatre of toys: an experience as much as a shop. Their building toy selection includes unique and collectible sets that you might not find on every high street, plus a curated selection of novelty and giftable building toys.

Argos

Argos is convenient and reliable for quick buys, with lots of affordable options. If you need a starter set, replacement pieces, or a last-minute present, Argos’ wide distribution and competitive pricing make it a practical choice.

Hobbycraft

For creative builders who like to customise and craft, Hobbycraft stocks components, magnetic tiles, and craft-ready building kits. If your child likes glue, paint, and making dioramas, this is a place to find complementary materials.

Amazon UK

Amazon’s marketplace is unbeatable for selection and customer reviews. You can compare brands, check user photos, and often find faster delivery. Just be selective: look for trusted sellers and verified reviews when hunting for niche building toys.

Types of building toys to fit every imagination

Building toys aren’t one-size-fits-all — they span simple stackables to complex engineering kits. Knowing the main categories helps you pick what’s right for the child or the project.

Classic interlocking bricks (e.g., LEGO, Megabloks)

These are the backbone of modern building play. Interlocking bricks encourage open-ended construction, storytelling, and long-term collection growth. They’re compatible across themed sets and are easy to store and expand.

Magnetic tiles and sticks

Magnetic tiles click together in seconds, making them brilliant for toddlers through early school age. They teach geometry and basic physics, and because they build 3D shapes so quickly, they offer instant satisfaction — like sketching in three dimensions.

Wooden blocks and heirloom sets

Wooden blocks are tactile, durable, and often beautifully crafted. They’re the sort of toy that looks good left out and encourages calmer, slower building sessions that focus on balance and creativity rather than exact instructions.

Marble runs and chain reaction kits

Marble runs combine building with motion and cause-and-effect play. Kids plan a path, build the run, and then watch gravity and momentum do the rest. These are brilliant for developing sequencing skills and patience.

Construction and engineering kits (K’NEX, Meccano)

If you want the “engineer” vibe, kits with gears, rods, and motors let older kids and teens explore real mechanics. They can build cars, cranes, or custom inventions — ideal for curious minds that like a bit of challenge.

Mini bricks and micro models (Nanoblocks)

For precise, detail-focused builds, micro bricks offer a model-building experience similar to a puzzle. They’re often marketed to teens and adults and make beautiful display pieces once complete.

Choosing the right set by age

Match the toy to the child’s developmental stage, interest, and patience level. A well-chosen set grows with the child rather than gathering dust.

Toddlers (1–3 years)

Look for large, easy-to-grip pieces that encourage stacking and simple connection. Magnetic tiles and oversized bricks work well. Safety and non-toxic materials are key at this stage.

Preschoolers (3–5 years)

Preschoolers enjoy sets with simple instructions and imaginative themes. Chunky interlocking bricks, simple vehicle kits, and wooden block sets are perfect for this exploratory phase.

Early school age (6–9 years)

Children at this age can follow multi-step builds and enjoy a mix of guided sets and open-ended play. Look for thematic LEGO sets, marble runs, and early engineering kits that introduce gears and pulleys.

Tweens and teens (10+ years)

Older kids and teens often prefer complexity — mechanical kits, advanced LEGO Architecture sets, or model micro bricks. These provide a satisfying challenge and often double as display pieces.

Educational benefits that sneak into play

Building toys are stealth teachers. While kids think they’re having fun, they’re actually strengthening fine motor skills, learning planning and sequencing, and practicing persistence. They also support STEM learning in a tactile, hands-on way — often more memorable than a textbook.

How to buy smart: budget, longevity, and expandability

Buying building toys is as much about strategy as taste. Think of your purchase like planting a seed: you want something that can grow over time with a few well-chosen additions.

Start with a versatile base set

Choose a core set with neutral pieces and fundamental shapes. This gives maximum play options and mixes well with future sets you or the child may receive.

Invest in compatibility

Popular brands often allow expansion without waste. Buying into a common brick ecosystem means replacements and expansions are easier to find and usually more affordable in the long run.

Watch for quality and safety

Cheaper sets may save money upfront but can chip, warp, or have inconsistent connections. Look for trusted brands and clear safety markings, especially for small parts that could pose a risk around younger children.

Finding personalised and unique building gifts in the UK

If you want something a bit different from the usual boxed set, look for personalised or bespoke options. Menkind’s personalised Lego brick photo block puzzles are a great start, but the UK market also has small makers and marketplaces offering custom block displays, engraved wooden building kits, and one-off designer sets.

Independent makers and marketplaces

Sites like Etsy and NotOnTheHighStreet host UK sellers who create custom building kits or personalised display solutions. These are ideal for memorable birthdays or unique keepsakes and often come with the extra charm of hand-crafted detail.

Collector and limited-edition sets

For older kids, teens, or adult fans, limited edition sets from specialty retailers or flagship stores like Hamleys can be thrilling. These often come with exclusive pieces or packaging that makes them feel like a treasure.

Care, storage, and keeping your builds tidy

Building sets can quickly multiply into a plastic metropolis that takes over the playroom. A little organisation goes a long way to preserving pieces and the joy of building.

Storage solutions that work

Use stackable boxes, clear plastic containers, or compartmentalised organisers to sort by colour, size, or function. Label containers if multiple kids share the same inventory — it cuts down on the “where is that 1 in connector?” hunt.

Display vs. play rotation

Some builds deserve a place on a shelf, while others are meant to be dismantled and rebuilt. Rotate displays and keep a flexible “play stash” so kids can continually refresh their building options without losing treasured models.

Sustainability and second-hand options

Buying second-hand can be both eco-friendly and budget-wise. Check local marketplace listings or specialist swap groups for used sets in good condition. Many bricks hold up well, so a lovingly pre-owned set can offer years more play.

Wrap-up: picking the perfect building toy in the UK

Whether you choose Menkind’s personalised Lego brick photo block puzzles for a heartfelt keepsake or pick up a stack of magnetic tiles from a high street store for instant construction fun, the best building toy is one that matches the child’s interests, skill level, and your budget. Think of these sets as long-term tools that promote creativity, resilience, and a love of tinkering. With the right choices and a little organisation, building toys can spark a lifetime of imaginative play.