Cardboard blocks are a classic toy that have entertained generations of kids. Unlike regular building blocks made of wood or plastic, jumbo cardboard blocks enable children to construct towering structures and let their creativity run wild.
With sizes ranging from large to extra-large blocks, cardboard blocks foster engaging and imaginative play while developing key skills. This comprehensive guide will explore the world of oversized cardboard blocks and highlight why they make an excellent addition to any toy collection.
An Introduction to Oversized Cardboard Blocks
Cardboard blocks come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors, with some sets containing over 100 pieces. They are crafted from thick, durable cardboard that can withstand repeated building, knocking down, and rebuilding of structures.
Sets are available in three sizes – standard, large and jumbo. The standard blocks usually measure around 5 inches while deluxe sets have bigger 6-8 inch blocks. Jumbo versions feature giant 10+ inch blocks that allow for creative construction on an epic scale.
These lightweight blocks are easier for little hands to handle compared to heavier wooden blocks. The wipe-clean surface also minimizes mess. High quality sets use child-safe cardboard that meets Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) standards.
“We love these chunky cardboard bricks. They’re very satisfying to handle due to their size and weight yet remain easy for little hands to pick up and move around.” – Samantha, Mom of 3 year old
Built from flexible yet sturdy cardboard, these blocks are safe for kids aged 10 months to 5 years and up. With vibrant colors and fun graphics, they provide open-ended play opportunities to build up structures using motor skills and then knock them down again.
According to early childhood education experts, playing with bricks helps children:
- Enhance creativity and imagination through inventing structures
- Develop hand-eye coordination by grasping and placing blocks
- Build motor control skills with lifting, rotating and joining blocks
- Grow language ability by learning words for colors, shapes and sizes
Whether your kid fantasizes about being an architect or loves everything construction, oversized cardboard blocks provide a fine starter “construction site” packed with play potential.
Types of Jumbo Cardboard Blocks
Several varieties of extra-large cardboard blocks exist for open-ended construction fun:
Brick Building Blocks
These traditional blocks look like scaled-up plastic building bricks but are crafted from sturdy cardboard. With their classic shape, brick blocks easily interlock and can form the foundation for assembling structures like houses, towers, animals and more.
Sets are available in multiple sizes – while large brick blocks measure approx. 6 inches, jumbo blocks can be a foot long. These giant building blocks resemble oversized LEGO bricks and usually interlock when stacked.
The red and yellow fake brick theme resembles actual construction bricks. For more colorful fun, opt for a set containing bright blocks in a rainbow palette.
Foam Building Blocks
For a softer building material safe even for infants, many brands offer lightweight foam blocks. These often interlock on top and sides but tend to be more flexible than stiff brick-types.
With curved, sloped and oddly-shaped blocks included, little creators can take their build beyond standard structures. These vibrant, soft blocks with numbers, letters and objects printed on are great for imaginative play too.
Toy Stack Blocks
These colorful blocks in varied geometric shapes and sizes can stack on top of each other. With chunky cylinders, arches, blocks, planks and more to align and join, they foster out-of-the-box thinking beyond rows and towers.
Collections range from standard interlocking sets to unique blocks like alpha blocks featuring sculpted letters that can teach the alphabet. Pick plastic-free sets with sustainably sourced cardboard.
Benefits of Playing with Jumbo Cardboard Blocks
Super-sized cardboard brick blocks offer a host of developmental advantages that parents can leverage for their kids aged 1 year and above:
Enhance Fine Motor Skills
Grasping big blocks and lifting or moving them around helps strengthen little hands. Trying to connect pieces or balance them on top improves hand-eye coordination essential for future writing. Mastering these foundational fine motor abilities primes kids for many tasks.
Build Visual-Spatial Skills
Figuring out how differently shaped blocks might fit together involves visual and spatial reasoning. This boosts skills like mentally rotating objects, differentiating left/right and understanding directionality – key math concepts. The trial and error of incorrect alignments also teaches the important concept of learning from mistakes.
Grow Problem-Solving Expertise
There are limitless innovative structures kids can try to construct from an assortment of chunky cardboard bricks. Making their own choices instead of following instruction booklets promotes crucial independent thinking. Determining what works encourages logical reasoning skills too.
Spark Creativity & Imagination
Open-ended play allows kids to build anything they dream up – a doll house, car garage, skyscraper, maze or entire new world! Combining blocks in novel ways stretches creativity and storytelling muscles. Making up narratives around their structures also flexes imagination and language faculties.
Promote Cognitive Growth
Early math underpinnings like sorting, matching, sequencing, patterns and spatial sense are strengthened via play. Comparing brick sizes teaches concepts like big vs small, taller vs wider. Eyeballing alignments and balancing blocks works visual perception. Physically moving their bodies and hands around also builds bodily-kinesthetic smarts.<div style=”page-break-after: always;”></div>
Factors to Consider When Buying Jumbo Blocks
While cardboard blocks can inspire kids for hours, not all options live up to their promise. When purchasing jumbo construction blocks, keep these factors in mind:
Safety – Ensure any set complies with Consumer Product Safety Commission guidelines for toys with mandatory safety testing. Reputable big brands manufacture non-toxic products absent of BPAs, lead and other harmful chemicals.
Age range – Pay attention to manufacturer stated age recommendations so blocks suit your child’s developing abilities. While infants can manipulate soft blocks, bigger sized interlocking brick blocks work better for ages 18 months and up.
