5 Best Tinkertoys

Lots of childhood toys from days of yore are making a comeback, and perhaps the most old-school one is the Tinkertoy set. 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, but they help with important learning and development that can prepare your child for school and real-life skills that can put them ahead of their peers. Tinkertoy sets 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.