gift guide: for kids of all ages who love to build

Around here, my two boys are big fans of building materials. At ages three and eight, we have many years of construction under our belts, and as a parent who does not tolerate noisy toys well and does value toys that hold their attention for longer than three minutes, these are some of our all-time favorites.

The Nugget

We are the proud owners of not just one Nugget, but two, and I can confidently say that they are the most played with items in our house by both kids. As in, daily, for the past four years. When Zane was an infant, we actually replaced our coffee table with a Nugget so we could have one less area to baby proof as he began moving around. Not only do they stand up to the wear-and-tear of two energetic boys (and let’s just say they are NOT gentle with them), but they can function as SO MANY THINGS. Seriously. All the things. Ours have been a couch, a stage, an epic fort (add a huge lightweight blanket for added fort fun), a tumbling area, a restaurant, an obstacle course, an extra bed for young guests, a slide, and so much more!


If the Nugget is the most played with item in our house, magnetic tiles are for sure a close second. The great thing about many of these building materials is that you can continue to add on to them for so many birthdays and holidays for years to come. Even my second grader can still enjoy hours of fun with a bin full of tiles. We have two brands, and we’ve enjoyed both of them: the MAGNA-TILES were the first ones that we owned. The have tons of different sets to choose from, including animals, themed sets, and this really awesome new road set. The other brand, which I just discovered last year is Connetix, and while they’re a little pricier, they definitely have their place. The magnets are much stronger, making it easier to build taller creations. Lastly, I have not yet used them, but this super cool ball run from PicassoTiles just happens to be on the boys’ Christmas wishlist. The best part is that the brands are compatible with one another, so you don’t have to commit to just one!


My mom bought these castle blocks for Miles years ago, and they have proven over and over again to be a favorite. For the younger crowd (one to three), they’re great for stacking and working those gross motor skills, but as they grow, these blocks become so great for imaginative play. My kids like to mix all the building materials together, so often, they’ll build a village with a castle made of these and other buildings out of magnetic tiles or a train track around the castle, which brings me to my next gift…


Train tracks! These are another classic and for good reason. Miles got a set of wooden train tracks when he was two, and they’ve been in the toy rotation ever since. Though he’s starting to age out of them now, he’ll still sit down and play trains with his little brother from time to time. There are so many trains and components you can add on to these, and I’d say they make an awesome gift for ages one through five-ish. This basic Brio set is compatible with a ton of other accessories, including the Thomas trains and cool add-ons like this roundhouse.


I’d be remiss if I didn’t include the classic Lego on this list. If you have a toddler, the best place to start is with the Duplo blocks (and please do get the Duplo brand, as they are compatible with the standard smaller Legos once your kid gets past the choking hazard age). The Duplo, in particular, are great because not only can they build so many things with them, but they make a great bath toy, too! Around age four, we started incorporating the classic Legos, and Miles still loves getting Lego sets - in fact, he has this ski themed one on his list. They also make a great parent gift for the kids to pick out - Josh has gotten this Porsche from the boys and I’ve been gifted this succulent set - and it makes for a great family activity for us to assemble them together. If you’re just starting with either the traditional Lego or the Duplo, my go-to is the assorted block sets so that they can let their imaginations run wild.


We bought Miles his first set of Tegu blocks when we lived in Germany - this little set that was perfect for travel and makes a great stocking stuffer - and as with most of these items, we added to it over the years. These are wooden blocks with magnets in the end, so they are great for building structures like houses and towers. We also have this wheel set, and the boys have loved making their own Tegu cars. The Tegu blocks definitely feel like an heirloom toy that will last for many, many years, and they feel a bit safer for a young toddler than something like magnetic tiles, since the magnets are securely imbedded in the blocks and they are pretty much impossible to break. These are definitely a great introduction into building materials for your 1+ year old!


Plus Plus have been a more recent addition to our collection in the past couple of years, and the kids have loved them. The Plus Plus Big are great for younger kids, and there are endless possibilities for the things you can create. They also make a great bath toy! The original size Plus Plus kits come in tons of different themes, make excellent stocking stuffers for elementary age kids, and are great for restaurant entertainment on-the-go.


