Building blocks are timeless toys that inspire creativity, imagination, and essential skills in children. As a parent, you want to provide your kids with blocks that are engaging, educational, and just plain fun. With the variety of block sets available, how do you choose the right ones?
This beginner’s guide covers everything you need to know about the best building blocks for toddlers to school-aged children. We’ll explore the different types of blocks, their benefits, and top picks to consider. Let’s dive in!
Why Building Blocks are Beneficial Playthings
Blocks allow children to:
- Strengthen motor skills through grasping, lifting, and manipulating pieces
- Enhance spatial reasoning by visualizing and constructing structures
- Develop problem-solving abilities and critical thinking
- Practice STEM and engineering concepts like balance, geometry, and physics
- Express creativity through building unique structures and designs
- Gain confidence by completing building challenges
Playing with blocks provides an open-ended play experience full of possibilities to discover and skills to build on.
Types of Building Blocks and Their Features
There are many varieties of block sets to consider from classic wooden blocks to high-tech motorized options. Here are some of the main types and their unique characteristics.
Traditional Wooden Unit Blocks
- Made of natural wood like maple, oak or ash
- Simple, unfinished square blocks in standard unit sizes
- Allows open-ended construction play
- Often includes ramps, pillars, arches, and other accessories
Benefits: timeless, versatile, eco-friendly
Interlocking Plastic Blocks
- Brightly colored, molded plastic blocks with tabs/protrusions
- Pieces interlock together firmly allowing vertical construction
- Promote STEM skills and critical thinking
- Lego, and Mega Bloks are popular brands
Benefits: Excellent for imaginative model building
Magnetic Tiles/Blocks
- Plastic or wood blocks, tiles, sticks with embedded magnets
- Magnets allow pieces to cling together on any axis
- Create 2D mosaic shapes or 3D geometric constructions
- Often include wheels, frames, and specialty pieces
Benefits: open-ended play, fosters spatial skills
Sensory Building Blocks
- Blocks incorporate lights, sounds, textures for sensory play
- Include push-button activators, switches, dials
- Promote cause & effect, fine motor skills
- Bright colors, tactile surfaces
Benefits: interactive, encourages sensory development
Electronic/Motorized Blocks
- Building kits with components like motors, gears, sensors
- Programmable to build models that move and react
- Requires assembly and programming
- Develops problem-solving, coding, and engineering skills
Benefits: STEM learning, introduces the basics of robotics and coding
Foam Building Blocks
- Lightweight foam pieces in various shapes and sizes
- Textured, soft surfaces safe even for toddlers
- Low-stakes building for early construction skills
- Fun bubble shape letters/numbers teaching STEAM skills
Benefits: safe, imaginative play for young kids
Comparison Chart of Block Characteristics
| Type of Block | Best Ages | Key Features | Skills Developed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional Wooden Unit Blocks | 18 mos.+ | Simple unfinished wood pieces, ramps/accessories | Motor skills, imagination |
| Interlocking Plastic Blocks | 1 yr.+ | Interconnecting bricks for vertical building | STEM, critical thinking |
| Magnetic Tiles/Blocks | 18 mos.+ | Tiles with embedded magnets cling together | Spatial reasoning, geometry |
| Sensory Building Blocks | 1 yr.+ | Lights, sounds, and textures | Cause & effect, sensory play |
| Electronic/Motorized Blocks | 5 yrs.+ | Programmable components, motors | Coding, engineering |
| Foam Building Blocks | 12 mos.+ | Soft, lightweight foam pieces | Early construction skills |
As you can see, different blocks are tailored to specific developmental stages and interests. Consider which type aligns best with your child’s age, skills, and needs.
