Still need a few more gifts to complete your Christmas shopping? It’s not too late to find something with a construction theme for all ages and budgets.
Still need a few more gifts to complete your Christmas shopping? It’s not too late to find something with a construction theme for all ages and budgets. Here’s a list of some of our favorites:
Kids:
LEGO Disney Princess Rapunzel’s Creativity Tower
By Disney
This fun set combines building and make believe in one box. It includes two mini-doll figures: Rapunzel and Flynn Rider, as well as Pascal the chameleon. It features hidden stairs, an attic, a large window, a fireplace, a mirror, a chair, and a small separate kitchen.
Scenes from the movie can be reenacted using accessories that include Rapunzel’s hair brush, bows, a book, chocolate chip cookies, a paint brush, a palette, a chest, extra paint, a frying pan, a tiara, and a bottle.
Recommended for ages 6 to 12.
MindWare KEVA Contraptions
By MindWare
Leave it to MindWare to make learning fun! This set lets young builders create ramps, tunnels, chutes and crazy contraptions like the “Black Hole” or the “Bounce Plate.” No glue or connectors are needed. The set includes 200 identical wooden planks, two specially designed lightweight balls, and an 18-page idea book with project photos and instructions.
Recommended for ages 7 and up.
Fast Lane Action Wheels Mega Crane Set
By Toys R Us
This set allows the little guys to work just like the big guys. The Fast Lane Mega Crane Set includes a free wheel dump truck. Operators can move the crane up and down and left and right with a remote control that turns 350 degrees.
Recommended for ages 3 and up.
Special Edition Erector Set
By Schylling
This update of the classic Erector Set includes everything needed to build more than 25 moving models. Supplies include solid steel girders, plates, nuts & bolts, wheels, a 6V motor, clutches, ball bearings, and more, all organized in a compartmentalized carrying case.
Illustrated instructions are included for a forklift, excavator, crane, airplane, cherry-picker, truck, towers, vehicles, and other moving creations.
Recommended for ages 7 and up.
Build-a-Road
By International Playthings
This set combines building and racing fun all in one! The 225 pieces click together to form 11 feet of flexible track. A mountain, a tunnel, and an X-Track add to the creativity, and two cars are included that race at the touch of a button.
Recommended for ages 3 and up.
Fast Lane Super Construction Playset
By Toys R Us
This set is a Toys R Us exclusive. Its 53-pieces include everything needed to set up a mini-construction site. There are vehicles, a crane with an extendable boom, heavy machinery, detour barricades, plastic rocks, signs, cones, and even miniature figurines.
Recommended for ages 3 and up.
Goldie Blox and the Spinning Machine
By Goldie Blox
Created by Debbie Sterling, a female engineer from Stanford University, this book series and construction set stars Goldie, the kid inventor. It includes a storybook, five animal figurines, a pegboard, five wheels, 10 axles, five blocks, five washers, a crank, a ribbon, and 14 design templates.
Recommended for ages 6 to 9.
My Little Sandbox — Big Builder
By Be Good Company
What could be more fun than a tabletop construction site? This one includes a 10 in. by 10 in. by 2 in. wooden sandbox, a 20 in. by 20 in. no mess play mat, and ultra fine sand. There are two die-cast construction vehicles, miniboulders, gravel, safety cones, a digging shovel, a construction crew and builder blocks.
Recommended for ages 4 to 7
Melissa & Doug Construction Site Peg Puzzle
By Melissa & Doug
This puzzle introduces construction to little hands with six easy-grasp peg pieces with familiar construction vehicle pictures. It is made of durable wood.
Recommended for ages 2 and up.
Bathtime Fun Construction Squirters
By Alex Toys
Toys are always fun in the tub, and this set goes beyond the usual rubber ducky. Four soft, chunky squirters with a fun construction theme are included with a mesh bag with suction cups for drying and storage.
Recommended for age 6 months and up
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Adults:
Silver Diamond Plate Construction Mug Coffee Cup
By Plug
This fun mug will make a great gift for the construction types on your list. It measures 4.25 in. high by 5 in. wide by 3.5 in. in diameter, and is not recommended for the dishwasher or microwave.
3M TEKK WorkTunes Hearing Protector
By 3M
Make someone’s work day a little more pleasant with this all-in-one AM/FM radio and hearing protector headset. The lightweight design includes a digital tuner and is MP3 or scanner compatible.
Red Wing Boots
You can’t go wrong with the timeless style and rugged durability of Red Wing Shoes, such as this Heritage 6 in. Moc Toe with full grain water repellent leather uppers. A smooth leather lining naturally wicks away moisture, and an all-leather footbed molds to the foot to create an enduring, customized fit over time with each wear.
Made in the U.S.A.
CAT B15Q Smartphone
What more could anyone want? This Cat smartphone incorporates Waves MaxxAudio, Swiftkey and Ocearch, and is waterproof, drop proof, and dust proof. It features over 16 hours of talk time.
Klein BBQ Tool Set
Klein incorporated the comfort and durability of its cushion-grip handles on its screwdrivers with a handy set of BBQ tools. It includes a 17-inch spatula and long fork made of stainless steel.
Brenda Ruggiero
Brenda Ruggiero has written for CEG for over 20 years. She lives near the town of Accident in far western Maryland. Her favorite assignments so far involved interviews with Survivor’s Boston Rob and hot dog eating champion Joey Chestnut. Both were involved in construction at one time.
Brenda holds a BA in Mass Communication with a writing focus from Frostburg State University and minors in Public Relations and Political Science. She works full time as a staff writer for a weekly newspaper, the Garrett County Republican. She enjoys feature writing the most, which gives her the opportunity to talk to people and share their stories.
Brenda and her middle school sweetheart, Reuben, have been married for over 34 years and have three grown children and four cats.
Read more from Brenda Ruggiero here.
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