Foam building blocks allow children and even adults to build creations limited only by their imaginations. Unlike smaller building blocks or Lego bricks, oversized foam blocks are lightweight, easy to handle, and assemble into giant structures like castles, forts, and buildings of all kinds. With so many options to choose from, this beginner’s guide will tell you everything you need to know about these fun and versatile blocks.
What Are Large Foam Building Blocks?
Large foam building blocks are oversized, interlocking blocks made of soft, lightweight foam that can be stacked and arranged into various constructions. They are available in different colors and shapes like bricks, columns, arcs, and more, with sizes ranging from approx. 12 inches to a few feet per block.
Key Features of Large Foam Building Blocks:
- Made of soft, durable foam (polyethylene foam, EVA foam, etc.)
- Lightweight and easy for kids to handle
- Oversized with dimensions from 12-36 inches
- Interlocking shapes allow solid construction
- Bright colors like red, blue, green, yellow
- Waterproof and washable material
- Non-toxic and safe for kids
These building blocks are excellent open-ended construction toys that encourage creativity and imagination in children. Plus, they can be used indoors or outdoors by schools, daycares, recreational facilities, and more to enhance play and motor skills development.
Benefits of Using Giant Foam Blocks
From early learning centers to children’s museums, giant foam blocks offer a myriad of benefits:
✅ Promote creativity, problem solving and STEM skills
✅ Improve spatial intelligence and hand-eye coordination
✅ Develop teamwork and social interaction
✅ Spark imagination and role playing activities
✅ Reusable over and over again in diverse ways
According to Amanda Yarmosky, Director at Rochester Children’s Museum:
“Adding large foam blocks to our museum play spaces gave kids the chance to dream bigger, create structures they can walk through, and collaborate on an entirely new scale.”
Whether used alone or combined with other elements like balls, crates and craft supplies, oversized building blocks take playtime to the next level while supporting crucial developmental growth.
Types of Giant Foam Blocks
There are a variety of products when you’re looking into extra-large foam building sets. Here are some top-rated options:
Big Blue Blocks by Imagination Playground
Imagination Playground’s Big Blue Blocks take the classic foam block to oversized proportions with chunky blocks measuring from 12 to 19 inches in length. Available in 10 vibrant colors, the lightweight blocks interlock to form amazingly large structures.
Blue foam blocks features:
- Oversized scale sparks big ideas
- Interlocking shapes for stability
- Lightweight and easy to handle
- Vibrant colors create visual impact
- Made in the USA from durable foam
- Meets safety standards for play
Excellerations Giant Foam Pattern Blocks
For a fun math and STEM twist, check out Excelleration’s Giant Foam Pattern Blocks. Laser cut into proportionally accurate geometric shapes like triangles, rectangles and arcs, these vivid pattern blocks bring hands-on learning alive.
Key specs of the Excellerations giant pattern blocks:
- Geometric shapes support math skills
- Bring STEM concepts to life visually
- Blocks measure 36 inches in size
- Vivid colors catch kids’ attention
- Durable EVA foam is weather resistant
- Washable and reusable for years
- Made in the USA
Excellerations Jumbo Foam Block Building Set
Simpler than patterns but still sensationally sized, this 36-piece Excellerations Jumbo Block Set delivers on the giant scale. Vibrantly colored square and rectangular prisms measuring 18 x 18 x 36 inches assemble into towering structures.
Why kids love these jumbo building bricks:
- Oversized 18 inch cubes feel mega
- Vibrant rainbow colors pop visually
- Smooth edges for safe handling
- Build super-sized constructions
- Develop spatial and motor skills
- Lightweight for easy building play
- Durable and long lasting foam
The versatile rectangles, squares and half blocks allow open-ended creativity in 3D.
Giant Soft Building Blocks by Lakeshore Learning Materials
For a softer feel, Lakeshore Learning offers plush giant building bricks measuring a substantial 22 inches on each side. Available in handy half-brick sizes, the oversized cubes interlock securely while cushioning inevitable falls.
Features that make these blocks stand out include:
- Ultra-soft and lightweight material
- XXL 22 inch dimensions
- Bright red, blue and yellow colors
- Half and quarter shapes available
- Assembly pieces help structures stay locked
- Withstand repeated use for years
- Machine washable convenience
This extra-gentle giant option is perfect for younger kids!
No matter which oversized building brick brand you choose, the benefits for developing minds and bodies are enormous!
Where to Use Giant Building Blocks
Thanks to their oversized nature, giant foam blocks have a wide range of settings and applications:
Early Childhood Education
Incorporating big building blocks into early education lesson plans helps make teaching core subjects more engaging and interactive. Math concepts like shapes, sorting, counting and fractions can be taught while letting kids actively manipulate the vivid foam blocks.
