A visit from the grandchildren goes better with something small waiting on the kitchen table, especially when it hands them a project of their own. Each of these sets arrives with 34 soft sticks, color-coded and cut in assorted lengths, plus a picture guide that shows every stage.

Choose the Veloci-Wrap-Tor for the dinosaur fan, Noodles the Pup for the child who keeps asking for a dog, or the Bendy Buggy for anyone who builds roads out of couch cushions. The sticks bend and click into place without glue, tools or batteries, and children ages 5 and up can work through the instructions on their own, which leaves the grown-ups free to finish their coffee.

Once the first model is done, the pieces come apart for a second design, and they work with other Spaghetteez sets, so the collection can keep growing with each birthday. Buy all three and the cousins can swap pieces, trade designs and debate cheerfully over who gets the raptor.