PicassoTiles 125 Piece Fort Building Kit

The 43 interlocking joints feel way sturdier than the cheap plastic sets we've tried before, and the sticks actually stay connected when my 6-year-old yanks on them. Took us about 15 minutes to figure out the first build, but now the kids are making tunnels and castles on their own.

My kids have built a castle, a rocket, and a tent in just the first week, and the joints click together securely enough that nothing collapses mid-build. The 125 pieces give us plenty to work with, though I do wish the sticks came in a few more colors.

Bought this for my 7-year-old and the 70 connecting sticks are sturdy enough that her blanket forts actually stay up all afternoon. Only gripe is that a few of the joints fit pretty tight, so younger kids might need help snapping them in.