It’s no secret that building blocks are one of the top ways to encourage your children to engage in creative, independent play. You might be puzzled if you should go for Magna-Tiles or Playmags and this is why I wrote this article.
Whether it is blocks that need to be stuck together or simply click together with the use of magnets, building blocks can keep my daughter entertained while I try to get done with some work. 🙂
My personal favorite is the Playmags because it has such a wide variety of shapes. It’s also budget-friendly! Keep reading to discover more about both items!
Differences and similarities – Magna-Tiles vs Playmags
Essentially, Magna-Tiles and Playmags appear to be very similar products. Magna-Tiles are a variety of different colored magnetic blocks designed to improve fine motor skills. Playmags on the other hand, are designed to improve creativity, math, and even problem-solving skills. I’ve listed a few of the key differences that you should consider when you’re choosing your favorite.
Price
When it comes to price, it might be a good idea to compare what your little one is getting for the money you’re spending. Playmags are generally much cheaper than Magna-Tiles. Since there are different-sized packages available, you can always start off with smaller, cheaper options and build up the collection.
Safety
Both Playmags and Magna-Tiles don’t contain any BPA, PVC, latex, or other toxic materials, making them safe to play with. You might need to check for sharp edges.
Design (shape)
One thing you want for your children is toys that give them wider exposure to different shapes and sizes. In a regular Playmags set, you’ll get a mixture of squares, window squares, rectangles, and triangles. Magna-Tiles on the other hand only have a few options of triangles and squares.
Here’s a clip showing you how to make a handy globe using Magna-tiles.
Size
Playmags and Magna-Tiles are very similar in size and execution. With a base length of 3”, the Playmags blocks are virtual copies of the Magna-Tiles. Package sizes vary for each brand, with some kits having as little as 20 pieces and other kits containing as much as 150 pieces. Smaller kits can be bought as add ons to larger kits.
Magnetic strength and shape
One of the key differences between these two products is the strength of their magnets. Magna-Tile magnets are stronger which makes building larger constructions somewhat easier. Magna-Tiles also have a neater finish with a shinier appearance.
Take a look at this YouTube video to see how you can build shapes using the Playmags Magna Tiles and their strength.
Material
Both options are high-quality ceramic magnets secured inside each tile. Each shape is made with polypropylene food-grade plastic. This means that there’s no cause for concern if little hands put the pieces in their mouths!
Storage
Both brands only offer the small cardboard boxes the blocks originally came in. It’s often difficult to get the blocks back into the boxes. Additionally, the boxes aren’t very durable. You might want to buy a separate storage box to keep the blocks safe and together. Magna-Tile has a storage box sold separately.
Durability
The Playmags box boasts that the blocks are now “made with new super mags, twice as strong”. Since the Magna-Tiles are slightly smaller, they are slightly more lightweight. This doesn’t mean they’re any less durable. Both options are quite durable!
Here’s a clip showing how strong the new Playmags are!
Are Magna-Tiles compatible with Playmags?
Yes! The best part of magnet tiles is that most types are based on the original Magna-Tiles design. This means most brands are compatible with each other which includes Playmags. This is a huge plus as once children learn how much fun they can have with a particular set, they’ll want their collection to grow!
Magna-Tiles 100-Piece Set
One of the more popular package sizes from the Magna-Tiles range is the Magna-Tiles 100-Piece Clear Colours Set. Commonly referred to as the original 3D magnetic building set, this package contains 100 translucent, multi-colored shapes.
This kit is fun and engaging because it develops science, maths, and tactile skills. Pieces are safe, durable, and built to last long past your children’s toy-playing years. With a range of squares and triangles, they’ll be able to create anything they can think of!
What it contains
The 100 piece package contains the following:
- 50 small squares
- 4 large squares
- 20 equilateral triangles
- 11 right triangles
- 15 isosceles triangle
Why you should consider it
These blocks are great for problem-solving, improving fine motor skills as well as hand-eye coordination.
Pros
- Good magnet strength
- Tough and durable
- Compatible with most other magnet building brands
- Easy to disassemble and store
Cons
- Magna-Tiles can be quite costly, which can be bothersome if you’re on a budget.
Playmags 100-Piece Set
A similar, yet more budget-friendly option is the Playmags 100-piece Colourful Tile Set.
This classic magnetic playset allows children to play and learn at the same time. Playmags boast being SUPERMAGS making them durable and strong. They’re perfect for building tall 3D structures.
Playmags combine fun and learning to teach children a whole host of developmental skills. The blocks are perfect for preschool games & group activities. Playmags are also ideally suited to children aged 3+.
What it contains
The 100-Piece set includes 82 tiles and is made up of the following:
- 2 large square tiles
- 26 small square tiles
- 3 rectangular tiles
- 10 right-angled triangles
- 8 acute-angled triangle
- 12 equilateral triangles
- 2 windows
- 5 click in windows
- 13 click in alphabet letters
Why you should consider it
Playmags is ideal for teaching your child the following skills:
- Motor skills & shape recognition
- Perfect for preschool games
- Stimulate problem-solving
Pros
- Affordable
- Wide variety of shapes
- Compatible with other magnetic blocks
- Easily to store
Cons
- Quality can be slightly inferior to Magna-Tiles
Add-on accessory sets
As your children start learning to use magnetic blocks, they’ll no doubt want additional kits and even accessories to make their building time more fun!
Magna-Tiles
Magna-Tiles has two very popular accessory kits that your children will enjoy. The Magna-Tiles Storage Bin & Interactive Play-Mat provides the ideal storage bin for all their blocks. The interactive playmat provides an ideal play space for their creations. Another popular Magna-Tiles add-on kit is the Magna-Tiles Cars Expansion Set which is made up of 2 cars that will complement any creative design.
Playmags
One of the fun accessories you can add to your child’s Playmags set is a Playmags 20 Piece Train Set which will add mins (or hours?) of extra fun to the designs they’re building.
A bit about the brands
Magna-Tiles
Magna-Tiles have been around since 1997, and have grown in popularity over the years. As with other building blocks, they can be assembled into a wide variety of structures and towers.
Valtech prides itself on being a toy manufacturer that has never experienced a toy recall in 20 years of business. With their exceptional safety record, their toys are not only fun, engaging but made from the highest quality non-toxic materials.
You also want to see if Magna-Tiles are compatible with other tiles: how Picasso tiles compare to Magna-Tiles as well as differences between Magna-tiles and Magformers!
Playmags
There isn’t much information about Playmags regarding their history or company in general. With addresses in London, China, and the U.S., it’s clear the brand is well known across the globe.
Conclusion
When it comes to Magna-Tiles vs Playmags, it should be noted that both products are a great way for your child to learn independent play. Playmags are a cheaper alternative to MagnaTiles and they have an extensive variety of shapes, too. This is why I recommend this option.
Magna-tiles on the other hand, are slightly more expensive but provide quality magnetic pieces. Ultimately, both options are the ideal way to increase your little one’s problem-solving abilities and creative thinking!
Last update on 2024-04-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
