Throughout my years covering parenting, with a focus on toys, I've seen trends come and go. (And I've seen them come back around again — hello, Furbys and Tamagotchis!) One year everyone wants color-changing toys, the next year they want light-up toys. Slime is in, then slime is out. But one thing seems to remain the same, year after year: Kids love Magna-Tiles.
That's why my eyes lit up when I saw that Magna-Tiles were going to be discounted on Amazon Prime Day. For adults who want to refresh the birthday-present pile, sock away some Christmas presents or just surprise kids with a summertime addition to the collection, the time to stock up is now.
SHOP ALL AMAZON PRIME DAY DEALS
There are a few reasons why I'd tell adults to take advantage of the Prime Day Deals.
First off, there's a lot to choose from. Magna-Tiles have discounts on sets of all sizes this Prime Day, including the Color Shop sets that add new hues into the collection, some Dino World sets that let Jurassic fans go wild, and Animal sets that come with magnetic critters. There are a dozen sets included in the sale, and they're all discounted between 30% and 40%.
In addition, Magna-Tiles always perform well in Good Housekeeping Institute toy tests. They frequently win Good Housekeeping Best Toy Awards, although the exact sets that have won in the past are not the same as the ones that have been discounted. Even so, these things are well constructed: Testers noted that the structures held up well when compared with other sets, and parents reported that kids returned to their Magna-Tiles again and again.
Then, let's face it: Magna-Tiles are pricey. A lot of the better magnetic building sets are, but that doesn't make it easier on the budget conscious. Kids who are big fans can put a huge dent in the wallet every birthday and holiday just with a few sets.
And sure, there are less expensive dupes floating around out there. But in my time covering toys, I'd say Magna-Tiles are worth shelling out for the real thing. Other, no-name-brand sets might not be compatible in size with Magna-Tiles, which can be frustrating for kids. More importantly, it's better to err on the safe side when it comes to magnetic toys, because if the magnets come out, it can be a hazard. (A new safety standard for magnetic toys, including desk toys and fidget toys with high-powered magnets, went into effect in 2022, and it's good to stick with brands that are sure to be following the guidelines. The magnets in Magna-Tiles are covered, so little fingers won't pry them out.)
More Good Housekeeping Favorite Toys Discounted for Prime Day
Marisa (she/her) has covered all things parenting, from the postpartum period through the empty nest, for Good Housekeeping since 2018; previously, she wrote about parents and families at Parents and Working Mother. She lives with her toy-collecting husband and daughter in Brooklyn, where she can be found helping out her team at bar trivia or posting about movies on Twitter and Bluesky.
