Building sets for children – experience creativity and technology through play

Building sets inspire children and adults alike and offer the perfect mix of creativity, technology, and learning. Whether classic wooden building blocks, modern construction systems, or high-tech sets with electronics and programming – building sets promote motor skills, logical thinking, and problem-solving skills through play. In recent years, we have created and tested numerous articles on various construction sets on Messe.TV. Here you will find an overview of our most exciting videos and reports.

Popular construction sets from leading brands

1. What makes a good construction set?

Modern construction sets offer much more than just stacking bricks. A good construction set promotes creativity, technical skills, and spatial awareness. Factors such as material quality, expandability, and thematic diversity play a major role.

2. Overview of construction set types

Construction sets are available in numerous variations that promote different skills.

• Classic construction sets Classic construction sets made of wood or plastic are the perfect introduction to the world of building. They promote creativity, spatial thinking, and fine motor skills by offering unlimited possibilities for free construction. From simple plug-in systems to complex building structures, these construction sets allow children and adults to let their imaginations run wild.
• Technology and robot construction sets For anyone who is enthusiastic about mechanics and technology, technology and robot construction sets offer exciting challenges. Gears, motors, and sensors bring movement into play and show how technical systems work. Whether bridges, machines, or remote-controlled robots—these construction kits allow you to learn the basics of engineering in a playful way.
• Electronics and programming kits Electronics and programming kits are ideal for anyone who wants to take their first steps into the world of technology. Children and young people can learn in a playful way how simple circuits work or how to program with microcontrollers. Interactive experiments result in glowing LEDs, smart sensors, or even small robots that respond to commands.
• Theme-based kits Themed kits offer specific projects in various areas of interest, such as architecture, vehicles, machines, or science. Budding architects can recreate famous buildings, and young engineers can design a functioning gearbox. These kits combine creative fun with practical knowledge and are perfect for anyone who is enthusiastic about specific areas.

3. Learning factor: Why construction sets are more than just toys

Construction sets are not only an entertaining activity, but also a valuable learning tool. They promote creativity, logical thinking, and technical skills by providing playful access to STEM skills (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). Children learn how mechanical constructions work or how simple programs are created through their own experimentation. A major advantage of construction kits is that they strengthen problem-solving skills. When building, children have to overcome challenges, understand instructions, and find creative solutions. This improves their spatial awareness and logical thinking. At the same time, experiment kits make scientific principles such as electricity, magnetism, and mechanics tangible. Construction sets also offer adults a meaningful leisure activity that promotes concentration and fine motor skills. They are particularly valuable as a cross-generational activity, as they enable joint learning and creative work. With modern technologies such as programmable robots or app-controlled construction sets, they are constantly evolving and combining classic construction with digital innovations.

4. Popular construction set brands and their special features

• LEGO – The world's best-known construction set with endless possibilities LEGO is more than just a toy – it is a creative system that has been inspiring generations for decades. With a huge selection of bricks, sets, and themes, both children and adults can let their imaginations run wild. From simple structures to complex engineering and robotics models, LEGO offers countless opportunities to learn about construction, logic, and design in a playful way.
• Fischertechnik – Engineering construction sets for the engineers of tomorrow Fischertechnik stands for sophisticated construction kits that make mechanical and technical principles tangible. With gears, motors, and sensors, children and young people can construct machines, vehicles, or robot systems and thus gain their first insights into the world of engineering. These construction kits are ideal for budding inventors and promote a deep understanding of mechanics and electronics.
• KOSMOS & Franzis – Experiment kits for science and electronics The experiment kits from KOSMOS and Franzis bring hands-on science into the children's room. Whether chemistry, physics, or electronics – these sets can be used to carry out exciting experiments that teach scientific concepts in a playful way. These construction sets are ideal for curious minds, helping them to understand electrical circuits, discover programming, or explore chemical reactions.
• Gravitrax & Co. – Marble runs and physics construction sets for creative thinkers Marble runs such as Gravitrax combine the laws of physics with creative play. Through various building elements such as magnetism, tracks, or catapults, children learn about principles such as gravity, speed, and energy transfer in a playful way. These interactive construction sets promote logical thinking, dexterity, and problem-solving skills in a fascinating construction game.

Each of these brands offers unique opportunities to experience technology, science, and creativity. Whether classic building blocks, sophisticated technology sets, or interactive ball tracks—construction sets are a valuable tool for promoting knowledge and imagination. The latest models can be discovered every year at the Toy Fair .

5. The future of construction sets: digitalization and smart systems

The world of construction kits is developing rapidly, combining classic construction with state-of-the-art technology. Digital elements such as apps, augmented reality (AR), and programmable robots expand the possibilities and create completely new learning experiences. With interactive instructions on a tablet or AR-supported extensions, construction projects can be implemented more intuitively and tested in a virtual environment. Smart construction kits make it possible to control models via tablets and smartphones, program complex movement sequences, or develop your own functions. The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) is particularly exciting, as it makes construction kits more interactive and allows for individual customization. This enables robots to react independently to their environment or become increasingly smarter through machine learning. These new technologies make construction kits even more accessible, creative, and future-oriented. Children and young people can learn to program in a playful way, while technology enthusiasts can experiment with sensors and automation. With the increasing convergence of the digital and physical worlds, the construction kit of the future will not only be a toy, but an interactive tool for developing technical skills and creative problem-solving.