https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 19 Apr 2026 20:19:57 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gift-for-three-year-oldmagnatiles-question#post-2831330 Fri, 29 Jun 2018 11:47:58 +0000 Dahlia 2831330@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks, everyone! You've been very helpful. I think we've decided to just get her some small stickers etc. before we go and let her pick out a new toy or two when we get there. Will probably do the Magnatiles or a variation of them for Christmas when we're back. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gift-for-three-year-oldmagnatiles-question#post-2831260 Fri, 29 Jun 2018 09:10:59 +0000 Mommy Finger 2831260@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@kiddosc: That review is awesome! We also have a mix of magna tiles and picasso and they work well together. Groupon often has the picasso tiles on sale.</p> <p>DS1 didn't really get into magnatiles until he turned 5 but now he loves them. My 3yo is still unsure but knows he likes to knock down the structures big brother builds! Cue the screaming! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gift-for-three-year-oldmagnatiles-question#post-2831258 Fri, 29 Jun 2018 09:08:10 +0000 looch 2831258@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My view on magnatiles is you really need a big set to do any kind of building and I am not convinced they are worth it. I wish I had a light box of some sort but I learned about those way late.</p> <p>If you have an ipad, I always recommend Osmo. When I moved abroad, I learned to make my own play dough and I found a ton of items for purchase while I was there. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gift-for-three-year-oldmagnatiles-question#post-2831256 Fri, 29 Jun 2018 09:01:23 +0000 kiddosc 2831256@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>There is an epic review on Amazon comparing picasso tiles and magnatiles. Definitely worth a read. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/R1612K56YTI9EP/ref=cm_cr_dp_d_rvw_ttl?ie=UTF8&#038;ASIN=B00AU56C5W" rel="nofollow">https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/R1612K56YTI9EP/ref=cm_cr_dp_d_rvw_ttl?ie=UTF8&#038;ASIN=B00AU56C5W</a></p> <p>We have both brands and they work together and have both held up well. I like that Picasso has more unique tile options, like windows, and wheel bases. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gift-for-three-year-oldmagnatiles-question#post-2831234 Fri, 29 Jun 2018 08:16:46 +0000 Littlebit7 2831234@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have a 3 year old and we just moved home from being abroad for 3 months. I had a hard time finding play doh which she loves. (I got one of the presses too which was a hit). I also brought a bag of water beads with me (there are like 4000 in a bag). A doctor kit was also a huge hit and relatively lightweight and compact.<br /> Have a great trip! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gift-for-three-year-oldmagnatiles-question#post-2831231 Fri, 29 Jun 2018 08:13:05 +0000 snowjewelz 2831231@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have the other brand magnatiles too and they all work fine! I think maybe the original is a little bit stronger but I just can't stomach the price difference. </p> <p>I have a 3.5 year old DD and she's SUPER into beading and making necklaces/bracelets. And also just crafts in general. I leave her with paper, scissors and glue and she can occupy herself for long periods. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gift-for-three-year-oldmagnatiles-question#post-2831221 Fri, 29 Jun 2018 07:39:28 +0000 Ms.Mermaid 2831221@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have PlayMags and they work great but I’ve heard real magnatiles stand up/don’t collapse as much, and mostly you can get more smaller sets and add-ones for them, the additional PlayMags sets are limited. But my daughter got them for Christmas and plays with them daily. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gift-for-three-year-oldmagnatiles-question#post-2831214 Fri, 29 Jun 2018 07:20:15 +0000 ReadItMama 2831214@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>(To clarify) For regular use at home I would hands-down recommend the Magnatiles, but if I were traveling/living abroad for 5 mths I would invest in the Tegu. Magnatiles are heavy in bulk and require more space for building (flat or 3D).</p> <p>Some magnetic tin games might also be good (memory, tic-tac-toe, tanagrams) - that was the age that interest in games took off, and magnetic makes them good for travel. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gift-for-three-year-oldmagnatiles-question#post-2831212 Fri, 29 Jun 2018 07:18:10 +0000 Becky 2831212@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have Magnetic Stick N Stack which look the same as Magnatiles. I can’t tell the difference between the two (our daycare has Magnatiles so I tested them out there). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gift-for-three-year-oldmagnatiles-question#post-2831208 Fri, 29 Jun 2018 07:00:53 +0000 Baby Boy Mom 2831208@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We've had our magnatiles for 4 years now (kids 7, 5, and 2) and they are in great shape and played with regularly by all three kids. We also have a set of magformers but some of the magnets on those have gotten wonky and they don't fit together correctly anymore.<br /> Other gifts that are packable- melissa and doug reusable sticker pad, water wow, coloring books, 24/36 piece puzzles. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gift-for-three-year-oldmagnatiles-question#post-2831179 Thu, 28 Jun 2018 21:28:39 +0000 Nonimouse 2831179@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have Picasso tiles also and I'm super happy with them (just bought more for my 4yo, actually). I'd say 3.5 is the perfect age for them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gift-for-three-year-oldmagnatiles-question#post-2831178 Thu, 28 Jun 2018 21:15:02 +0000 ChiCalGoBee 2831178@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I bought Magnatiles on sale when my son was one and tucked them away. Now at 3.5 he's obsessed with them. They're fantastic, and we get a lot of use out of them. Yes, they're expensive, but they definitely hold up well and have gotten a ton of use. FWIW, I also have Tegu (not cheap, but a similar concept) and really hate them-the magnets don't hold up as well and I feel like I wasted a ton of money on them. I know some people love them but we think the Magnatiles are much better! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gift-for-three-year-oldmagnatiles-question#post-2831171 Thu, 28 Jun 2018 19:51:34 +0000 Dahlia 2831171@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ReadItMama: Oh we do have a small pouch of those that she likes. Maybe I'll get some more! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gift-for-three-year-oldmagnatiles-question#post-2831169 Thu, 28 Jun 2018 19:40:48 +0000 ReadItMama 2831169@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you are looking for portability and versatility check out Tegu blocks - similar magnetic building, various sets to add to and they have travel cases. They are on the more expensive end, but very high quality - and they do periodically have sales. We have gotten each of our girls the two pouch sets to use on car trips. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gift-for-three-year-oldmagnatiles-question#post-2831167 Thu, 28 Jun 2018 19:15:42 +0000 erinbaderin 2831167@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have Picasso Tiles and while I don’t have anything to compare them to, I’ve been happy with them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gift-for-three-year-oldmagnatiles-question#post-2831155 Thu, 28 Jun 2018 17:54:39 +0000 bhbee 2831155@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>They’re not super cheap (cheaper than magnatiles i think) but my kids love the magformers. Lots of cool sets and have held interest for years. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gift-for-three-year-oldmagnatiles-question#post-2831153 Thu, 28 Jun 2018 17:44:31 +0000 Dahlia 2831153@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What presents do the three year olds in your life love? Bonus points if they're small/portable or will still be very interesting to a 3.5 year old as we're leaving for 5 months abroad shortly after DD's birthday and won't be able to take much. </p> <p>Related question: I'm considering Magnatiles. Is it worth it to buy the original $$$ ones or is there another cheaper brand that works just as well? Thank you! </p>