Best TINKERTOYS

Updated August 2020
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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and we never accept free products from manufacturers. Read more  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and we never accept free products from manufacturers. Read more  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.Read more 
Bottom Line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
TINKERTOY Super Building Set, 200 Pieces
TINKERTOY
Super Building Set, 200 Pieces
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Bottom Line

Huge TINKERTOY set with 200 pieces that will allow for plenty of creativity and free play.

Pros

Young children will love all of the different pieces and colors in this set, which includes flags, rods, end caps, and spools. Instructional ideas for 30 models, but children also can use their own creativity. Excellent set for experienced builders who want more pieces.

Cons

Higher price than some other TINKERTOY sets, although it has lots of pieces.

Best Bang for the Buck
TINKERTOY Essentials Value Set, 100 Pieces
TINKERTOY
Essentials Value Set, 100 Pieces
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Bottom Line

Great introductory set with a good variety of pieces and instructions for a dozen models.

Pros

Made for ages 3 and up, meaning even young children can have success with this toy. With 100 pieces, it's just the right size as a starter set because of the variety of pieces in the box, including spools, rods, and flags. Offers simple instructions to help you create 13 models.

Cons

May not offer enough pieces for those who are experienced with the toy.

TINKERTOY Basic Building Kit, All Real Wood, 65 Pieces
TINKERTOY
Basic Building Kit, All Real Wood, 65 Pieces
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Bottom Line

Choose this building kit if you want wood pieces rather than plastic. Otherwise, check out other TINKERTOYs that work just as well but cost less.

Pros

Stands out from other TINKERTOY products because the pieces are made of real wood. Includes 65 basics such as end caps, spools, and rods. Includes an instructional booklet with 9 building suggestions. Comes in the classic cylindrical container.

Cons

An expensive kit despite the fact it has only 65 pieces. Some parents who remember the toy from their youth say the components aren't as sturdy as they once were.

TINKERTOY Pink Building Set, 150 Pieces
TINKERTOY
Pink Building Set, 150 Pieces
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Bottom Line

If your kids love the color pink and other pastels, this TINKERTOY set was made with them in mind.

Pros

Offers 150 different pieces, including rods, flags, and spools - a great set for building a variety of models or for creative free play. Ships with instructions to build 15 different models, such as a castle or a few animals. Includes some figurine characters.

Cons

Pastel-colored pieces will disappoint some vintage TINKERTOY fans.

TINKERTOY Essentials Value Set, 65 Pieces
TINKERTOY
Essentials Value Set, 65 Pieces
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Bottom Line

Basic TINKERTOY set that serves well as an add-on to other sets when you need more pieces.

Pros

Provides just the basic pieces - spools, rods, and flags. Includes instructions for some simple building ideas for 7 models. Good starter set or add-on to an existing set. Many different colors included in the set, which young children will love to play with and sort.

Cons

Only 65 pieces in the set, limiting the options for building models.

Why trust BestReviews?
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and we never accept free products from manufacturers. Read more  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and we never accept free products from manufacturers. Read more  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.Read more 
How we decided

We purchase every product we review with our own funds — we never accept anything from product manufacturers.

16 Models Considered
68 Hours Researched
1 Experts Interviewed
161 Consumers Consulted
Zero products received from manufacturers.

We purchase every product we review with our own funds — we never accept anything from product manufacturers.

Lots of childhood toys from days of yore are making a comeback, and perhaps the most old-school one is Tinkertoys. These simple building blocks have been around since 1914, and are now part of the popular STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) toy craze. So, not only are they fun, they help with important learning and development that will help prepare your child for school and real-life skills that can put them ahead of their peers. Tinkertoys used to be made of natural polished wood, but now are also available in more durable, colorful plastic. You can buy sets of all the basic building pieces, or sets tailored to specific building projects, like aircraft or animals. Small sets cost about $25, while deluxe sets with more pieces cost up to $100.

Other Products We Considered
The BestReviews editorial team researches hundreds of products based on consumer reviews, brand quality, and value. We then choose a shorter list for in-depth research and testing before finalizing our top picks. These are the products we considered that ultimately didn't make our top 5.
K'nex
Tinkertoy Retro Tin
Tinkertoy
30 Model Super Building Set
Tinkertoy
On The Go Building Set
Tinkertoy
Little Constructor's Building Set
Tinkertoy
Adventures Building Set
The team that worked on this review
  • Kyle
    Kyle
    Writer
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TINKERTOY

Basic Building Kit, All Real Wood, 65 Pieces

TINKERTOY

Basic Building Kit, All Real Wood, 65 Pieces

Choose this building kit if you want wood pieces rather than plastic. Otherwise, check out other TINKERTOYs that work just as well but cost less.

$55
×

TINKERTOY

Super Building Set, 200 Pieces

TINKERTOY

Super Building Set, 200 Pieces

Huge TINKERTOY set with 200 pieces that will allow for plenty of creativity and free play.
$40
×

TINKERTOY

Essentials Value Set, 100 Pieces

TINKERTOY

Essentials Value Set, 100 Pieces

Great introductory set with a good variety of pieces and instructions for a dozen models.
$35
×

TINKERTOY

Pink Building Set, 150 Pieces

TINKERTOY

Pink Building Set, 150 Pieces

If your kids love the color pink and other pastels, this TINKERTOY set was made with them in mind.
$39
×

TINKERTOY

Essentials Value Set, 65 Pieces

TINKERTOY

Essentials Value Set, 65 Pieces

Basic TINKERTOY set that serves well as an add-on to other sets when you need more pieces.
$49

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