The Mega Ball Run from Smartmax is an engaging toy with a hundred possibilities of objects and contraptions to make and play with. I've teamed up with the brand to bring you a full review of the best Smartmax magnetic building set.
My boys are pretty imaginative, and I feel like they're always creating new contraptions around the house. Its been a long winter and over the past few months of playing indoors with the same old toys, I've been noticing a few more of my kitchen tools disappearing. My spatulas, rolling pin, and egg beaters, mostly. They are always trying to build and create with what they can find, and so as soon as they got their hot little hands on this Smartmax Mega Ball Run, I knew they would just go to town!
What's in the Smartmax magnetic building set?
This box contains 74 pieces of magnetic balls, rods, tunnels, connectors, spouts, and a slide. Everything is safe, high-quality, brightly colored, and appropriately sized for small hands.
The thing about this set that makes it different than others is the magnetic component to all the pieces. The ends of the rods are magnetic, and each of the balls are magnetized so that they become the center connectors for the structures, as well as the rolling act. No matter your child's age or ability, they can get started right away by connecting balls and rods to create new and multi-dimensional shapes and designs.
What's the recommended age for this magnetic building set?
Having small toys around the house with a crawling baby is a huge concern for us because our baby is still putting everything into her mouth. While this set is safe for ages 3+ and for play ages 5+, if the pieces were left out accidentally, or a ball went missing, I can rest easy knowing that these balls are NON-SWALLOWABLE. Eating magnets is a frightening thought, but the balls are 1.8-inch in diameter and all of the pieces are sonic-welded, meeting the toughest safety requirements.
From the get-go, we started making fun shapes and letters on the floor. The neat thing about these pieces are that they can be just as fun on the ground with young children that are just learning their letters and shapes.
For this reason, I think the Mega Ball Run set is very accurately intended for to be safe for ages 3+ and for play at 5+. My three-year-old was happy to connect and create while my five-year-old was driven and excited to really build and explore.
This set is different than the other SmartMax sets because it contains tunnel pieces, connectors, and a slide that allow you to make a path for the balls to take. This lets you take stagnant pieces into motion and the possibilities of what you can create are endless!
We were all relieved to find a colorful building guide inside the box. My boys are great at following directions when there are picture instructions in front of them, and these offered great ideas of ways to connect and examples of what to build.
What can you build with this Smartmax magnetic set?
As we started building more things, we wished there were more pieces in the box (particularly more of the x-shaped bars because they are so structurally strong), but this only made us think more creatively about how to make our vision come to life. Plus, we always have the option of buying other SmartMax sets, such as extension sets, curved bars, or just more basic piece sets. There are even some SmartMax Power Vehicles that would be a blast to incorporate. All of the SmartMax sets are compatible with each other and easy to find online.
We also wish that the balls were magnetically stronger so that they could handle the weight of taller structures without collapsing, but perhaps that would make all of the pieces too heavy or too strong for small children to pull apart.
We've been able to create such exciting structures over the past few days! Every time we open the box, we come up with something totally new, but always imaginative and creative. My kids have enjoyed discovering new ways to safely use magnets and entire set feels extremely durable and long-lasting.
Buy it: You can purchase this SmartMax magnetic building set online and at Amazon.com. The Mega Ball Run is a winner!
Disclosure: I (Camille) received the SmartMax Mega Ball Run at no cost to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.
Sarah Lee says
I cannot believe all the applications! So much fun!
Deborah D says
SmartMax Build XXL
Janet W. says
The Power Vehicles Max set looks like a lot of fun, too!
Sherry Conrad says
My grandsons would have a blast with the factory with car & playground sets.
Julie Lundstrom says
I like the Factory With Car set. These look so neat for my son. He has autism and has troubles building. I think these would be easier for him to handle and have fun with.
Angelica Dimeo says
The set that looks the most interesting to me is the Flower Palace
Stephanie Phelps says
I would also love to have the Flower Palace. So many wonderful ones it was hard to choose!
Heather A. says
I love the Basic Stunt set! The whole collection looks really fun!!!
Ron Ablang says
Tommy Train
Gretchen Luper says
Home Sweet Home and Flower Max both look like a lot fu
Debbie Welchert says
What a great product. I just couldn't choose. I love all of the Build & Play Vehicles Kits. My grandchildren would have so much fun with these. They would love them.
bethany maxwell says
The playground set looks fun!
Elizabeth Johnson says
Mega Ball run is definitely my favorite set but other sites are like also are Factory with car and power vehicles.
