3 Easy Magna-Tile Learning Games for Toddlers and Preschoolers

If your house is anything like ours, Magna-Tiles are constantly finding their way into playtime. While they’re fantastic for open-ended building, they’re also an easy way to sneak learning into your day without your child feeling like they’re doing “school.” In this post, I’m sharing three simple Magna-Tiles games that encourage early math, literacy, and critical thinking skills, all while keeping play at the center of the experience 🥳

Why Magna-Tiles Are More Than Just a Building Toy

Magna-Tiles, Picasso Tiles, whatever brand it is, you have most likely heard of this quick-to-fame toy. It’s warranted too! This new style building block has taken over the creative space for young kids and I believe it’s partially due to its insane versatility.

We have had Magna-Tiles in our house for years, adding a few more with each passing birthday or holiday season. My son absolutely adores them and it is easily his most played with toy! He has gone from building simple stacks to creating crazy structures and sculptures. He has even begun mimicking my husband’s verbiage and now tells us when he needs to “add stability” 😅

This is exactly why I love them so much too, they are rich with learning opportunities! While your little one builds and plays, they are growing in all new ways. Here are just a few of our favorite learning games…

Game 1: Magna-Tile Board Game

This one is simple to set up, and offers a ton of variety for repeating it in the future! Rolling the dice and moving spaces help young children with early math concepts like counting and subitizing. Adding in small challenges using sticky notes also presents them with problem-solving opportunities! Plus, if you happen to reach the end before they do, they get to practice early sportsmanship 👏

Here’s how to set it up:

1. Gather square Magna-Tiles, sticky notes, and small figurines to act as game pieces.
   
   
2. Build your board, making turns or even forks in the road! Get as creative as your space allows.
   
   
3. Using the open tiles, place sticky notes with small challenges written on them, beneath the tile. That way if you or your child land on them, you have to do that action! Think movement, jumping spaces, silly faces, etc.
   
   
4. Play! You could play with as many people as you have game pieces. It’s fun for the whole family (with super secret hidden learning)

Game 2: Magna-Tile Shape Hunt

This is a perfect rainy day activity, and it was pretty simple to create! It teaches problem solving skills while also allowing your little one to practice color, shape, and pattern recognition! It’s a great follow-up if you’ve been working through other fun ways to teach your toddler colors. They’ll get to show off the hues they’ve already learned. So use that geometric and descriptive vocabulary and have fun with it! 🔍

Here’s how to make this:

1. Get a large piece of paper, markers, and some various shaped/colored Magna-Tiles.
   
   
2. Trace the shapes in their matching color onto your paper. It doesn’t have to be a perfect match, but something close enough for them to recognize it!
   
   
3. Hide the shapes around your house at or around your child’s height.
   PRO TIP: Make sure there are no rogue Magna-Tiles out before hiding them 😅
   
   
4. Guide your little learner through finding them, describing them, then matching them to the poster! I stuck mine to the fridge so it would be magnetic, but you could also put it on the floor.
   
   
5. Keep hunting till the game is complete! Celebrate their victory then celebrate another hidden learning lesson.

Game 3: Magna-Tile Name Puzzle

Are you currently in the trenches of teaching your little one how to write/spell their name? Well this game takes that same lesson and turns it into something challenging and intriguing for them! Letter formation, spelling, and lots of fun building 💕

Here’s all it took:

1. Get a large piece of paper, you’ll most likely need to do this horizontally. You’ll also need a wide variety of Magna-Tiles and a marker!
   
   
2. Build your child’s name, letter by letter.
   
   
3. Trace the entire letter, not each tile. Then remove the tiles so only the outline is left.
   
   
4. Give them the set amount of Magna-Tiles and have them try to build each letter!
   
   
5. Celebrate another completed lesson by spelling it out all together.
   
   *To simplify this lesson for beginners – keep the tiles for each letter separate, so they have a smaller amount to build from.

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Final Thoughts

One of my favorite things about Magna-Tiles is how easily they grow alongside your child. A toy that starts as simple stacking practice can become a tool for learning letters, shapes, counting, and so much more! Whether you try one of these activities or use them as inspiration for your own creations, I hope they help you discover a few new ways to turn everyday play into meaningful learning 💕

❤️ Until next time