Are you looking to spark your child’s creativity and imagination with fun, educational toys that will provide hours of open-ended play? Read this beginner’s guide to learn all about Mega Bloks – the perfect starter blocks for little builders.
With over 30 years of experience making high-quality construction toys for children, Mega Bloks is designed to nurture development across ages 1+. Whether you have a toddler who loves stacking blocks, or an 8-year-old who enjoys more complex builds, Mega Bloks encourage discovery, motor skills, and learning through play.
This guide will cover everything a beginner needs to know about Mega Bloks, including:
- Key features and benefits of Mega Bloks
- Top-selling Mega Bloks toys for different ages
- Where to buy Mega Bloks sets online and in stores
- How to choose the right Mega Blok sets for your child
- Creative ways to use Mega Bloks to support development
- Pro tips for getting the most out of your Mega Bloks
Equipped with this beginner’s guide, you’ll have all the building blocks (pun intended) you need to select the perfect Mega Blok sets to inspire your little learner to create, build, and educate through play.
What Are Mega Bloks?
Mega Bloks are a classic developmental toy that has been helping children learn key skills for over 30 years. Produced by Mattel, they are a larger, beginner-friendly version of LEGO – designed especially for little hands ages 1-5.
With a range of set sizes from small, affordable playsets to bigger building bags with 100+ pieces, Mega Bloks feature:
- Larger pieces that are easy for small children to grab and connect
- Rounded edges for safety
- Vibrant colors that promote color recognition
- Detailed themes and characters that spark imagination
Unlike plain wooden blocks, Mega Bloks engage children with special pieces like tires, windows, animals, play accessories, and mini action figures. Sets bring scenes to life and inspire creativity better than basic blocks.
They also introduce core concepts like:
- Early math skills – counting, sorting by color/size/shape
- Hand-eye coordination through manipulating pieces
- Fine motor control by grasping and connecting blocks
- Spatial awareness and architectural skills from building
As your child grows with Mega Bloks through preschool ages and beyond, they will develop:
- Imagination and storytelling
- Critical thinking
- Confidence
- Emotional skills
In short, Mega Bloks support cognitive, physical, social, and emotional development – all while keeping your little one entertained for hours!
Top Mega Bloks Toys By Age
With hundreds of sets to choose from, you may wonder: what are the best Mega Bloks toys to buy?
The good news is that many sets can be enjoyed across ages with adult guidance. However, here are our top picks of Mega Blok toys for toddlers and preschoolers:
Toddler Mega Bloks (1 – 3 years)
Best for introducing grasping, stacking, and coordinated play.
- Big Building Bag – 80-piece starter assortment
- Maxi Bloks – Oversized, soft blocks for easy gripping
- Build ‘N Play – Themed playsets with chunky blocks
Preschooler Mega Bloks (3 – 5 years)
More complex builds, special pieces, roleplay themes
- Junior Builders – 100+ pieces, larger parts for small hands
- Blok Pets Build-A-Blong – colorful animal themes
- Junior Builders House – foundations of construction play
- Wheels & Axels – early STEM learning
Where To Buy Mega Bloks
Mega Bloks are sold at most major toy retailers in Australia, the USA, and worldwide:
- Online – Amazon.com, manufacturer websites
- Department stores – Target, Myer
- Supermarkets – Coles, Woolworths
- Specialty toy stores – Toys “R” Us, Childsplay
Shopping online will give you the biggest selection and easy price comparisons. However many parents enjoy letting kids pick out sets in-store.
Look out for sales leading up to holidays and gifting occasions – Mega Bloks often see discounts for Christmas, birthdays, Easter, and more. Subscribe to retailer mailers for promo codes off your first order or free shipping.
Our top recommended retailers:
| Store | Delivery Time | Return Policy | Price Match? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon | 1-5 days | 30 days | Yes |
| Manufacturer Website | 5-10 days | 60 days | Yes |
| Myer | 3-7 days | 60 days | Yes |
How To Choose Mega Bloks Sets
With so many Mega Blok sets available, deciding which ones to buy your child can be tricky! Follow these tips on choosing the most educational and engaging building blocks:
Developmental Age
- Sets vary greatly in complexity and small part risk. Check age grades and supervision needed.
Interests & Passions
- Pick vehicles/animals/themes your child loves to increase engagement.
Skill Building
- Target sets to nourish the skills your child needs growth in – STEM concepts, creative thinking etc.