Amber Ludwig says
I love the Basic stunt set!! My son adores anything and everything with wheels so he would loooove that one!! Im so glad to see you featuring these!! My son plays with them in the hobby store constantly!!
Mary Becker says
factory with car
Maryann says
Love the SmartMax Build & Connect . Would keep my kids busy, and it looks educational
Mia says
I like the home sweet home set. What fun.
Dotty J Boucher says
I would love to have the build and connect for my younger grandchildren, I think they would get a kick
out of these.
jessica m says
I like the Playground set!
DeniseG says
Oh my gosh, the vehicles! My daughter would flip out over any of those. I personally think the Power Vehicles look awesome.
Sarah T says
The Smartmax factory with car is a must have!
Amy Campbell says
The Factory with car and the flower palace look fun 🙂
Cindy Kong says
I like the basic stunt car set
Jo-Ann Brightman says
OI also like the Drive and Fly Smart Max set
Jeanna Massman says
I would love to get the Basic Stunt Set for my grandson.
Sue E says
I like the SmartMax Build XXL . Set includes 70 pieces in a container, and a colorful building guide. Sounds like FUN to me!
Amanda Alvarado says
I like the Flower Palace and the Home Sweet Home sets!
Tammy Iler says
I love the SmartMax Build & Connect!
Dandi D says
I also really like the Power Vehicles Max.
Angela Warren says
I like the Power Vehicles Max alot
Ruby Yoshi says
I like the flower palace
Susan Hartman says
My grandson would love the Tow & Go.
Jetaime says
I like the playground set!!
Marcie M. says
My son would love ANY of the vehicle sets!! So cool!!
Sarh S says
I think my boys would really like the Power Vehicle Set or Basic Stunt. I know they'd love all of the SmartMax toys for sure!
Regina elliott says
The mega ball run looks like it's alot of fun
Diane Sallans says
the boys would love the Power Vehicles Max
Carrie says
I would love the build and connect set for my boys
Alicia C says
My son loves anything car, so I'd go for Factory with Car
Lea F. says
The basic stunt!!!
Laura Temple says
Flower Palace looks like an awesome set!!
sandra says
I like the build & connect set
Abbey Colbert says
How cute are the Flower Power sets...the flowers are all so cute.
michelle elizondo says
The playground kit is interesting!
Rachel C says
My son would love the factory set with the car.
Lisa Garland says
The flower palace looks very fun.
Amy Ledesma says
I like the Home sweet Home kit. It looks perfect for our girl. Thanks for the giveaway.
Ashley Chassereau Parks says
The Rescue Team looks so awesome!! I would love to have that too for my kiddos!!
Angela Saver says
The Build & Connect kit would be a hit in our home!
Robin Abrams says
I like the Factory with car kit. My grankids would love this set
polly says
My grandson would love the Tommy Train
Jamie Brigham says
My son would love the factory with car set. He is obsessed with cars.
terrasweeps says
Basic Stunt Set would be a great starter for the future daredevil!!!
Jennifer De Jong says
My boys would spend hours playing with this! So cool!
Gina Ferrell says
The Flower Palace looks interesting.
Kristen says
The Build & Connect Set looks fun.
Sheila says
Build and Play Vehicles,I love them!
Laura says
My nieces would also like the Flower Palace set.
Jamie S says
I like the Flower Palace or the playground set a lot.
Jamie Daniel says
The Basic Stunt set looks cool!
Amy Hall says
I like the start up kit.
DENISE LOW says
I think that the flower palace would be really fun.
Sue E says
The playground set looks like a lot of fun also.
Mary Thomas says
My grand kids would love this
Renee Goldinger says
Build and play vechiles
Jessica Lodge says
My boys would love the Basic Stunt and Power Vehicles Max sets.
Sue E says
My granddaughters would like the Flower Palace. It looks awesome! ?????
Brandon Sparks says
The Build & Connect would be cool
Lily Kwan says
The Flower Palace set looks very fun!
Lauryn R says
My son would also love the Power Vehicles Max! 🙂
Bonnie esken says
Really brings out the creative side of kids. love it
Jaci Lapointe says
The power vehicles kit, my son LOVES things like that!
Amy Deeter says
i would also love the SmartMax Flower Palace
Richard Hicks says
their Drive & Fly kit looks like a lot of fun
Cassandra Eastman says
My kids would love the factory with car set as well! I love that my 4 & 6 year old could play with these and not have to worry about my 1 year old swallowing anything.
Laurie Nykaza says
Power Vehicles Max looks like so much fun for the kids to play with.
Jeena Bittenbender says
My grandson would love these sets. I'm sorry I missed the giveaway. I will have to locate these on Amazon for him.