Do your kids enjoy figuring out how things work? Encouraging that curiosity is a great way to inspire a love of learning and maybe start them on a lifelong love of engineering. My daughter has always had an interest in how things work. So I am always on the lookout for books and toys that encourage her to explore and tinker. So when I had the opportunity to check out Brackitz blocks, I was thrilled with how well they would pair with some of the best engineering books for kids!

Standard Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. I may receive a commission from purchases you make through the links in this post. This post is sponsored by Brackitz. I received a complimentary set of blocks in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Open Ended Engineering Projects

Brackitz toys inspire kids to use their imagination and creativity to create all kinds of structures and machines, from simple to complex. Their plank and connector pieces are easy for kids to connect and take apart, and their unique shapes allows kids to connect them at different points and angles. This allows kids to be more creative in their building.

Why We Love Them

We had the opportunity to check out the Brackitz Driver 43 Piece Set. This set came with the planks and connector pieces, as well as pieces to create wheels, axles, and rubber band drivetrains. I love how sturdy the pieces are, while my daughter appreciates the bright colors and interesting shapes. We both appreciate how easy it is to put them together and take them apart.

Open Ended Building

The booklet that came with the kit includes images and materials lists for 10 machines that actually move. There aren’t step by step instructions, but the illustrations are easy to follow, and the lack of detailed instructions allows the builder to make their own changes. This also made it easy for my daughter to understand, since she can’t read on her own yet. We were able to put our first machine together in a short amount of time, and she was able to snap the pieces into place herself.

Watch Your Machines Go!

The best part about this kit is that kids can then see their creations come to life and actually drive or move. My daughter and I do enjoy building, and playing cars and trains. So imagine her excitement when the car that we built actually drove on it’s own across the floor! After a few tries, my daughter was able to help turn the dial on the car, then watch it fly across the floor. She even decided to race it against her other car toys.

Use my code for a discount on all Brackitz toys!

Click here and use the code BOOKWORMS before December 31, to receive 15% off of anything in their store!

Check out more recommendations for educational gifts for kids!

Engineering Books for Kids

I love pairing books with fun activities, and these toys are the perfect complement to books on engineering and inventions. Inspire kids to build their own creations, just like the kids in these books!

If I Built a Car

Written and illustrated by Chris Van Dusen

This fun book follows a young boy named Jack as he describes his dream car. The rhyming text is paired with colorful and unique illustrations done in a sharp nostalgic style. This is a great book for kids who like to think big, and dream of creating remarkable things.

Rosie Revere, Engineer

Written by Andrea Beaty and illustrated by David Roberts

Rosie is a young girl who loves to tinker and invent. When she decides to help her great great aunt Rose with a big project, she struggles to get it right and wants to give up. But Aunt Rose teaches her an important lesson about perseverance and dedication. The fun rhyming text is paired with vibrant and busy illustrations that are full of details and which mimic the chaos of inventing.

Rube Goldberg’s Simple Normal Humdrum School Day

Written by Jennifer George and illustrated by Ed Steckley

Rube is a young boy who likes to create inventions to help him get through daily tasks. His complicated inventions make the smallest tasks into big events. The illustrations in this book outline the incredibly detailed machines that he uses to accomplish his tasks, showing how each piece interacts with the next. Kids may be inspired to build their own complicated machines after reading this one!

Ellie, Engineer

Written by Jackson Pearce

This middle grade novel follows a young girl named Ellie, who loves to invent and build in her workshop. She decides that she wants to build something remarkable for her best friend’s upcoming birthday. But soon her plans grow out of control, and she requires help from the other neighborhood kids. The book includes illustrations of Ellie’s plans and sketches, and the story focuses on the importance of teamwork and problem solving while building and creating.

Check out the activities I paired with this book here!

Use my code for a discount on all Brackitz toys!

Click here and use the code BOOKWORMS before December 31, to receive 15% off of anything in their store!

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