Meccano toys have fascinated and inspired budding engineers, architects and designers for over a century now. It’s not hard to see why! Each project provides hours of building fun—and the resulting toys are jam-packed with wow factor.
What’s more, Meccano toys teach kids valuable STEM skills (science, technology, engineering and math) through play. Each assembly is a fun challenge that boosts concentration, cooperation and fine motor skills. Junior builders learn the value of following step-by-step guidelines and build confidence as they complete each design. Once they’ve mastered the basics, they can get creative, imitating suggested models or dreaming up their own. Whenever a project is complete, they can see first-hand how the machinery around them works.
Most of all, Meccano toys are awesome hands-on fun! See for yourself with this list of our favorites.
9 Best Meccano Toys
 | Meccano Meccanoid 2.0 Personal Robot | Check price at |
 | Meccano Erector 25-Model Motorized Super Construction Set | Check price at |
 | Meccano Meccasaur | Check price at |
 | Meccano Ducati Monster 1200 S | Check price at |
 | Meccano Junior 6-Model Easy Toolbox | Check price at |
 | Meccano 20-Model Desert Adventure Set | Check price at |
 | Meccano Elite Pirate Ship | Check price at |
 | Meccano Ferrari LaFerrari | Check price at |
 | Meccano 15-Model Space Quest Set Lowest Price | Check price at |
1. Meccano Meccanoid 2.0 Personal Robot
Ever dreamed of owning your own robot? Make your dreams come true with Meccano’s Meccanoid 2.0! A fun, complex and rewarding build, you can expect to spend several fantastic family hours putting it all together. The end product is an incredible, fully interactive, 2-foot tall robo-buddy. Watch as your Meccanoid 2.0 springs to life, tells stories, dances, does kung-fu and more. Use its voice recognition software or smartphone app to give commands—or program new ones. With over 3,000 pre-programmed phrases, a huge trivia database—and an ability to learn—your kids will be fascinated by their new mechanical friend. The future is today with Meccano’s Meccanoid 2.0!
Ages: 10+
2. Meccano Erector 25-Model Motorized Super Construction Set
Build a new toy every day with the Meccano Erector 25-Model Motorized Super Construction Set! Looking for a working crane? You’ve got it! How about a motorized helicopter, racecar or buggy? Or maybe you want a fully functional catapult? All you’ve got to do is build it! With over 640 parts, a 6V motor, two real tools and a handy carry case, this is certainly one of the best Meccano toys sets out there. The included manual inspires creative learning by providing detailed assembly instructions for 11 models and clear suggestions for 14 more. But with this many parts, the only limit is your imagination. So, strap on your hard hats—there’s work to be done!
Ages: 8+
3. Meccano Meccasaur
An interactive robot T-Rex construction set?! Toys don’t get much cooler than this! The Meccano Meccasaur is a challenging 715-piece build—with a heap of robo-rewards. The finished beast is a 3-foot long roaring, chomping, rampaging dinobot. It loves to stomp around and you can program it to walk where you want, guard your stuff or attack intruders. It can also answer yes/no questions and it purrs happily when you pet it. With tons of features and commands, the Meccasaur is a ferociously fun mecca-pet.
Ages: 10+
4. Meccano Ducati Monster 1200 S
Hit the road with the Meccano Ducati Monster 1200 S. A sleek and intricate design with coil-spring suspension, real steering and multi-piece wheels, this bike is a joy to build. When you’re done, put it up for display—or take this monster out for a spin!
Ages: 10+
5. Meccano Junior 6-Model Easy Toolbox
Easy engineering fun for little fingers! The Meccano Junior 6-Model Easy Toolbox includes 76 pieces and six different building projects. It comes with clear instructions for assembling a racecar, an ATV, a dragster, a dune buggy, a snow plough and an airplane. When your little engineers have worked through the included designs, they can get creative and make their own vehicles! What’s more, with its handy carry case, your junior Edisons will never lose their tools of the trade. Hours of edutainment, guaranteed!
Ages: 5+
6. Meccano 20-Model Desert Adventure Set
The Meccano 20-Model Desert Adventure Set is an awesome 260-piece construction kit for kicking up the dust in style. This phenomenal collection includes 20 engineering projects with everything from dune buggies and bikes to choppers and planes. There are plenty of pieces here for creative adventures of your own, too. Let’s get building—it’s time to make tracks!
Ages: 8+
7. Meccano Elite Pirate Ship
Sail the seven salty seas with the Meccano Elite Pirate Ship! With 630 pieces, it’s a great challenge for any potential pirate—but if it’s an easy life ye seek, go be a land-lubber! Follow the instructions to build a stunning 3-mast voyager with an iconic skull and crossbones sail. When you’re done, use what you’ve learned take to the ocean with a vessel of your own design. Why do we pirates build our own ships? It’s just the way we arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!
Ages: 10+
8. Meccano Ferrari LaFerrari
Be the envy of your friends with your very own handmade supercar! The Meccanno Ferrari LaFerrari is a faithful interpretation of its Italian namesake. Build your own dream car with fully functional flip-up doors and coil-spring suspension. La vita e bella (life is beautiful) with this spectacular 772-piece construction kit!
Ages: 10+
9. Meccano 15-Model Space Quest Set
Build your own space program with the Meccano 15-Model Space Quest Set! Featuring everything from rockets and spacecraft to satellites and lunar modules, there are light years’ worth of projects to complete. So, what are you waiting for? NASA needs your help!
Ages: 8+
Are you mad for Meccano toys? What do you think of our Top 9 list? Did we leave out any of your favorites? Tell us all about it in the comments section below!
Feature image courtesy of Flickr, Conor Lawless.