Triple inversion geometric transformations are useful as puzzles, toys, teaching aids, therapy devices, and the like. The transformations include a plurality of hingedly connected polyhedrons, each of the polyhedrons having at least one of a first surface, a second surface, or a third surface. The transformations are configurable between three congruent inverted configurations.

A set of magnetic spinning toy blocks can include eight magnetic spinning toy blocks, and each of the magnetic spinning toy blocks can have a similar structure. The magnetic spinning toy block includes a frame having a frame opening. The frame has magnet retainers formed as chambers in the frame at a periphery of the frame. Magnets are mounted within the magnet retainers, and the magnets include a pair of upper magnets which include an right upper magnet and a left upper magnet. The magnets include pair of lower magnets which include a right lower magnet and a left lower magnet. The frame holds a rotating panel and the rotating panel is mounted within the frame.

A magnet holder insert comprising a magnet and magnet holder housing designed with internal wall features capable of keeping the magnet properly positioned in the holder device, and external wall features capable of keeping the magnet holder device securely mounted in the finished part. The internal and external fastening elements of the magnet holder housing are designed in such a way as to promote rapid and secure assembly of both the magnet device and the finished part. The exposed surface of the magnet holder device can be configured with flat or dome shaped exposed contact surfaces, depending on how secure or flexible the magnetic joining feature is intended, capable of attaching to another magnet device or a material susceptible to magnetic attraction.

A smart block can include a plurality of displays and configurable magnet components to selectively attract or repel other smart blocks. The smart block can include proximity sensors to identify a surface of another smart block close to the smart block to determine if the smart blocks are correctly oriented based on an application or game associated with the operation of the smart blocks. A plurality of smart blocks can be configured to display a portion of a picture (as a puzzle), such that when the smart blocks are oriented correctly they collectively display the complete picture. The smart blocks can be used in conjunction with a smart mat that is configured to move the smart blocks in response to commands received from a remote computing device. The smart blocks and the smart mat can facilitate interactivity with other, remote users, such as between a caregiver and a child.

An assemblable story and picture display may include a plurality of substrates combinable to resemble an object. The assemblable story and picture display may define an outer profile that may resemble an apple, banana, duck, egg, Christmas tree, or any other relatively simple object. Each of the plurality of substrates may define a portion of the outer profile making up the assemblable story and picture display. Each of the plurality of substrates may include a portion of a story or images wherein the story is conveyed sequentially across the plurality of substrates. The assemblable story and picture display may further include an outer decorative image or layer. The assembled story and picture display may include exterior decorative elements indicating the nature of the story depicted on each of the story or display layers.

A connection unit includes: a body having peripheral edges; magnets, at least one of which being disposed on each side of the peripheral edges of the body; and electrode terminals, at least three of which being disposed on the each side of the peripheral edges of the body. An outer surface of the body has a curved surface. The electrode terminals are disposed along the curved surface or the surface having the polygonal cross section of the outer surface. The electrode terminals disposed on the peripheral edges of the body have either: one positive electrode terminal and two negative electrode terminals, or one negative electrode terminal and two positive electrode terminals.

A magnetic building set and method for teaching numeracy and spelling is disclosed. An example magnetic building set includes a plurality of trays that receive a plurality of unit markers implemented in various manipulative exercises and games that teach numeracy, elementary arithmetic, story arithmetic problems, geometric shapes, and spelling. The magnetic building set enables a user to build a plurality of geometric shapes, structures, and other constructions. Trays can be provided to represent a plurality of numeric quantities. A tray and marker assembly representing a specific numeric quantity can be manipulated as a whole, while the unit markers contained therein are visible to the student and can be viewed, manipulated, arranged and counted individually. Students are instructed to manipulate the trays and markers in various exercises in order to learn counting, number composition and decomposition, subitizing of quantities, arithmetic operations, place value, story arithmetic problems, geometric shapes, and spelling.

A smart block can include a plurality of displays and configurable magnet components to selectively attract or repel other smart blocks. The smart block can include proximity sensors to identify a surface of another smart block close to the smart block to determine if the smart blocks are correctly oriented based on an application or game associated with the operation of the smart blocks. A plurality of smart blocks can be configured to display a portion of a picture (as a puzzle), such that when the smart blocks are oriented correctly they collectively display the complete picture. The smart blocks can be used in conjunction with a smart mat that is configured to move the smart blocks in response to commands received from a remote computing device. The smart blocks and the smart mat can facilitate interactivity with other, remote users, such as between a caregiver and a child.

A building set includes a tray having a first row and a second row, each having a plurality of marker positions. The example building set also includes a plurality of markers configured for interchangeably fitting with the marker positions on the tray. A connection mechanism has a first connection on a first side of the markers, a second connection on a second side of the markers, and a third connection at each of the marker positions. The third connection interchangeably mates with the first connection and the second connection of the plurality of markers. The connection mechanism is at least one of hook-and-loop and magnetic, and may be biased toward one side of the markers to aid in subtraction. The tray and markers are configurable in various exercises and games to teach at least one of numeracy, arithmetic, and spelling.

An interconnectable construction element has a body section, a first socket coupled to a first end of the body section, and a magnetic ball. The first socket has a recess in communication with an opening. The opening extends from a first lateral side of the first socket at least to a distal end thereof. The magnetic ball is individually rotatably receivable into the recess of the first socket for forming a magnetic connection with another interconnectable construction element having another magnetic ball.