Adjustable difficulty – Seek blocks that not only stack but also offer varying degrees of challenge. A set with puzzle pieces kids have to mentally fit together before physically constructing it allows self-adjustment of complexity.
Storage – Oversized building blocks can occupy substantial space. Opting for a set that folds up or choosing toy rotation helps. Evaluate if your home has room for giant block creations to remain assembled for days. Some sets now offer handy zippered carry cases too.
Durability – While cardboard is generally durable, not all blocks are created equal. Closely inspect sample images to see if seams or surfaces seem flimsy. Check for reinforced edges and heavy-duty cardboard guaranteed to endure regular heavy use.
Expandability – Since kids will probably wish to add more pieces once they’ve mastered initial sets, opt for popular brands offering multiple compatible jumbo block sets to grow a collection over years.<div style=”page-break-after: always;”></div>
Top Jumbo Cardboard Block Recommendations
Based on critical factors like proven safety, glowing feedback, compelling specs and reasonable pricing, here are 5 excellent jumbo cardboard block picks to consider:
The Melissa & Doug Jumbo Cardboard Blocks lead picks with their ultra thick and durable bricks sustaining years of intensive use.
Lakeshore’s Giant Soft Foam Blocks win on flexibility and safety. Parents praise the premium wipe-clean surface and lightweight portability.
IMPRESA Building Blocks shine for their integration of STEM concepts into shapes like cylinders, arches and ramps promising advanced construction challenges.
The LaRose Foam BLOCKS woo with their squeezable soft texture and vivid graphics. Tough seam binding prevents rips during rigorous play.
Finally, TTU’s Toy Story Tower Blocks incentivize mighty tall towers with a unique hollow design. Anti-slip pads provide stability even for super structures.
Research all options completely before selecting a set that aligns best with your kid’s interests and developmental stage. Avoid going overboard initially – start with around 50-100 pieces to ease into open-ended block play.
Inspiring Big Cardboard Blocks in Action
Need a spark of inspiration before choosing awesome jumbo blocks for your kids? Browse these examples of ambitious creations using oversized building bricks:
Preschool Castles and Towers
Equipped with chunky bricks, budding architects as young as 2 years can construct mighty towers and castles. Secure interlocking blocks enable stacking layers easily. Concave shapes like arches lend structural soundness too for tall tapered towers.
Storybook Structures
From frozen ice towers inspired by Frozen’s Elsa to Dr. Seuss’ mischievous Cat in the Hat winding staircase, cardboard construction sets can bring beloved stories to life. Ask kids about their favorite book tales and watch their faces light up magically when you help translate scenes into giant block versions.
Model Roadways and Cities
Budding civil engineers can create model communities with buildings, houses, bridges, rail tracks and roads criss-crossing model towns. Use ramp supports to craft highways, tufted rug surfaces for grasslands and homemade tunnels to finish intricate city plans.
Zany Stacking Combos
Teach basic STEM concepts like gravity, balance and symmetry by attempting seemingly improbable stacking combos. See how high a funky pyramid can be constructed before toppling. Try balancing different weights and shapes. Build rainbow walls by sorting rainbow bricks in color order.
Artistic Sculptures
With an abstract eye, wee ones can use DIY sculptures made from giant foam blocks as unique modern art installations. Build chunky models of animals like sloths and giraffes. Sculpt quirky robots and funny faces using mismatched cut-out shapes stuck together.
The only limits are young imaginations! Ensure kids wear comfy play clothes and keep a camera ready to chronicle their proudest creations before inevitably dismantling them to start anew.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, jumbo cardboard blocks serve up hours of engaging hands-on fun while quietly nurturing a spectrum of developmental skills in kids. Playing with chunky bricks offers a dynamic way for tiny builders to flex their mental muscles.
Monitoring kids conquer construction challenges, negotiate sharing or cooperate on collaborative buildings also offers parents a portal into their world. Displaying pride in their tower accomplishments builds confidence and self-esteem too.
So dial up the building frenzy at home with a set of oversized durable cardboard blocks. Watch your kids’ spatial smarts, fine motor dexterity, problem-solving and other executive functions flourish. Add to the chaos by crafting your very own block creations to spark friendly family competition!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the different types of jumbo cardboard blocks?
The main varieties are brick building blocks, foam building blocks, and toy stack blocks. Brick blocks look like oversized plastic building bricks, foam blocks are lightweight and flexible, while stack blocks feature geometric shapes that can build structures when stacked.
How do cardboard blocks benefit child development?
Playing with big blocks promotes fine motor skills, visual-spatial skills, problem-solving abilities, creativity, imagination, and overall cognitive growth in areas like early math and language skills.
What size are jumbo cardboard blocks?
The largest jumbo cardboard blocks can be over a foot long. Large block sizes range from 6 inches to 14 inches normally. These giant building blocks allow ambitious structures much bigger than possible with standard smaller blocks.
How much do big cardboard blocks cost?
Prices vary widely, but quality jumbo block sets with around 50-100 blocks range from $30 up to $100. Consider durability, safety certifications, customer reviews, and brand reputation when comparing options.
What are some fun cardboard block ideas?
Build towers, castles, bridges, towns, sculptures, stack combos. Recreate storybook scenes or create fantasy lands. Design roadways. Make animals, robots or art. Engage in problem-solving STEM challenges. The possibilities are endless!
Are cardboard blocks safe for young kids and babies?
Look for sets made from CPSIA compliant heavy-duty cardboard without BPAs, lead or toxins if kids under 3 will mouth blocks. Well-made chunky bricks can be safe even for kids as young as 10 months with supervision.