by Marilla Mulwane

Created on: January 20, 2013   Last Updated: January 21, 2013

K'Nex and LEGO are two companies competing against each other for the best in building toys. Both companies want kids and adults to purchase their products and use them to build buildings, cars, monuments, skyscrapers and anything else they can think up. The question is: Which one is better? K'Nex or LEGO? The products have similarities and differences, and which one is best is really up to the owner. Here's a look at the similarities and differences between K'Nex and LEGO. Be the judge and pick a favorite.

Building blocks

LEGO is known for its building bricks. Each plastic brick resembles a cement brick similar to those used in real life. The bricks snap together without the need for cement. Kids can make buildings and other objects out of the bricks. K'Nex uses a different approach. The majority of the K'Nex pieces are poles of various lengths that connect together using other pieces to form shapes. 

Interlocking

One of the most important things about building is that the final result shouldn't fall apart. Which product holds up best to play once finished building? Both K'Nex and LEGO have interlocking pieces. LEGO's pieces lock together tight, much tighter than K'Nex, where pieces can fall off easily. It's not always a good thing, though, that LEGO is so strong, because sometimes it is impossible get the pieces apart.

Walls

LEGO bricks have three closed sides, which means that anything built with them will have closed walls. K'Nex uses poles so the walls are open. This means it is possible to see inside anything made using K'Nex, giving it a skeletal feel. It's safer to take a shower in a LEGO built house, though, since it has a more realistic feel.

Variety of shapes

Here is where K'Nex has LEGO beat pretty easy. While LEGO has many sizes, they are still bricks and uniform squares or rectangles. While it's possible to make a circle shape out of these bricks, it isn't a rounded circle. K'Nex has many sizes and shapes, from poles to gears to curved shapes. This creates a much bigger variety of final objects. It is easy enough to make a rounded circle, triangles or ovals using K'Nex.

Difficulty

LEGO bricks are easier to build with, especially for younger kids. The shapes are simple. Anyone can build a house of LEGO bricks, but try to build one out of K'Nex without directions and it gets a bit more complicated. That's because K'Nex has so many different shapes that younger kids become confused. They haven't learned enough shapes yet to understand the possibilities. With LEGO, it's just attaching brick to brick.

Special kits

Both K'Nex and LEGO have special kits to entice buyers. LEGO loves to go the pop culture route. The company has special kits for Star Wars, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Super Heroes and more. They also have kits for different jobs, such as farmer or construction worker. K'Nex also tries to go the pop culture route, but the choices are fewer. K'Nex has Angry Birds and NASCAR. The company also has building sets for towers, planes and cars.

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