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Best TINKERTOYS

Updated December 2018
Why trust BestReviews?
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.
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers.
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.
Bottom Line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
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.

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.

Best Bang for the Buck
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
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
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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.

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.

    Why trust BestReviews?
    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.
    BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers.
    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.

    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.

    The team that worked on this review
    • Eliza
      Eliza
      Production Manager
    • Kyle
      Kyle
      Writer
    ×

    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.

    $149
    ×

    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.
    $42
    ×

    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.
    $22
    ×

    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.
    $49
    ×

    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.
    $34

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