Top Rated Building Blocks for Kids
With so many building blocks to choose from, here are some top-rated options to consider across the various types:
Best Wooden Unit Blocks
- Melissa & Doug Unit Block Bundle – 60 pc maple wood blocks with patterned prints
- Grimm’s Large Rainbow Wooden Building Blocks – 68 pc birch blocks in rainbow colors
- Schylling Classic Wooden Wagon Block Set – 100 pc unfinished oak blocks, colorfully painted wagons
Best Interlocking Plastic Blocks
- LEGO Classic Large Creative Brick Box – 790 pc assorted bricks for open-ended building
- Magna-Tiles Clear Colors 100 Piece Set – transparent interlocking shapes, create 3D models or tessellations
- PicassoTiles 60 Piece Set – interlocking and magnet tiles, build 3D constructions
Best Magnetic Tiles
- Magna-Tiles 32 Piece Set – high-quality polished plastic magnetic tiles, that create imaginative 3D structures
- PLAYMOBIL Magnetic Mosaic Set – 40 magnetic pieces, double-sided for colored mosaic creations
- Magformers Wow Building Set – 30 plastic magnetic pieces in all types of shapes including wheels and triangles
Best Sensory Building Blocks
- Edushape Sensory Building Blocks – 25 soft blocks with lights, sounds, and textures for cause & effect learning
- Battat Sound Blocks – 36 wooden blocks with build-in sounds, melodies, and instruments for interactive fun
- I See Me! My First Sensory Block Set – 10 fabric textured, crinkly blocks that promote discovery
Best Electronic/Motorized Building Toys
- Lego Technic Control+ App-Controlled Top Gear Racer – build and control a motorized race car model
- Thames & Kosmos Robotics Smart Machines – 156 pc kit, construct models and program motorized movements with remote control
- Kuka KR AGILUS robot kit – 334 pc kit, assemble and code programmable robotic arm model
Best Foam Building Blocks
- Edushape Rainbow Foam Puzzle Blocks – 36 soft, lightweight blocks in bright colors for early building fun
- Playfoam Building Bricks Classpack – 42 pc squishy, non-toxic colored bricks that stick together
- TotBlocks Jumbo Big Building Foam Blocks Set – 18 large, soft textured construction pieces for young kids
Review ratings and age recommendations, and choose sets that fit your child’s interests and development level. Many sets are compatible with each other so you can mix and match pieces too.
Key Factors When Selecting Blocks
Beyond considering your child’s age and the types of blocks, here are some other factors to help choose the right ones:
- Developmental skills – Select blocks that promote the skills your child is working on mastering. Look for ones that challenge their motor, cognitive, and creative abilities.
- Interests – Kids who love cars and construction vehicles will enjoy interlocking vehicle kits. Aspiring engineers and programmers will appreciate programmable robotic kits.
- Compatibility – For more versatility, choose blocks that can integrate with other sets you already own.
- Budget – Building block prices range from $15 for basic starter kits to $200+ for elaborate sets. Set realistic budget limits based on your child’s age.
- Safety – For very young kids under 3, opt for large pieces without small parts they could swallow or soft materials like foam blocks.
- Brand reputation – Trusted brands like Lego, Melissa & Doug, and Magna-Tiles have exceptional quality and value.
Focus on blocks that engage your child’s curiosities and capabilities to make the building process both fun and full of learning.
Where to Buy Top-Rated Building Block Sets
You can find quality building blocks from these reputable retailers:
- Amazon – Extremely wide selection of all block types, brands, and prices. Check reviews.
- Fat Brain Toys – Specialty toy store, carries unique STEAM-promoting block sets.
- Lakeshore Learning – Top source for wooden unit blocks and educational block accessories.
- Kohl’s – Affordable pricing on popular brands like Legos, MegaBloks, and PicassoTiles.
- Walmart – One-stop shop with a surprisingly good variety of block sets from basic to high-tech.
- Target – Large inventory of brand name building blocks and block bundles on sale.
You may also find specialty blocks at local toy shops, children’s museums gift shops, or teachers’ supply stores. Shop sales around the holidays when prices get discounted on select block sets.
Setting Up the Ideal Building Block Play Area
To inspire your child to construct endless creations with their blocks, set up a space designed just for building. Here are helpful tips:
- Designate a flat, hard surface like a table, desk, or floor space. Avoid shaggy rugs that blocks can sink into and get lost in the fibers.
