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TOP 7 Bridge Building Kits For Kids in 2022

When you’re wanting to buy a toy for the kids in your life, you may be wondering where to begin.

Rather than buy them a stuffed animal or a cheap doll, you may end up wanting to look into finding something of higher quality and something that helps them in the long run.

A toy that helps your child’s learning comprehension and to learn the value of hard work is something they can build and something they can have fun creating as well.

With this, what should you get your child as a gift?

Something you could consider as a choice would be something along the lines of a building kit.

While showing children how science can be involved in the building process of structures, it can also help shape their minds into understanding how things are made, how just about anything can be built from scratch, and it may even help them shape their goals for the future.

While this knowledge applies to just about any type of building kit, this compiled list will be for bridge-building kits in particular.

Though it may seem a bit complicated, these building kits are designed with children in mind to understand how bridge structures are made and support themselves.

Though it’ll take a bit of research to learn about what kits your kids can put together, this list has been put together to help make a tough decision a little bit easier.

With that, here are – in no particular order – the top 7 best bridge-building kits for kids…

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Best Bridge Building Kits For Kids – TOP 7 List

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1. Thames & Kosmos Structural Engineering: Bridges & Skyscrapers

Overview

The Thames & Kosmos Structural Engineering building kit is a box of 285 interchangeable pieces you and your child can put together to build various structures.

You can build 20 different models to learn about science to study how the architecture of bridges and buildings are arranged.

Provided within the kit is a 36-page illustrated manual and assembly guide for structures you can build.

User Experiences

User T1704 reviews the Thames & Kosmos kit with words of how they purchased the kit for their 10-year-old child.

“In this midst of him building the structure, he realized there was a part missing in the kit. I contacted Thames & Kosmos directly, and they sent out the replacement part that day – very friendly and customer-service oriented.”

Pros & Cons

Pros

• ✅ Comes with user manual to help your children learn about structures to build

• ✅ Both buildings and bridges can be built from the pieces

• ✅ Users contacting the Thames & Kosmos company note having a positive experience

Cons

• ❌ The pins within the kit can be hard to take apart and work with

• ❌ The parts can be complicated to understand for children too young

Alternative(s)

If you’re searching for other building kits with the Thames & Kosmos design in mind, these alternatives may be something to consider!

Thames & Kosmos Simple Machines Building Kit

Though not a kit for building bridges, this is another building kit with a science image in mind.

If your child is more interested in how machines are put together as well as bridges, this can be a great alternative to the Thames & Kosmos Structural Engineering Kit.

Alternative(s) within this list:

• Engino STEM Structures Constructions & Bridges

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2. Engino STEM Structures Constructions & Bridges

Overview

Engino’s bridge-building kit brings to life more complicated structures for your kids to build.

For budding engineers who are eager to learn about the way bridges are structured, this kit allows you to build 9 working models and includes a 12-page booklet of theory and facts on the structures.

Also included is a 3-page quiz, a 6-page booklet of experimental activities, and a 16-paged step-by-step guide with 3D rendered illustrations.

User Experiences

With the review on the kit, scicdad states their review as such:

“I am using this kit as a part of a STEM [Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math] class for 9 thru 12 yr olds.”

With the explanation of their lessons, they compliment Engino’s bridge-building kit.

“The bridge design options provide students with hands-on construction of specific structures. There are also opportunities to explore the relative strength of one design approach with another.”

Pros & Cons

Pros

• ✅ Provides a great learning experience on the structures

• ✅ Instructions are simple enough to understand

Cons

• ❌ Common complaints surround how there are only enough pieces to build the structures one at a time

 

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Alternative(s)

If you’re searching for alternatives to the Engino building kit, common alternatives turn toward other STEM learning kits.

MOBIUS Toys STEM Kit – IQ Building Blocks

If the STEM part of the Engino bridge-building kit was what caught your eye, this is an affordable way for your child to learn more about the ins and outs of science.

Though it doesn’t build bridges, it’s another decent toy to help teach your child about building other forms.

Alternative(s) within this list:

• LEGO Architecture San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge Building Kit
• K’NEX Education – Real Bridge Building Set

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3. LEGO Minecraft The Blaze Bridge Building Kit

Overview

From the well-known brand of LEGO comes a toy your child may love just because of the game it’s based on!

Inspired by the countless world-building features of Minecraft comes a bridge-building kit based on a bridge found within the Nether – a fiery, monster-based world – in the game.

With the kit comes 370 pieces to put together, parts based on ground blocks within the game, and miniature figurines based on a few characters and creatures from the game.

User Experiences

Various users review positively for the product. User Natalie Ambrose states…

“My son loves this set! It was a gift for his birthday. He’s a true engineer brained kid, so this was a perfect way for him to keep his hands busy and let his imagination wander!”

Pros & Cons

Pros

• ✅ Easy for young children to put together

• ✅ Based on a game many love to play, which can help motivate the use of the kit

Cons

• ❌ Like many LEGO products, accidentally stepping on these would hurt

• ❌ Less based on engineering and actual bridge-building like many other kits

Alternative(s)

Most of the alternatives for the LEGO Minecraft The Blaze Bridge Building Kit are typically other Minecraft kits.

Though they may be a bit far and in between, there is an alternative here and there with a focus on structure building.

LEGO Minecraft The Pirate Ship Adventure

If the Minecraft aspect for a building kit is what you’re after, this kit maintains the same quality as the LEGO Minecraft The Blaze Bridge Building Kit.

Though not a bridge-building kit, this kit does allow your child to build a ship structure.

