Building blocks have been a foundation of learning for a very long time, and they are great for helping children to express their imaginations.
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They are able to use these blocks to create endless possibilities when it comes to building.
This can be a very rewarding experience and can also help to exercise their minds while taking part in an exciting activity.
This type of toy can be related to so many different subjects like maths, art, science, engineering, and design.
It can be a valuable learning experience for your child.
Unlike regular building blocks, Picasso Tiles and Magna Tiles are magnetic, and they work slightly differently.
They don’t fit together as solid building pieces and are much more flexible to work with.
They can help to further both the physical and mental development of children and can improve skills such as:
- Thinking skills
- Problem-solving ability
- Visual-spatial reasoning
This review will give you all of the information that you need to make the best choice between Picasso Tiles and Magma Tiles.
What are Picasso Tiles and Magna Tiles?
These building tiles work differently than your standard building blocks. They have magnets inside that make them connect together, and you can make much better structures with them due to their design.
You can purchase standard sets that come with a variety of different geometric shapes like squares and triangles, but there are also more complicated sets for those who prefer a challenge.
These special sets include more complex shapes so you can create race car tracks, marble runs, and even amazing castles in your free time.
As all parents will know, finding a toy that can be both educational and fun can be a difficult task. Picasso Tiles and Magna Tiles provide both of these elements for an enhanced experience.
Both of these brands provide colorful, see-through tiles that have magnets to make building easier. You can get them in multiple different shapes, sizes, and colors, to keep your children entertained for longer.
Both of these brands include straight-edged tiles that make them easy to put together and help your structures stay built for longer. They are also both lightweight and weigh roughly the same for a set of a similar size.
While these are two different brands and the sizes and shapes of the tiles differ, they can actually be used together, so you can mix and match the two to come up with unique designs. They connect to each other the same as they do with their own pieces.
Things You’ll Need to Know
Probably the most important aspect that you may look for in magnetic building titles is the quality of the magnets. Based on our research, the Picasso Tiles seem to have stronger magnets in them that allow the tiles to hold together better and for longer.
Magna Tiles are still able to connect and form structures, but not quite to the superior strength of the Picasso Tiles. They might not be able to hold if you are creating a really complex design.
In terms of the magnets themselves, they are relatively the same size and shape for both sets, so there is really no reason why the strength should be any different, but the strength is definitely not connected with the pricing as Picasso Tiles are the cheaper option.
Safety is another key concern for any toy that is aimed at children. Both of these brands have to use small magnets in their products in order for them to work. Due to this, there is always a risk of tiles breaking and exposing these magnets, which can ultimately be swallowed.
Magna Tiles seem to be of better quality in this instance as they have riveted their tiles together. Their rival’s tiles are glued together, which means that they are more likely to break under stress. While both products may never break at all, Picasso tiles are sturdier and, therefore, less likely to break.
The price of the products could also have an impact on your decision. It is easy to spot straight away just by looking at the prices that Magna Tiles cost significantly more than Picasso Tiles.
Not only do they cost more, but they also tend to have fewer pieces than Picasso sets of roughly the same price. You can either choose to save up to buy better sets, or you can start small and slowly build up your collection.
Either way, Picasso Tiles seem to be the more cost-effective option out of the two.
Both of these brands seem to be quite durable and will stand the test of time. Our research suggests that they aren’t prone to breaking, and the magnetic strength also doesn’t seem to falter over time. You can be assured that they are high-quality products that are going to last for many years.
Which Brand Should I buy?
Both of these brands of magnetic tiles seem to be similar in a lot of ways, but where they do differ, the differences are quite significant.
The main factors that we have mentioned here are durability, quality, and price, which are all very important aspects of any toys that are aimed towards children.
Magna Tiles - Conclusion
These tiles are the more expensive choice out of the two, but with a higher price usually comes better quality.
You won’t need to worry about safety when it comes to their products as they are secured with rivets that will keep the mag
nets from coming away from where they are supposed to be. They also won’t break easily if you were to accidentally step on one or if your structure came crashing down.
They are certainly durable and safe to use, but they can also be quite expensive, which can make it difficult to buy multiple sets.
Picasso Tiles - Conclusion
These tiles are a cheaper alternative than their competitors, but they also lack in other areas that the other brand might not.
This brand also uses non-toxic materials, which is safer for children who might put something in their mouth.
However, the adhesive is the only thing holding these tiles together, which makes them less durable and more likely to break under heavy use.
Our Top Picks
We have included two product reviews here, one from each brand, to help give you a little bit more information about the two products.
Building tiles are a great toy for children of all ages, and we want you to have all of the information before you choose which brand to use.
This original 3D magnetic building set comes with 100 pieces that are split into 4 large squares, 50 small squares, and 46 various-sized triangles.
The shapes come in all different colors, and this set can provide hours of entertainment. This set aims to help develop math, science, and spatial skills and is also STEM approved.
It is safe and durable and will last for many years to come. Due to the small magnets inside the product, it is not designed for any children that are under 3 years old.
There are no instructions included with this product because it is designed to be played with freely and to let children use their imaginations.
The pieces included with this set are made from 100% non-toxic materials that meet today’s safety specifications. Each shape has a unique design inside it that gives it strength, and each block is sonic-welded to ensure that the magnets remain inside.
The tiles are designed with stainless steel rivets that are lead-free and resistant to temperature changes and corrosion. They are designed for heavy-use and can withstand daily play without getting damaged.
Pros
- This set aims to develop math, science, and spatial skills.
- It is STEM approved and educational.
- The product is safe to use.
- Durable and long-lasting.
- Made from 100% non-toxic materials.
Cons
- Magnets aren’t as strong as some other brands.
This set contains 60 pieces that are of different shapes and sizes. There are no limits as to what you can build using these blocks, and your designs can be fueled purely by your imagination.
The brand encourages learning by playing and believes that it is never too early to introduce your children to creativity.
Children are able to use these sets to gain a strong sense of color and geometric shapes.
This set can be entertaining for one person or a group of people and is suitable for anyone over the age of three.
This is due to the small magnets that could cause a choking risk. It could be a great opportunity for parent-child bonding with hours of fun waiting to be utilized.
This set also provides an educational activity that includes the aspect of fun, which will help to keep your children entertained for longer while allowing them to learn something new.
The parts are also easy to construct and easy to put away.
Pros
- No instructions so you can build freely.
- Encourages learning through play.
- Provides an opportunity for parent-child bonding.
- Easy to construct and put away.
- Endless play opportunities for hours of fun.
Cons
- Placement of magnets on some shapes is awkward.
Time To Make a Choice
It can be overwhelming when presented with a choice between so many brands of children’s toys, and it is often hard to know which ones are going to be the best.
Now you have all of the available information; you can feel confident that you are making the best choice between Picasso Tiles and Magna Tiles.
As a parent of a five-year-old inquisitive boy, I have gained a lot of experience finding fun activities and toys to help him understand science and understanding our world in general. On this blog, you’ll find an extensive amount of tutorials, guides, and toys about Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math based on my personal experience to help your child develop critical STEM skills.