3 cool non-LEGO building sets, just to keep things interesting around the playroom

My kids are all about their LEGOs, but I've also been keeping my eye on some cool non-LEGO building sets to keep things interesting around the playroom. These three allow kids to build things they can't with their LEGOs, and I have to sa…

3 cool non-LEGO building sets for kids: Brackitz Driver set
My kids are all about their LEGOs, but I've also been keeping my eye on some cool non-LEGO building sets to keep things interesting around the playroom. These three allow kids to build things they can't with their LEGOs, and I have to say, I'm very impressed. If you're looking for a gift that's a little more unexpected than another LEGO set (although, this will never disappoint), then try one of these. We think the kids in your life will give them two thumbs up too. CMP is an rstyle affiliate At top: Brackitz Driver set

Related: Tegu's massive 130-piece magnetic wooden blocks set are a CMP favorite

We received a sample set of Brackitz, and they've been covering the floor in various shapes and arrangements every day since. The pieces are sturdy plastic, and will definitely hold up to steady play over a long time. There are a huge variety of sets on Amazon, ranging from the number of pieces included to the add-on Driver set (at very top), which turns your creations into cars that roll.

You can even find sets with wooden bars instead of the plastic pieces, if that's more your style. That said, I prefer the plastic pieces because the holes along the bars give you more options for building.

Related: LEGO and tape had a love child, and your kids are going to freak!

I'm fascinated by these colorful Reptangles, which are turtle shaped building pieces you can snap together to make interesting shapes. You're more limited here than you are with some other sets, due to the unique and somewhart complicated shape of the pieces. You're not going to be building a replica of Hogwarts with these.

That said, they come with more than 50 puzzles that will challenge older kids to recreate the shapes shown, but we think preschoolers will have just as much fun stacking and connecting these.

Related: Three cool LEGO add-on sets that make your builds even cooler

The round interlocking Atesson building blocks are great for very young children who haven't quite mastered the art of connecting brackets and gears, which some more complicated sets have. Plus, they're a lot easier on the bare feet than LEGOs are. And that alone is worth something.

More in KidsView all picks →

Q&A with children's book creator LeUyen Pham

Q&A with children's book creator LeUyen Pham

If you've been following us lately, you know how excited we are about our new Q&A books series. The chance to chat with authors like Sophie Blackall , LeUyen Pham, and the others coming up soon has been thrilling and delightful. And we'r…

Hanna Andersson: The pajamas we splurge on because they last forever

Hanna Andersson: The pajamas we splurge on because they last forever

Some kids’ pajamas are cute for approximately five minutes—and then they’re stretched out, faded, or covered in breakfast and stained forever. If you’re going to spend a little more on children’s sleepwear, it makes sense to choose somet…

Cool clothes for stylish kids

Cool clothes for stylish kids

Some kids’ shopping feels like a treasure hunt—in the best possible way. Maisonette is the online destination for moms who want children’s clothes, toys, accessories, and home finds that feel a little more special than the usual lineup. …