- Use washable play mats or towels to define the building area and protect floors.
- For younger kids, contain the space with baby gates so blocks stay put.
- Have adequate storage bins, trays, or shelving to organize different block sets. Labeling helps with cleanup.
- Display building challenge cards, reference guides, or block pattern ideas as inspiration.
- Provide accessories like toy construction vehicles, traffic signs, and people figurines to enhance play.
- Take photos of finished constructions to build confidence and provide motivation.
Having an organized, dedicated building zone allows kids to focus on bringing their structural visions to life through blocks!
Creative Ways to Play with Blocks
Once you’ve stocked an enticing assortment of blocks, how can you actively play alongside your children to take block constructions to the next level?
- Build a city together with roads, bridges, and towers- let kids assign roles.
- Stack blocks like dominoes in fun patterns to knock down.
- Sort blocks by color, shape, size, and texture. Count and compare block attributes.
- Use blocks to learn spelling and math concepts – spelling letter names, and counting sides/corners.
- Provide ramps for experimenting with speed, friction, and gravity. Time-rolling objects.
- Make patterns with blocks & trace shapes – explore concepts like symmetry.
- Set up imaginary restaurants, vet offices, and farms with blocks as props.
- Stack blocks as high as possible – guess and count how many were used.
- Blindfold stack – guide kids’ hands to feel and add blocks relying on spatial senses.
The benefit of playing blocks with kids is endless learning disguised as fun!
Blocks Build Life Skills
At the end of the day, block play isn’t just about stacking pieces together. It’s about fueling a passion for learning through hands-on play. Blocks teach kids so much:
- Spatial reasoning and geometry skills that form a basis for math and science
- Planning, predicting, and evaluating through trial and error is critical for future careers
- Persistence to keep trying when initial designs fail until a solution is reached
- Creativity and self-expression through building unique structures
- Communication and storytelling cooperating on imaginative block constructions
- Fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination manipulating the pieces
These lifelong skills start developing early thanks to the simple fun of blocks!
Let Imaginations Soar with Blocks Galore
Blocks inspire open-ended play full of exploration and surprises. As kids gain abilities and interests, introduce more advanced block sets that align with their development. Teach lifelong STEAM concepts through the magic of building blocks! With the right blocks for their age, your kids will soon be constructing marvelous worlds, one block at a time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of playing with building blocks?
Playing with building blocks offers many developmental benefits for children. Blocks help strengthen fine motor skills through grasping and manipulating pieces. They build spatial reasoning and problem-solving skills as kids visualize and construct structures. Blocks also encourage creativity, imagination, and STEM learning concepts like balance, geometry, and physics. The open-ended play of building blocks supports skills that will benefit kids lifelong.
What are the best building blocks for toddlers?
For toddlers ages 1-3, the best blocks include large, chunky wooden blocks or soft foam blocks that are easy to handle and safe if mouthed. Many also recommend magnetic blocks and tiles which are great for developing spatial skills through play. Toddler-friendly blocks have a few small pieces and are designed with safety in mind.
How do I choose which building blocks to buy?
Consider factors like your child’s age, interests, and developmental skills to select the most engaging blocks for them. Read block set descriptions and reviews to see if they promote skills your child is ready to acquire. Opt for trusted brands known for quality. Think about your budget and be willing to invest more in block sets that will grow with your child over time through different stages.
What is the best way to store kids’ building blocks?
Invest in sturdy bins, baskets, or shelving units to neatly organize different sets of blocks. Labeling each container helps with cleanup. For large sets, consider storing blocks sorted by type, color, or component in separate organizers. Limit access to blocks kids cannot yet play with safely. Maintain an organized storage system to save time finding pieces and keep play areas tidy.
How can I encourage building block play?
Make it exciting by buildingChallenge your child to create specific structures like a tower as tall as themselves. Play alongside and add storytelling elements with figurines and props. Display block pattern cards or books for inspiration. Take photos of block creations for encouragement. Set up a dedicated block building/STEM station. Provide accessories like ramps, road signs, and timers to extend the play. Block play grows more engaging when actively supported.