Building blocks toys like Lego, wooden blocks, and magnet tiles inspire open-ended, creative play for children of all ages. These classic construction toys encourage imagination and problem-solving while developing fine motor skills and spatial reasoning abilities. Whether your child is a budding architect, engineer, or artist, building blocks offer hands-on learning through fun, engaging building activities.
This beginner’s guide will explore the many benefits of building blocks while providing tips for choosing the right sets and brands for your child’s interests and developmental stage. We’ll also showcase some of the top building block toys on the market. Let’s start building!
What Are Building Blocks Toys?
Building blocks are construction toys made up of interlocking or connecting pieces that can be assembled in various ways. They come in many shapes, sizes, materials, and colors, but the concept is the same—to build creations using imagination and problem-solving skills.
Building sets include traditional wooden blocks, colorful plastic blocks, magnetic tiles, Lego bricks, and more. The simplest blocks are shaped like squares, rectangles, triangles, and arches, while more complex building systems feature wheels, doors, windows, and specialty pieces to enable elaborate constructions.
Popular building blocks brands include:
- Lego
- Mega Bloks
- K’NEX
- Magna-Tiles
- Tegu
- Wooden blocks set
While they provide endless hands-on fun, building blocks also offer important developmental benefits that make them staples in many children’s toy collections.
Benefits of Building Blocks Toys
Open-ended building block play encourages creativity and imagination in children while developing cognitive, motor, and social skills. Here are some of the key ways kids benefit from constructing with blocks:
Promote Spatial Reasoning and STEM Skills
Putting pieces together in different patterns and configurations helps improve children’s spatial awareness, geometrical understanding, and early engineering skills. As they build, kids learn about shapes, balance, symmetry, and structural design.
Enhance Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking
There are infinite solutions to creating structures with building blocks. Figuring out how to build tall towers that won’t topple over or span gaps between surfaces involves trial and error as well as planning and strategic thinking.
Boost Motor Skills and Hand-Eye Coordination
The simple act of snapping plastic bricks together or stacking blocks develops fine motor control in small hands. Building block play refines pincer grasps and visual tracking abilities.
Encourage Creativity and Imagination
Because the options are endless with building systems, they inspire creativity as children build elaborate structures, vehicles, creatures, and anything else they can dream up. Unstructured block play allows kids to bring stories and scenes to life.
Promote Collaboration and Communication
Building side-by-side with peers encourages important social interactions like sharing, turn-taking, cooperation, and verbal expression as children describe their construction ideas.
With so many developmental benefits, building block play provides a strong foundation for early learning while letting kids have fun!
Types of Building Blocks
There are many types of building blocks available made from materials like wood, plastic, foam, and magnets. Here are some of the most common block sets for open-ended construction play:
Wooden Building Blocks
Traditional carved wooden blocks in basic shapes inspire imaginative play. They often feature painted letters, numbers, and pictures.
Benefits: Natural material, environmentally friendly, encourages creative play
Popular brands: Melissa & Doug, Plan Toys, Grimm’s Rainbow Wooden Blocks
Plastic Building Blocks
Durable interlocking plastic bricks snap together to make buildings, vehicles, and more. Sets come in different sizes and specialty pieces.
Benefits: Endless possibilities, from beginner to advanced creations. Iconic, recognizable pieces.
Popular brands: Lego, Mega Bloks, Best-Lock
Magnetic Building Tiles
Colorful magnetic blocks of different shapes stick together to form patterns, artwork, and 3D constructions.
Benefits: Satisfying to use, encourage STEM and spatial skills, reusable creations
Popular brands: Magna-Tiles, PicassoTiles, MagFormers
Foam Building Blocks
Lightweight foam pieces are safe and easy for little hands to assemble into structures and scenery.
Benefits: Soft and durable material, great for young toddlers
Popular brands: Edushape, Unito, TotemPole
Interlocking Plastic Bricks
Brick pieces of various sizes snap onto each other vertically and horizontally to build elaborate creations.
Benefits: Versatile, work for structures, vehicles, scenery, and more
Popular brands: K’Nex, Bristle Blocks, Plus-Plus
With so many types of building sets available, you can find options tailored to your child’s age, skill level, and interests. Look for quality sets that will grow with your child over time.
Educational Building Toys by Age
The best building blocks for your child depend on his or her age, dexterity, and developmental stage. Here are some top picks for building sets optimized for different age groups:
Building Toys for Toddlers (1-3 years)
- Large wooden blocks: beginner-friendly with easy grip sizes
- Foam blocks: soft, light material for little hands
- Mega Bloks: oversized, chunky pieces for early builders
At this young age, look for big pieces, rounded edges, and sturdy construction for new builders.
Building Toys for Preschoolers (3-5 years)
- Interlocking plastic bricks: start with simple structures
- Magnetic tiles: develops spatial reasoning skills
- Plastic building block sets: engage their imagination
Choose structured sets that are easy for small hands to manipulate and snap together.
Building Toys for Kids (5-9 years)
- LEGO kits: progress from simple to more complex builds
- K’Nex: build elaboratestructures like roller coasters
- Plus-Plus: make dimensional creations
Opt for more versatility and variety in pieces for creative, open-ended play.
Building Toys for All Ages
Some top-rated building toys inspire imagination and develop new skills as kids grow. Great for siblings or wide age ranges:
- Magna-Tiles
- Wooden marble runs
- Bristle blocks
- Tegu magnetic wood blocks
Building Blocks for STEM Learning
Building sets that focus on science, technology, engineering, and math skills provide engaging STEM learning experiences. Look for building kits that teach concepts like:
- Gears, wheels, axles, and movement
- Circuits and electronics
- Gravity, balance, and physics
- Architectural design principles
- Nature science like animal habitats
Top STEM building toys include LEGO Technic, K’Nex Education, Tegu magnetic blocks, and Roominate building systems for girls.
