Review: Magna-Tiles Treasure Hunt – Creative Play Meets DIY Game Design
Magna-Tiles weren’t part of my childhood toybox, but if you're a parent today, there's about a 90% chance you’ve got some scattered around your house. These colorful magnetic tiles are a go-to for open-ended play—they’re fun to build with, easier to clean up than LEGO (thanks, magnets!), and, best of all, they won’t make you question your parenting choices if you step on one barefoot.
Magna-Tiles Treasure Hunt is a creative twist on the classic tile sets. Instead of just building towers or houses, this kit lets kids build their own board games. It includes four little adventurer figures (two of which will immediately vanish into the void under your couch), 10 special tiles (3 orange, 7 green), plastic coins, a six-sided die, and reusable stickers—think volcanoes, palm trees, and treasure icons—that turn the tiles into interactive game squares.
The real magic here is the open-ended setup. While the kit comes with instructions for two simple games—Jungle Treasure and Monkey Race—the heart of this set lies in creating your own games. Kids (and grownups) can design custom boards, invent rules, and decide how special tiles work. If you already own a bunch of Magna-Tiles (and let’s face it, you probably do), you can combine them to make bigger, more elaborate game worlds.
Gameplay-wise, it’s very much in the Candyland realm—basic counting, simple movement, and no high-stakes strategy. But that’s perfect for younger players who are just starting to understand concepts like “one space per tile” or translating a die roll into movement. My son took a bit to grasp that idea, but it was fun watching it click.
The best part? It sparks early game design thinking. Collaborating with your child to design a board, place special tiles, and decide what they do taps into creativity, logic, and storytelling—all without the pressure of getting it “right.”
Bottom line: Magna-Tiles Treasure Hunt isn’t the next great tabletop game, but it is a fun, flexible expansion that turns a beloved building toy into something new—and gives you a great excuse to spend time making (and playing) something together.
Credit:
Original review concept and writing by Robert Jones. Adapted with permission for Little Dreamers Club.