The Best Tool Sets for Kids Who Love to Fix Things

Every builder needs their own toolkit, even the littlest builders! If your child likes to fix things, pretend-playing with tools can build language skills and develop fine motor skills, enhance problem-solving abilities, encourage creativity, and give them a sense of accomplishment and competence. Can young DIYers fix it with our recommended tool sets? Yes, they can!

Finding the Right Tool Set for Little DIYers

When choosing a tool set for a young child, consider these important questions:

• Should you buy real tools or play tools? One essential determination is whether your child is ready for real tools. While it is very beneficial for children to use real tools for real projects, they have to be ready for the responsibility—while age is not the only factor that determines readiness, it is a good indicator. The bottom line is that you know your child best.
• Does the toy allow for creative play? A tool set should have enough pieces and options to keep your child engaged in their very own imaginary projects.
• Is the tool set safe for your child to use? Check all tool sets for small bits and pointy parts—your child may not be ready to handle those. For very young children, play tools with bigger handles and rounded edges are best.

Best Real Tools: REXBETI Young Builder’s Tool Set

If your child really loves DIY, the real tools in the REXBETI tool set with a belt is sure to engage them for hours while developing real skills! Made for small hands, the kit includes a claw hammer with rubber grip, long-nosed pliers, a Phillips head screwdriver, a flathead screwdriver, a 10-foot metal measuring tape, a metal ruler, goggles, and an 8.6-inch magnetic level, as well as two spring clamps, a D-ring, and two pencils with a sharpener. The durable double-stitched toolbelt has 10 pockets and adjusts from 20 inches to 32 inches. The orange and black gender-neutral colors make this a perfect set for both boys and girls.

Best with Belt: BeebeeRun Kids Tool Set

Kids will love strapping on this sturdy toolbelt with a pocket and tons of loops for carrying their tools! The plastic tools in this 22-piece set are fully functional, and the pretend wood boards, along with the plastic screws and nails, give kids the opportunity to use them for their appropriate functions. The kit also comes with a saw, a soft measuring tape, pliers, a wrench, and a hammer, as well as a multi-bit screwdriver with Phillips and flatheads. It’s recommended for children 3+ years old because it has small parts.

Best with Toolbox: iBase Kids Tool Box Set

Kids can load it up and get to the job site with this sturdy toolbox full of great tools! Made of lightweight plastic, the 45-piece set not only comes with nine different hand tools and three pieces of safety equipment, but it also has a battery-operated drill with three bits that works just like a real power tool.

Best with Workbench: Black + Decker Power Tool Workshop

The Black + Decker workbench for kids has realistic actions, lights, and sounds for an engaging pretend-play experience. In addition to the workbench with storage trays, the set includes a miter saw, drill press, and circular saw, along with an accessory bin, vice, hand saw, screwdriver, hammer, wrench, 15 screws, five nails, 22 nuts, a toolbox, and a bonus flashlight. Some tools require batteries, which are not included: miter saw (2 AA), drill press (2 AA), and flashlight (2 AAA).

Best for Toddlers: TOMY John Deere Deluxe Talking Toolbelt

With six tools that are easy for tiny hands to handle, this talking toolbelt will thrill every little handyperson! The adjustable belt features a slot for each tool, and the John Deere branded electronic belt buckle makes three tool sounds and says, “nothing runs like a Deere” and “it’s time to work on our John Deere tractors!” The set includes a hammer, wrench, screwdriver, pliers, ratchet, and a tape measure, so little DIYers can get the tough jobs done!