“Building blocks are like educational gold. Children develop mathematical thinking, spatial reasoning, and problem-solving abilities while having fun!” – Dr. Christine Wood, Professor of Child Psychology
Building Blocks for Special Needs
For children with special needs like autism, ADHD, and sensory processing disorders, the hands-on focus on building toys can be especially beneficial. Some helpful features include:
- Textures and colors for sensory input
- Cause-and-effect mechanisms
- Large, chunky pieces that are easy to manipulate
- Picture instructions for nonverbal learners
- Timers and visual cues to encourage focus
Great building block options include Snap Circuits, Plus-Plus interlocking bricks, Squigz suction cups, Edushape foam blocks, and Magformers. Consult your occupational therapist for personalized recommendations.
Top Building Block Brands
With so many building toys out there, it helps to stick with top-quality brands you can trust for safety, durability, and benefits:
LEGO
The iconic interlocking plastic bricks inspire endless creativity and STEM learning. From age-appropriate kits to sophisticated sets, LEGO provides a system of play that grows with your child.
Magna-Tiles
Innovative magnetic building tiles enable kids to build 2D and 3D creations while developing spatial reasoning, STEM skills, and creativity.
K’Nex
With its rods and connectors, K’Nex offers unlimited building possibilities for structures, working models, vehicles and more. Great for introducing physics concepts.
Tegu
Sustainably-sourced magnetic wooden blocks combine creativity, building skills, and tactile exploration. The sets suit a wide age range.
Mega Bloks
For younger builders, Mega Bloks features oversized interlocking plastic blocks that are easy for little hands to connect. Build up complex structures.
Research top brands to find building toys that suit your child’s age, skill level, and interests. Investing in quality toys that inspire imagination and learning pays off!
Choosing the Right Building Toys
With so many types of building blocks available, keep these tips in mind when selecting sets:
- Age range: Choose chunky pieces for younger kids and more complex options as skills develop
- Interests: Pick themes that appeal, from animals to construction to fantasy
- Skill level: Start simple, then add more pieces and complexity as the child is ready
- Versatility: Blocks that can be used in multiple ways encourage more creativity
- Safety: Make sure there are no small parts if giving to young kids
- Expandability: Go for brands that offer different sets to build on skills
- Budget: You can find quality building toys at a range of price points
Building blocks make ideal toys for toddlers through elementary school. Invest in a few key sets that will grow with your child over the years through open-ended, imaginative play.
Make the Most of Building Toys
Follow these tips to encourage creative, skill-developing play when introducing your child to building blocks:
- Let them take the lead in creations without stepping in too much. Imaginative play comes from kids, not parents!
- Ask open-ended questions as they build: What are you making? What shapes do you see? Why did this part fall down? How can you fix it?
- Teach collaborative skills through taking turns, lending a hand when needed, and describing their process.
- Display finished structures proudly before taking them apart to build something new. Take photos of special creations.
- Organize pieces neatly so they can find what they need and develop cleaning-up habits.
- Add loose items like toy animals and cars to inspire more storytelling adventures
Building blocks are hands-on toys that provide a lifetime of learning. Let construction play ignite your child’s natural creativity and curiosity!
Takeaway Tips on Building Toys
- Look for building toys that are age-appropriate and offer room for skill progression.
- Building play develops spatial reasoning, STEM concepts, fine motor skills, and imagination.
- Open-ended building sets with versatility encourage more creativity.
- Top brands like LEGO, Magna-Tiles, and K’Nex offer expansive systems that kids won’t outgrow.
- Building kits focused on architecture, engineering, and science teach STEM principles.
- For special needs, choose textures, large pieces, picture instructions, and other features to aid development.
Let your kids unlock the benefits of building blocks through creative construction and STEM learning!
Learn More about Building Blocks
To learn more about the many benefits of construction toys and view recommended products, visit:
- NAEYC.org: Tips on Choosing Building Toys for Young Children
- ToysRUs.com: 10 Benefits of Building Blocks for Kids
- ChildDevelopmentInfo.com: How Building Toys Can Boost Development
- ThinkFun.com: Why Building Games Improve Spatial Reasoning
Hope this beginner’s guide provides a great overview of the wonderful world of building block play. Let the construction begin!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best building toys for toddlers?
For toddlers, opt for large, chunky wooden blocks or soft foam blocks that are easy to grip and assemble. Popular options include Tegu magnetic wooden blocks, Edushape foam blocks, and Grimm’s large rainbow blocks.
Should I choose LEGO or other building blocks?
LEGO is the gold standard, but brands like Mega Bloks offer similar interlocking plastic bricks for younger kids. Building sets like Magna-Tiles and K’Nex provide different, open-ended play options.
How do building toys help develop STEM skills?
Building block play promotes early engineering, science, and math understanding. Following picture instructions, balancing structures, and experimenting with shapes and gravity all teach STEM concepts in a hands-on way.
What’s the best way to organize all the small pieces?
Invest in sorted storage containers to organize the smaller blocks and pieces. Sectional trays help kids learn to clean up and find what they need for more independent building.
Should I guide my child or let them build freely?
It’s best to let your child take the lead in building, only offering gentle guidance if they are struggling. Open questions like “What are you making? How can we fix this?” build creative thinking.
Are building blocks safe for my toddler?
Look for larger pieces without small parts for ages 1-3. Monitor play to avoid choking hazards. Building toys teach important skills under supervision. The right blocks make ideal toys from toddlers to elementary ages.
How do I choose the best building toys for my child?
Consider your child’s age, dexterity, interests, and skill level. Look for quality toys that offer room for progression, like LEGO kits starting from beginner to advanced. Building play should be creative and imaginative.