Gifting Occasions
- Scale gift with larger sets for birthdays/holidays and mini sets for filler stocking stuffers.
Budget
- Mega Bloks range from $15 – $100+. Set a budget before you start browsing.
Compatibility
- Ensure any add-ons suit existing sets your child owns so they can combine pieces.
Play Purpose
- Will this set inspire open-ended creativity or tie into an existing story/scenario?
Creative Ways To Use Mega Bloks
Beyond the free-form stacking and structured building that the manufacturer recommends, there are infinite creative ways to play with Mega Bloks!
Here are some ideas to inspire imaginative open-ended play:
- Build your own city – skyscrapers, houses, roads, parks
- Invent machines – cars, planes, launchers
- Recreate your house and neighborhood
- Make a zoo or farm for toy animals
- Put on a puppet show production
- Invent sports games to play
Additionally, Mega Bloks can be integrated across other developmental activities:
- Practice counting & sorting colors as you build
- Create patterns and shapes with structured building
- Stack them into 3D models like robots
- Make up stories starring your Mega Blok creations
- Print out templates for themed building ideas
- Use bigger blocks for easy indoor stepping stones
There are no limits with Mega Bloks! Encourage your child to build beyond the box through child-directed play.
Expert Tips For Getting The Most From Your Mega Bloks
To fully reap the developmental benefits of construction toys like Mega Bloks, utilize these pro tips:
💡Start simple – Begin with larger block sets requiring less fine motor skills so children don’t get frustrated. Build up complexity over time.
💡Demonstrate – Initially guide play by building something simple, explaining as you go. Then allow your child to direct you on what to make next to scaffold understanding.
💡Ask open questions – “What should we build next?” inspires imaginative thinking over closed questions that limit creativity.
💡Add loose parts – Enhance builds by incorporating materials like string, fabric, nature items, toy people/animals, etc. This boosts storytelling potential.
💡Assign roles – Pretend play builds emotional skills e.g. “I’ll be the construction worker and you can be the architect designing this skyscraper”.
💡Reinforce successes – Explicitly praise problem-solving skills, cooperation, perseverance, and sharing to motivate learning through play.
Following these tips, Mega Bloks offer endless potential for fostering development from 12 months and beyond!
Final Thoughts
If you want to invest in an open-ended toy that will grow with your child for years, Mega Bloks is a top choice for nourishing creativity, education, and developmental skills through construction play.
With unbeatable benefits across STEM and socio-emotional learning, they inspire little builders to create anything they can imagine.
We hope this beginner’s guide gave you all the building blocks you need to choose the perfect Mega Blok sets to encourage your child to learn through play!
FAQs About Mega Bloks
What are some top-selling Mega Bloks sets?
Some of the top-selling beginner Mega Bloks include the Big Building Bag, Maxi Bloks, and Build ‘N Playsets. As kids develop their skills, popular sets include Junior Builders, Blok Pets, and building sets with wheels & axles.
What skills do Mega Bloks teach?
Mega Bloks are designed to nurture skills across cognitive, physical, social, and emotional domains. Key skills include early math, color recognition, hand-eye coordination, motor skills, spatial awareness, critical thinking, imagination, and more.
Can I return or exchange Mega Bloks sets?
Most major retailers allow returns or exchanges on Mega Bloks within 30-60 days of purchase, provided they are still in new condition. Always check individual return policies, but you can usually exchange for another set if your child doesn’t enjoy the original pick.
How do I clean Mega Bloks?
Like most children’s toys, Mega Bloks can get dirty during play. Luckily, they clean up easily by handwashing with warm soapy water. Allow pieces to fully dry before rebuilding to prevent mold growth.
Can toddlers choke on Mega Bloks?
Mega Bloks are designed specifically for ages 1+ with safety in mind. Pieces are larger than regular LEGO and the sets avoid small detachable elements that could pose a choking risk for babies and toddlers. Always supervise young kids during play.
Where can I buy replacement Mega Bloks pieces?
Missing pieces are a common issue with all building block sets. Contact Mega Bloks customer service about the replacement parts program. You can also find individual pieces and accessories on Amazon or eBay to fill gaps as kids lose elements.
What’s the best way to organize Mega Bloks storage?
Categorical storage organizers help kids stay neat between builds. Sort pieces by type (blocks, people, animals, vehicles, landscapes), theme, color, or set. Labeled containers help little ones tidy up independently while allowing some creative cross-set building.