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my baby goes to preschool

Today, my baby started preschool. It’s my second go round, and leading up to it, I haven’t been too sad - or really sad at all. Everyone was ready, and I have no doubt that he’s going to thrive. Being the youngest, born in the dumpster fire that was 2020, and always being carted along with his older brother, I kept him home for an extra year to have some time with just me and him. And admittedly, it hasn’t been easy. I’m a better mom with space for myself and that has been few and far between the last three and a half years.

But now, I’m sitting in a coffee shop alone with a few hours of peace, catching up on work and emails and writing with watery eyes after watching my baby confidently hang his backpack in his cubby and walk into his classroom with his head held high. It’s the best you can hope for as a parent, and it’s utterly heartbreaking. Wanting to watch them fly (and get them out of your hair), and wanting to hold onto them forever. I’m almost eight years into this gig, so experienced enough to know how it goes. Everything is a phase that drags on for ages and flies by in an instant. All that to say, I’m just so dang proud of us for making it this far.

If you also have a little starting daycare or preschool or kindergarten, know that I’m here with you feeling all the feelings.

what's cookin’: taco mac salad

Anyone else just not have it in them to actually turn on the oven when it’s hot outside? This recipe has served me well through many phases of life and is a kind of summer comfort food for me…

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I loved it as a kid when my mamaw made it.

My parents used to bring big batches in a cooler to all-day swim meets for my teammates and I to carb load between races.

Josh and I have been enjoying it as a quick and easy go-to for years.

…and the kids actually *sometimes like it.
*please note that one certain five year old has suddenly developed an aversion to most things resembling a vegetable and insisted all bell peppers be removed

I’ve given it a few upgrades and revisions over the years to make it a bit healthier (it still has Doritos, though - there is no replacement. Don’t come at me.), and I love it as a protein rich summer meal. I made it tonight so we can have it as a refreshing post-pool lunch the next couple of days.

Taco Mac Salad

1 box of rotini (I typically get the kind with the hidden veggies, but I’d imagine something like this Banza would be a good healthier option, too.)
1 tbsp. olive oil
1 lb. of lean ground turkey or beef
1 packet of taco seasoning (I like the Thrive Market brand or making my own)
1/2 c. water
1 8 oz. block of sharp cheddar, shredded
1 finely diced bell pepper (I prefer yellow or orange, but use whatever you like)
1 handful of cherry or grape tomatoes, quartered
Shredded lettuce
1 bag of Doritos (the old school Taco flavor are the best, but the Nacho Cheese or Spicy Nacho work, too)
Catalina dressing - you can buy the Kraft stuff (no judgement here), but I make it at home (see recipe below)

Cook pasta according to package directions. Rinse with cold water and set aside.

While pasta cooks, heat olive oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet and brown ground meat of choice. Add packet of taco seasoning (or about 3 tbsp. if making your own) and water. Simmer until all water and seasoning has been absorbed.

In a large bowl, gently mix the cooked pasta, ground meat, cheese, bell pepper, and about 1/2 cup of Catalina dressing. Put in the refrigerator to cool for at least one hour. Individually serve pasta salad on a bed of shredded lettuce topped with tomatoes, crushed Doritos, and more catalina dressing, and enjoy!

Better-Than-The-Store-Bought-Stuff Catalina Dressing

1/2 c. ketchup
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. red wine or apple cider vinegar
1 tsp. onion powder
1 tsp. paprika
1/2 tsp. worcestershire sauce
1 c. neutral oil (grapeseed, light olive oil, vegetable, etc.)
salt and pepper, to taste

Add all ingredients to a large mason jar, screw the lid on tight, and shake the daylights out of it. Alternately, put all ingredients in a medium bowl and whisk. Refrigerate until ready to use.

I’m always looking for low effort, kid-friendly meals for the summer. What are some of your favorites?

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