Manipulatives

3 years & up. Car-loving kiddos will surely enjoy the MAGNA-TILES® Downhill Duo, the first fully magnetic racing adventure that's designed for little hands and big imaginations! Part of the new MAGNA-TILES® In Motion collection, this set is ideal for inspiring creativity, building motor skills and supporting STEM learning. Set features 40 magnetic pieces including; 4 ramps, 2 vehicles, 2 figures, 6 road squares, 2 finish line rectangles, and 24 squares. Made of food-grade ABS (BPA Free)… More »

5 years & up. Inspired by real-world physics and engineering, this STEM Explorers Machine Makers 9 STEP challenges help kids learn the fundamental mechanical principles. Embark on the latest STEM Explorers learning adventure! With this engaging set, kids will design, build, and test dynamic machines using the included challenge guide. As kids test and tweak their STEP creations, kids will hone the critical thinking and problem solving skills that are essential to STEM success. Includes a 50… More »

5 years and up. Revolutionize STEM play with the Plip™ Kit Silicone Connect System. Including arches, sticks, and Xs, the pieces in this kit are flexible and connect to one another via ball-and-socket ends. This means that children can use them to create any design imaginable; whether it's a rocket ship, an octopus, or a necklace. Plip™ Kit pieces can also be used as fidgets and sensory tools! Pull them apart to hear them POP! Set includes 46 pieces.

3 years & up. Roll your way into a good time with this marbulous-marble run! The durable, transparent pieces allow children to visually track the entire course of their marble as it makes its journey through several fun twists and turns. This Transparent Marble Run promotes fine motor skills, spatial relationships, logic, and STEM skills. The colorful pieces can fit together multiple ways, so children can design them differently each time. Have children drop the marbles in at different points… More »

3 years & up. Inspire and be inspired with this set of 144 unique, soft formed loose parts that mimic elements we see in the world around us. The law of gravity will test a child's patience, concentration and problem solving skills while creating imaginative structures. The set includes loose parts that represent water, trees, bricks, wood, steel, stones, a ball and people. The idea guide is full of images that will help spark imaginations and inspire new creations.

3 years & up. Make building a captivating experience with this collection of Click Builders. Young children can design an infinite number of structures, which will improve their fine-motor skills, creative-thinking skills, and problem-solving skills. The transparent colors will also teach children about color patterns-especially if they play with these builders on a light table. 1,000 pieces in different sizes and colors.

3 years & up. Thanks to the thoughtful integration of a multi-sensory approach, the Connections Pentagon Play System is an engaging toy that can be used and enjoyed by children with various strengths and diverse abilities. This open-ended and accessible toy system creates a personalized learning experience that adapts to each child's unique needs and emphasizes inclusivity. Set includes 18 small pentagon pieces, 18 large pentagon pieces, 55 various clips, 40 nut and bolt connector pieces, and… More »

3 years & up. Gears! Gears! Gears! Beginner's Building Set Get "little engineers" building! Hands-on construction sets with spinning gears build early STEM skills such as problem solving, critical thinking, and perseverance. The perfect beginning set! Includes colorful gears, cranks, connectors, interlocking bases; and an Activity Guide. Challenge patterning and problem solving skills with these exciting sets of gears, cranks, connectors, pillars, and interlocking plates! Includes… More »

4 years & up. Build towers of quirky robots, spinning gears, and wobbling cranes with this Robot Factory set by Learning Resources. Stack robots on top of each other and place them on spinning gears or hang them from wobbling cranes and springs. Each unique robot and building piece can be attached to another in several different ways and from several different angles so that the only limit on engineering is your imagination. Promotes STEM learning. Size: Robots measure 2.25"H. Includes:… More »

4 years & up. Create a limitless world of people, animals, architecture, robots, vehicles and more! This set is comprised of 12 unique plastic shapes and features six colors. IO Blocks connect with secure, yet easily adjustable friction fit and features a beautiful matte finish. The high-quality design of IO Blocks offers open-ended building possibilities and problem solving, puzzle-like qualities. Great for Parents and Educators interested in STEM skill development. Free IO App available from… More »

8 years & up. Explore the basics of mechanical physics by building a series of simple machines designed to perform complex tasks that make our everyday lives easier. Build 26 working models focusing on six simple machines: wheels and axles, levers, pulleys, inclined planes, screws, and wedges. Learn the science behind your builds in the full-color, 32-page manual and follow the easy to understand step-by-step instructions to assemble each machine. As your understanding of mechanical physics… More »

6 years & up. Create stories and expand problem solving skills with the Imagination Kit. Choose a challenge, design an idea, make a prototype, experiment, review and improve for the next attempt - repeat the process! 100+ challenges cards and 600 pieces including add-on pieces such as clips, eyes, shoes, and duck feet.

