Every parent knows the scene. The couch cushions are on the floor. A blanket is draped over the coffee table. Someone claimed a corner of the living room and declared it off-limits. Kids have always tried to build their own spaces — Superspace just made that a lot more intentional.
Superspace is a line of giant magnetic panels designed for kids to build structures they can actually crawl inside. Not tabletop models. Not scaled-down tiles. Full-size forts, castles, rockets, and reading nooks — built by kids, without instructions, using panels that snap together with a patented magnetic system. The company was founded by three dads from New Zealand and launched through a Kickstarter campaign in April 2021 that raised over $1 million. More than 75,000 families have since bought a set.
Here’s a factual look at how the product works, what’s in the box, and whether it lives up to the hype.
Where it comes from
Superspace was created by three long-time friends from New Zealand — Craig, Charlie, and Ant — who met in college and later found themselves dealing with the same parenting problem. Their kids kept commandeering the furniture to build forts. As the company describes it on its website, the kids “were building spaces out of cushions, pillows, and cardboard boxes and our couches were continually being commandeered.”
The solution they landed on was a modular, magnetic panel system big enough for kids to actually build inside. “Superspace was born from our desire to provide an outlet for their boundless creativity,” the founders say.
The product has since picked up a notable list of industry recognitions, including a Toy of the Year Award, a NAPPA Award, a Good Design Award Best in Class, accreditation as a STEAM toy, and a Best Toy Design award from Loved by Children. It’s been featured in Parents, Forbes, CBS, Yahoo, and BuzzFeed, among others.
How it works
Each Superspace panel is made from eco-felt — a soft, fabric-like material produced from recycled plastic bottles. The Big Set uses approximately 130 recycled bottles per set. The panels are 9mm thick and come in square, triangle, rectangle, and trapezoid shapes. Squares and triangles have 20-inch sides. Rectangles and trapezoids have 40-inch long sides.
Panels connect to each other using a patented auto-aligning magnetic system. There’s no specific orientation required — the magnets self-correct as panels come together, which means younger kids can build without needing an adult to figure out which way the piece goes. No tools, no instructions, no wrong way to connect.
The panels are soft and quiet compared to hard plastic building toys, and they’re easy to wipe clean with a damp cloth. Because they stack flat, the entire set can be stored under a bed, behind a couch, or against a wall without taking up much space. The Big Set box measures 41 x 20 x 7 inches and weighs 27 lbs.
The system works indoors on carpet and hard floors, and also outdoors on patios and decks. All sets are fully compatible with each other, so panels from a Little Set can be combined with a Big Set or any add-on pack.
The product range
Superspace currently sells three core sets and several add-on packs through Amazon and via their website.
The Little Set (16 Panels) is the entry-level option, priced at $279. It includes 10 square tiles, 2 square windows, and 4 triangle tiles — all at the same 20-inch side dimensions as the larger sets. Box dimensions are 20 x 20 x 7 inches at 17.8 lbs. The Little Set is aimed at younger kids (ages 3–5) and smaller builds, and it’s compatible with everything else in the Superspace lineup.
The Big Set (24 Panels) is the most popular option and is priced at $429. It includes 10 square tiles (20″ x 20″), 2 square windows (20″ x 20″), 6 triangle tiles (20″ sides), 4 trapezoid tiles (20″ and 40″ sides), 1 rectangle tile (40″ x 20″), and 1 rectangle window/door (40″ x 20″). According to the company, structures built with the Big Set can reach 6 to 8 feet tall. The Big Set is rated 4.8 out of 5 stars across 830 reviews on the product page. It’s available in seven colors: Charcoal, Sand Dune, Marshmallow, Pine, Blue, Turquoise, and Orange.
The Family Pack (40 Panels) is the largest option, priced at $699, and is designed for bigger families or kids who want to build more complex, multi-room structures.
Beyond the core sets, Superspace sells several add-on packs for expanding an existing collection:
- Rectangles Add-On Pack — from $235
- Squares Add-On Pack — from $129
- Windows & Doors Add-On Pack — from $255
Safety and certifications
The magnets in Superspace panels are housed in patented kid-proof casings that are fully enclosed within the eco-felt material. The company notes that the casings make it extremely difficult to remove the magnets even if the panel casing is separated. Parents are advised to inspect panels regularly and remove any that show signs of damage.
All sets are CPSC-certified for the US market, and UKCA and CE certified for the UK. The product is listed as suitable for ages 3 and up, and is described by the company as Montessori-aligned due to its open-ended, child-led play format.
What parents actually report
The review volume across Superspace’s product pages gives a reasonable picture of how the product holds up in real homes. A few recurring themes show up consistently.
Kids play with it for much longer than typical toys. “My 5 YO has enjoyed hours of play! In the first weekend, she logged about 26 hours and woke up early wanting to build immediately!” wrote Andrea D., a verified buyer. Holly, another verified buyer, noted: “My daughter just turned 10 and still loves to use these. Her and her friends make forts and play in them.” Jennifer S. added: “We got these when they first launched years ago and my son, now 11, still plays with them. They are the BEST toy I’ve ever bought, and I’ve bought a LOT.”
The screen-time angle comes up repeatedly. Multiple reviewers describe the sets as the thing that finally got their kids off devices for extended stretches — parents report typical engaged play sessions of 2 to 4 hours.
Storage is mentioned positively across many reviews, which is notable for a product this large. The flat-stacking design and compact footprint when stored seem to genuinely matter to buyers.
Who it suits
Superspace is a good fit for kids between roughly 3 and 10, though reviews suggest older kids and even adults enjoy it — particularly when combining sets or building more complex structures. The Little Set makes more sense for toddlers and younger kids working in smaller spaces, while the Big Set is the better starting point for families who want room-filling builds.
Parents who’ve tried to keep kids off screens and found most alternatives unconvincing seem to be the core audience. The product also gets a fair amount of use in classrooms and childcare settings, based on the educator-focused section of the site and several reviews from teachers.
It’s less suited to kids who prefer structured or rules-based play, or families who want something that packs down into a small bin. The panels are large by design — that’s the whole point — so storage does require a dedicated spot, even if it’s under a bed.
Pricing and availability
Superspace ships to the US, UK, and Australia. Free standard shipping applies to all orders. The Big Set and Add-on Packs come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
The Little Set (16 Panels) is priced at $279. The Big Set (24 Panels) is $429, available in seven colors. The Family Pack (40 Panels) is $699. Add-on packs start at $129 for the Squares Add-On Pack, $235 for Rectangles, and $255 for Windows & Doors.
Product page: Superspace
