Rainbow Race vs Space Race: Which Magnetic Game Fits?
By Crocodile Creek | Published: 2026-10-16
Category: Comparisons
Rainbow Race and Space Race share the same fold-up format, player count, and age range. The differences come down to theme, price, and how your child likes to play.
Quick Answer
Both are fold-up magnetic games for 2-6 players, ages 5 and up, with 6 magnetic pieces, a spinner, and instructions. Choose Rainbow Race if your child likes colorful racing themes and you want the lower price of USD 9.74. Choose Space Race if space is the bigger draw and you don't mind paying USD 10.19 for the same play format.
What Actually Differs Between the Two
Strip away the artwork and these two games are nearly identical. Both fold up, both list 6 magnetic pieces, a spinner, and easy-to-follow instructions, and both are sized at 21.75 inches wide by 6.375 inches high when open. That board size matters on a restaurant table or an airplane tray, so measure before you pack if space is tight.
The real differences are theme and price. Rainbow Race costs USD 9.74 against a comparison price of USD 14.99. Space Race costs USD 10.19 against the same USD 14.99 comparison. That 45-cent gap is small, but if you're buying several as party favors, it adds up across a batch.
How to Decide Based on Your Child
Theme is the deciding factor for most kids at this age. A 5-year-old who gravitates toward rockets and planets will reach for Space Race; a child who likes rainbows and bright colors will pick Rainbow Race. Since the mechanics are the same, there's no gameplay reason to prefer one over the other.
If you're buying for a mixed group, either game works because both support 2-6 players. That range makes them useful for siblings, playdates, and small parties without needing a second set.
Where the Magnetic Format Falls Short
Magnetic pieces stay put better than loose cardboard on a moving surface, but they aren't a guarantee against loss. If pieces do go missing, the game becomes hard to play because the spinner and piece count are fixed. That's a real trade-off of the compact format.
If your child prefers a different kind of quiet activity, Crocodile Creek's Make Your Own Haunted House offers a mess-free build with 60 glow-in-the-dark stickers and 13 pop-in figurines. It's a different category of play, so it won't replace a two-player game, but it's worth knowing as an alternative for solo time.
Trade-Offs at a Glance
- Theme vs. price: Rainbow Race saves you USD 0.45 per unit, but Space Race may be the one your child actually asks to play. Let your child pick the theme if the price gap doesn't matter to your budget.
- Portability vs. piece loss: The fold-up design travels well, but missing magnetic pieces can make the game unplayable since the count is fixed at 6. Store pieces in the folded board between uses, especially on trips.
- Two-player format vs. solo play: Both games need at least 2 players, so they won't occupy a child who wants to play alone. Choose a solo activity like Make Your Own Haunted House if independent play is the goal.
Product Facts
- Magnetic Game - Rainbow Race: Fold-up magnetic game for 2-6 players, ages 5 and up, with 6 magnetic pieces, a spinner, and instructions. Board size 21.75"W x 6.375"H. Price USD 9.74 (comparison USD 14.99). The lower price and rainbow theme make it the easier pick for party favors or a first magnetic game.
- Magnetic Game - Space Race: Fold-up magnetic game for 2-6 players, ages 5 and up, with 6 magnetic pieces, a spinner, and instructions. Board size 21.75"W x 6.375"H. Price USD 10.19 (comparison USD 14.99). Same play format as Rainbow Race, so the space theme is the main reason to choose it over the cheaper option.
- Make your own Haunted House: Mess-free activity with 60 glow-in-the-dark stickers, instructions, and 13 pop-in play figurines. A solo, creative alternative if your child needs quiet time rather than a competitive two-player game.
Which One Should You Buy?
Best for
- Families buying multiple games as party favors or stocking stuffers on a budget
- Kids who respond to bright, colorful themes
- Parents who want a lower-priced entry into magnetic travel games
Not for
- Children under 5, since both games list ages 5 and up
- Kids who prefer solo creative activities over two-player games
- Anyone who needs a game that works with only one player