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4. CubicFun National Geographic 3D Britain’s The Tower Bridge Model Kit

Overview

With this kit, your child will be able to learn about the historical knowledge from the National Geographic series.

This kit is intended to help with your logical thinking through a hands-on approach.

The kit comes with 120 pieces, an instruction manual, and a National Geographic booklet.

User Experiences

JKasu states buying the kit for their 3-year-old son to see, as he wouldn’t be old enough to build it.

“I was expecting it to be like a toy. But it’s like [the] real one. Assembling took time but I loved it. Good for kids who can build it themselves.”

Pros & Cons

Pros

• ✅ Very detailed for a model

• ✅ Great for older children who like putting together models

• ✅ Teaches about history and architecture

Cons

• ❌ The pieces can be complicated to put together

• ❌ The way the pieces are organized can leave a lot to be desired

Alternative(s)

Many of the alternatives for the CubicFun National Geographic 3D Britain’s The Tower Bridge Model Kit are other National Geographic products!

CubicFun National Geographic 3D St. Mark’s Square

If your child is fond of the National Geographic approach for model kits, there are a few other kits based on real locations.

Though it may not be a bridge, kits from the company include – but aren’t just limited to – structures such as Italy’s St. Mark’s Square, America’s Empire State Building, or even the Sagrada Familia from Spain.

CubicFun 3D Puzzle London Cityline Architecture

With details depicting key parts of London, this smaller and affordable model kit showcases the city.

Structures shown within the city include Big Ben, the Tower Bridge, Buckingham Palace, The London Eye, the Queen Victoria Monument, and the River Thames.

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5. LEGO Architecture San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge Building Kit

Overview

Created under the LEGO brand, this model kit brings to life the San Francisco skyline with its version of the city’s Golden Gate Bridge.

Also included in the kit are the structures the Transamerica Pyramid, the “painted ladies” Victorian homes, 555 California Street, the Salesforce Tower, and Alcatraz Island.

User Experiences

A user only listed as Grant states how

“it’s like visiting San Francisco (minus the traffic).”

The review includes the comment of how Grant…

“lived and worked in the Bay Area for three years and loved seeing the skyline while crossing the bridge each morning. This Lego set captures the essence of the city and features key highlights of San Francisco.”

This goes to show how even though the kits may be intended for children at times, even adults can find enjoyment in their design.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• ✅ Strong attention to detail

• ✅ Accurate representation of San Francisco

• ✅ More realistic than typical LEGO kits

Cons

• ❌ Instructions can be a bit confusing

• ❌ Not as kid-friendly as other kits

Alternative(s)

If you’ve got an appreciation for the San Francisco skyline, there are other choices of a similar caliber in design.

LEGO Architecture London Skyline Collection

Also under the LEGO Architecture brand, this skyline collection based on London structures wonderfully depicts Tower Bridge and the National Gallery among other parts of the city.

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6. K’NEX Education – Real Bridge Building Set

Overview

Able to build 7 famous bridges, this K’NEX kit comes with more than 2,000 pieces.

This kit is intended to be a great learning tool for children and teenagers alike.

Bridges able to be built range from the Golden Gate Bridge to the Sydney Harbour Bridge to other well-known structures.

User Experiences

Micheal J. P. shares his story of giving this K’NEX kit to his son…

“As soon as my son opened this set he started making the bridges. A few days later we have 3 bridges sitting on our dining room table.”

Pros & Cons

Pros

• ✅ Fun for you and your family to put together

• ✅ Great for STEM teaching on structure building

Cons

• ❌ Extremely expensive in costs for those with tight budgets

• ❌ Does not come with a Teachers’ Guide despite saying it does (though thankfully the guide is available online!)

Alternative(s)

The closest alternatives to the K’NEX Education – Real Bridge Building Set are already on this list!

Alternative(s) within this list:

• Engino STEM Structures Constructions & Bridges
• K’NEX Education – Intro to Structures: Bridges Set

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7. K’NEX Education – Intro to Structures: Bridges Set

Overview

An affordable choice compared to other K’NEX products, this introduction to structure-building comes with 207 pieces.

These pieces can be attached in a multitude of ways, which can lead to the building of multiple structures.

With the Teachers’ Guide, you can help your children with the building process of 13 different bridges.

User Experiences

An anonymous Amazon Customer purchased the kit for their kids.

Their kids were able to put together bridges with minimal adult supervision…

“The bridges they have built so far have turned out pretty neat. The storage case for the pieces seems sturdy.”

Unfortunately, they mention the difficulty of using the pieces…

“The pieces have a tendency to be difficult to both snap together and take apart.”

They also mention how there aren’t many extra pieces available in case pieces break and need to be replaced.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• ✅ Easy for your children to understand without much supervision

• ✅ Affordable cost

Cons

• ❌ The pieces are hard to put together

• ❌ There are not many replacement parts if things break

Alternative(s)

Much like the K’NEX Education – Real Bridge Building Set, there are not many bridge-building kits available in a similar design to the K’NEX brand.

Alternative(s) within this list:

• Engino STEM Structures Constructions & Bridges
• K’NEX Education – Real Bridge Building Set

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Final Note On These Best Bridge Building Kits…

Even though bridge-building kits can be difficult to come across, their ability to help children develop a sense of learning how structures are formed and how the science behind architecture works can be a rewarding learning experience.

If you consider buying a gift for the imaginative children in your life and they happen to have a knack for learning how things are put together, consider the magic of a bridge modeling kit!