“Click. Snap. Build.” — The Toy That Changed Our Week

Money Well Spent: The Toy That’s Replaced Our Toddler’s Screen Time

After our unexpected run-in with festa fireworks last weekend, we found ourselves ducking into The Plaza in Sliema — partly to escape the noise, partly to regain our calm. We hadn’t planned on shopping, but like many parenting moments, the best parts aren’t planned.

That’s how we stumbled into Juniors and spotted a colourful pack of magnetic tiles — 36 in total, neatly boxed, for around €40. Our daughter, just two years old, seemed intrigued. So we picked them up, thinking they'd be a nice little distraction for the afternoon.

What we didn’t expect? That she’d barely put them down since.

From Cubes to Castles: A Toy That Keeps on Giving

Within minutes of opening the box at home, she was immersed — stacking, arranging, clicking pieces together with the kind of focus that only a toddler deep in play can show. She built tall towers, lined them up into perfect little squares (OCD tendencies or just toddler precision?), and invited us to count, sort, and match alongside her.

Sometimes we build houses (a cube with triangle top). Other times it’s “a car” or “a rocket” (but use your imagination!) Sometimes she simply enjoys snapping magnets together and pulling them apart — over and over — exploring the how more than the what. It's creativity in motion.

And the best part? We’re doing it together.

Screen-Free and Proud

Like many parents, we try to keep screens to a minimum. It’s not always easy, especially during long afternoons or when energy runs low. But toys like this make it possible. This one box has given us hours of meaningful play — without a single episode of Peppa in sight.

When people talk about “open-ended play,” this is what they mean. There are no rules, no batteries, no flashing lights. Just colours, shapes, hands, and imagination. Our daughter leads, we follow (or the other way around), and we all get something out of it.

It’s the kind of play that supports everything we believe in:

• ✔ Motor skills
• ✔ Language development
• ✔ Counting and sorting
• ✔ Emotional regulation
• ✔ …and most importantly, connection

A Quiet Win in a Loud World

It’s funny how a stressful moment — a bang too loud, a nap interrupted — led us to something so joyful. We bought a toy that didn’t just fill the time… it helped shape it. We’ve had more conversations, more cuddles, and more laughter than we might have with any show on.

So yes, sometimes a last-minute toy buy really is money well spent.

What’s Been Your Best Toy Buy?

We’d love to know — what toys have stood the test of time in your home? What has replaced screens or filled those tricky late afternoons?

Let us know over on our Facebook page or drop us a comment. The best recommendations, as always, come from fellow parents.