4 years & up. In this jungle-themed set, monkeys fly through the palm trees by their tails, then spin, twist and turn. Colorful set features plastic gears, crank, connectors and base plates for endless building possibilities. Kids develop their own "gears jungle" or use the easy-to-follow instructions. Includes 136 pieces.

4 years & up. Set creativity free with the Spaghetteez Flexible Construction & Building Set! Spaghetteez are soft, flexible building sticks that easily click together to make colorful creations. Spaghetteez develop fine motor skills, encourage 3D insight, and stimulate creative thinking. Spaghetteez also make great fidget toys because they bend and twist without making noise. Set contains soft craft sticks in different lengths and colors (the longest stick is 12"), various accessories… More »

5 years & up. The only limit to this building set is your imagination! Build 50 different models including a dragon, swing ride, robot and more. Comes in a blue plastic  tub that holds all K'NEX® parts, or partially and fully built models. Set contains 417 classic K'NEX® pieces to build over 70 unique models and whatever else you can create.

4 years & up. Children will have many hours of fun with this exciting Mega Marble Run! The marbles will disappear inside the columns, roll down the assorted chutes, spin through the paddle wheels, and ring the bell on the wiggly chute. Construction set includes: 3 paddle wheels, 3 vortex, a wiggly bell chute, staircase, 180 degree turn, 2-way chute, and other various pieces. Create simple or complex marble runs with the colorful slot-together plastic pieces.

3 years & up. This kit is full of fun and STEM learning! Build your own domino stack, chain reaction or run. The dominoes are built to pro-scale so they are balanced for perfect building and toppling. The rapid tracks, spinners and templates help you design anything you can imagine such as stunts, tricks or cool designs. The possibilities are endless! Kit includes 180 kinetic dominoes, 5 rapid tracks, 1 staircase bridge, 1 speed template, 2 straight tracks, 12 domino arcs and 3 spinners. Non-toxic materials.

5 years & up. Create your own unique marble run with zany-patterned, magnetic foam pieces! This Tumble Trax™ Magnetic Marble Run by Learning Resources will help hone your critical thinking skills and stretch your imagination as you figure out how to line up the pieces in a way that keeps your marbles moving smoothly down to the bottom of your run. Can you make the marble speed up, slow down, stop, or change direction by rearranging the pieces? Follow the activity cards to guide you as… More »

4 years & up. Straws and Connectors are ideal in helping children develop Science, Technology, Engineering®, and Math (STEM) skills. It allows children to enhance hand-eye coordination, motor skills, logic, and problem-solving skills all while playing. Build a fort, rocket, boat, tower, tunnel, or bridge! Design your own scientific model, or create something unique. The opportunities are endless! The straws fit snugly on the connectors and are flexible so you can build arches and tubes.… More »

4 years & up. These colorful plastic stacking sticks can create endless building experiences. The unique snap and lock feature will hold pieces in place to make stacking and transporting easy. Encourage children to use their imagination to build unique structures or replicate buildings they see locally. Each piece is color-coded making it easy to build along with the suggested designs. This set promotes fine motor skills. Includes various lengths of sticks, building base, and 2 sizes of wheels. The set has 211 pieces.

8 years & up. Experience the power of gravity with the Gravitrax Starter Set! Build your own action-packed track system to send your marbles racing while learning about gravity, magnetism, and kinetics. With over 100 pieces and 18 different construction elements, discover how the laws of physics affect the track your marble takes with curves, crosses, freefalls, and even a cannon. Experiment using different heights and angles to control the speed of the ball. Build your track using the construction… More »

3 years & up. Children can experience Eastern-inspired architecture, indoors and outdoors, building with the Notch Blocks Eastern set. Solid plastic, neutral-colored blocks feature notched parts that easily connect for strong, detailed builds. Using included ladders and bridge pieces, children can build different structures with varying elevated platforms and span natural elements. Set includes 10 double-sided build cards. Available in 87 pieces or 132 pieces.

4 years & up. Develop social emotional and STEM skills in a collaborative, play-based environment with the IO Blocks® Center. This all-in-one table brings movement, simple machines and dramatic play to the original IO Blocks® friction-fit, construction toy platform. Combine gears, slides, IO people and standard IO Blocks® pieces to create limitless builds using problem solving, introductory architecture and budding STEM skills. Constructions are stabilized on the raised grid tabletop… More »

3 years & up. Children can experience Western-inspired architecture, indoors and outdoors, using the Notch Blocks Western set. Plastic, neutral-colored blocks feature notched parts that easily connect for strong, detailed builds. Using included ladders and bridge pieces, children can build different structures with varying elevated platforms and span natural elements. Set includes 10 double-sided build cards. Available in sets of 85 pieces or 129 pieces.