Comes with 192 gears and blocks in many colors and sizes. Also includes resizeable chain, 2 pegboards, connector pieces, and idea sheet. Washable. Encourages teamwork. Skin safe and phthalate-safe. BPA-free and lead-free. Comes with a storage bin.

Cons

Try to be gentle with the pegs on the pegboard, as they can break off.

Best Bang for the Buck

Learning Resources

Gears! Gears! Gears! Deluxe Building Set

This brightly-colored gear set has more than 100 pieces for your child to explore and build simple designs. She can also design her own creation. For ages 3 and up.

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Bottom Line

This brightly-colored gear set has more than 100 pieces for your child to explore and build simple designs. She can also design her own creation. For ages 3 and up.

Pros

100-piece set. Choice of primary colors or pastels. Interconnecting gears give opportunity to experiment with simple mechanics. Supports STEM through sorting, grouping, designing and introducing to physics. Increases fine motor coordination. Well-made and durable.

Cons

Foundation pieces are hard to snap into place, but this can encourage you to work with the child.

K'NEX Education

Intro to Simple Machines: Gear Set

Designed for children in grades 3 through 5, this big-kid gear set comes with lesson plans for 7 fully-functioning, real-world gear models.

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Bottom Line

Designed for children in grades 3 through 5, this big-kid gear set comes with lesson plans for 7 fully-functioning, real-world gear models.

Pros

Comes with 198 parts and pieces. Can build 7 fully- functioning gear models of simple machines. Comes with a thorough teacher's guide and experiment guides that can help show science concepts in action. Science guides are aligned to national standards. Comes with storage box.

Cons

Pieces may be difficult to snap together at first, but loosen over time.

Learning Resources

Gears! Gears! Gears! Movin' Monkeys Building Set

Uses basic gears to move monkeys through the jungle. Manufacturer recommends this set for ages 4 and up, but most children under age 6 will need significant help to build.

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Bottom Line

Uses basic gears to move monkeys through the jungle. Manufacturer recommends this set for ages 4 and up, but most children under age 6 will need significant help to build.

Pros

Comes with 136 pieces, including uniform-size plastic gears, connectors, crank, base plates, and monkeys. Use gears designs to make monkeys fly through the palm trees. Comes with step-by-step instructions but can also be used for free play. Intended for ages 4 and up.

Cons

Parent will need to do much of the setup for younger children.

Quercetti

Kaleido Gears

The colorful gears in this set really capture toddlers' attention, and the base plates can be built flat or in 3-dimensional shapes.

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Bottom Line

The colorful gears in this set really capture toddlers' attention, and the base plates can be built flat or in 3-dimensional shapes.

Pros

55-piece set. 6 largest gears have stickers that look more intriguing with motion. Comes with a variety of gear sizes, axles and crank. Square base pieces easily interlock in flat or 3D formation. Recommended for ages 3 to 7.

Cons

Plastic prongs used to connect pieces can break, so be sure to use them gently.

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First Reviewed

December 26, 2021

Models
considered

Hours
researched

Written by Melinda Harris

Updated December 2021

Gears building sets allow children to connect pieces of building material together in a fashion that creates a machine. Most of the sets have an electrical component which allows your child to compose a design, turn it on, and watch it spin. They are a creative toy, though gear sets can be a little more complicated than other building block toys. Gear building sets do a good job of helping children explore engineering as they solve the puzzle of fitting blocks together correctly for their machine to work. An option to consider is a set that comes with a gear chain for added challenges. Gears building sets come with a lot of small pieces. It is a good idea to choose one with a sturdy box or carrying case, or to make sure you buy one to go with it. These toys are definitely for children who have learned to not put toys in their mouth.

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