Christmas gifts for a brother who builds things, $50 to $100
LEGO
Planet Earth and Moon in Orbit
$74.99 at LEGO
Named by Good Housekeeping, 2026.
Checked 31 Aug 2026
Thames and Kosmos
Gecko Run Marble Run Challenge Edition
$79.95 at Thames and Kosmos
The larger window set, with loops and a launcher that turn the track into a problem rather than a straight drop.
Seen at Thames and Kosmos, 30 Aug 2026
PlanToys
Spinning Gears Playset
$54.99 at PlanToys
Wooden gears that only turn if they are placed right, which is the first machine most children build on purpose.
Seen at PlanToys, 30 Aug 2026
Magna-Tiles
Castle Deluxe 48 Piece Set
$69.99 at Magna-Tiles
Enough tiles and castle pieces to build something worth leaving up overnight, and they mix with every other set.
Seen at Magna-Tiles, 30 Aug 2026
Makey Makey
Makey Makey Classic
$51.95 at Makey Makey
Alligator clips turn bananas and pencil drawings into keyboard keys, and it needs no software on any computer.
Seen at Makey Makey, 30 Aug 2026
Melissa & Doug
Blockables All Around Town Gift Bundle
$59.99 at Melissa & Doug
Chunky wooden blocks that lock into buildings and vehicles, sized for hands still too small for the fiddlier building sets.
Seen at Melissa & Doug, 30 Aug 2026
PlanToys
Little Tool Bench
$99.99 at PlanToys
A wooden workbench with tools that really turn the nuts and bolts, for the child who follows a parent around during repairs.
Seen at PlanToys, 30 Aug 2026
Thames and Kosmos
My Robotic Pet Coding Chameleon
$54.95 at Thames and Kosmos
It gets built from the motor up and then programmed to fire its tongue at things, so the coding has a visible payoff.
Seen at Thames and Kosmos, 30 Aug 2026
LEGO
City Fire Station with Fire Truck Toy
$79.99 at LEGO
Named by Good Housekeeping, 2026.
Checked 31 Aug 2026
Magna-Tiles
Downhill Duo 40 Piece Set
$69.99 at Magna-Tiles
Tiles plus ramps and cars, so the building has a point at the end of it and the tower gets used instead of admired.
Seen at Magna-Tiles, 30 Aug 2026
Melissa & Doug
Deluxe Jumbo Cardboard Blocks, 40 Pieces
$54.99 at Melissa & Doug
Big printed blocks a toddler can carry and stack head high, then knock over without anybody getting hurt.
Seen at Melissa & Doug, 30 Aug 2026
LEGO
Creator 3-in-1 Wild Animals: Majestic Lion
$69.99 at LEGO
Named by Good Housekeeping, 2026.
Checked 31 Aug 2026
Magna-Tiles
Undersea Adventure 58 Piece Set
$89.99 at Magna-Tiles
A large magnetic tile set themed around the sea, for the child who has the plain tiles and has run out of ideas.
Seen at Magna-Tiles, 30 Aug 2026
LEGO
SMART Play: Darth Vader's TIE Fighter
$69.99 at LEGO
Named by Good Housekeeping, 2026.
Checked 31 Aug 2026
LEGO
Star Wars The Mandalorian Helmet Model 75328
$69.99 at Target
Named by The Strategist, 2025.
Checked 31 Aug 2026
LEGO
Technic Aston Martin Valkyrie Toy Car
$64.99 at LEGO
Named by Popular Mechanics, 2025.
Checked 31 Aug 2026
LEGO
Star Wars SMART Play: Luke's Red Five X-Wing
$89.99 at LEGO
Named by Good Housekeeping, 2026.
Checked 31 Aug 2026
LEGO
Disney Kevin and Dug
$59.99 at LEGO
A buildable brick set of two characters from an animated film, for kids ages 6 to 12.
Seen at LEGO, 3 Sep 2026