Language skills also grow as teachers prompt descriptive discussions and storytelling about the structures students create. Experiments with concepts like balance, symmetry, measurement and gravity bring science to life as well.
Children’s Museums & Play Spaces
Children’s museums embrace giant foam blocks to cultivate curiosity, creativity and collaboration with visiting kids. Unstructured building play promotes:
- Engaging STEM explorations
- Teamwork and social skills
- Improved spatial intelligence
- Physical activity and motor skills
Set up big block play zones in high-traffic areas so visiting children and families can enjoy hours of edu-taining block activities. Provide safety rules and adult supervision as needed.
Public Libraries
Increasingly libraries are transforming into dynamic community hubs with maker spaces, tech workshops and engaging play zones to attract more families.
Brightly colored foam block structures spark the imagination during story times. Block play also provides a constructive outlet during down times that keeps kids creatively occupied.
Recreational Facilities
Community centers, indoor playgrounds, children’s gyms and even pediatric hospital playrooms benefit from giant foam blocks too. Guided building activities present opportunities for engaging interaction and play-based learning.
Portable sets of big blocks also allow recreation staff flexibility to hold special block play events and programming in lobbies or meeting rooms on a temporary basis.
Wherever applied, oversized building blocks unlock benefits developing minds.
Safety Precautions & Proper Care
While foam blocks provide impact cushioning if constructions collapse, safe block play does require some reasonable precautions. Follow this guidance to ensure safety:
- Adult supervision is essential for younger kids
- Enforce reasonable height limits on structures
- Ensure clearance from potential hazards like ceiling fans
- Watch for trips or collisions during active block play
- Periodically check blocks for damage or vandalism
Caring properly for your investment in foam blocks extends their usable lifetime too:
- Store blocks neatly packed up when not in use
- Transport sets carefully without dropping
- Wash blocks periodically with mild detergent
- Avoid exposing foam blocks to extreme weather or moisture
- Replace damaged blocks right away through the manufacturer
Following these common sense practices keeps the building excitement safe and structures standing tall!
Where to Buy Giant Foam Blocks
While regular retail stores may carry small-scale foam blocks, sourcing true oversized blocks does require some savvy shopping. Here are top options to buy jumbo building bricks:
Online Retailers
Specialty online stores like Lakeshore Learning Materials, Kaplan Early Learning Company, and Discount School Supply offer the biggest selections of extra-large foam building kits for school and daycare settings.
Consumer sites like Amazon and Walmart also market some brand name big brick sets for home use. Check product descriptions closely for accurate dimensions though, as listings can sometimes exaggerate normal block sizes as “giant”.
Local Educational Suppliers
Teacher supply stores and educational material companies who cater to schools and daycares locally often carry larger inventories of the big block brands like Imagination Playground. Call around or visit websites of education specialists in your region.
Manufacturers
Buying direct from established US manufacturers like Excellerations Brands and Big Blue Blocks ensures you’re getting authentic premium oversized blocks. Expect potential higher prices but greater assurance on accurate sizes plus warranty policies.
Where bricks and mortar fails, foam blocks soar! Construct your own supersized supply using the sourcing strategies above.
Budget Considerations
While regular small foam blocks are inexpensive, larger-scale sizes do involve more material, production labor and shipping costs. Here is a pricing comparison of some options:
| Product | Set Details | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Big Blue Blocks | 30 pc Starter Set | $449 |
| Excellerations Giant Pattern Blocks | 30 pc Classroom Set | $189 |
| Excellerations Jumbo Block Set | 36 pc Set | $259 |
| Lakeshore Giant Soft Blocks | 30 pc Set | $299 |
Bulk discounts may apply for very large orders. You can also mix-and-match brick shape add-ons like ramps, columns and triangles to save rather than buying full preset kits.
Grant funding opens up more possibilities too – explore block set options with supportive local community foundations. Crowdfunding campaigns can also successfully fund special giant block projects.
With smart sourcing and budgeting, almost any organization can build an exciting big brick construction zone!
Build Bigger with Giant Foam Blocks
Oversized foam building blocks inspire more ambitious building play while developing crucial cognitive and motor skills too. With many types, colors and sizes available, the possibilities are endless.
Hopefully this beginner’s guide provided a solid foundation on the benefits of big building bricks. Check out the amazing giant block creations kids of all ages can construct by bringing these fun, developmentally enriching toys into schools, museums, libraries and more!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best large foam building blocks for stability?
Blocks with interlocking shapes or built-in connectors like Big Blue Blocks provide the most structural stability. The oversized chunks assemble solidly while still being easy for small hands to handle.
How do giant foam blocks support learning?
Open-ended building play promotes spatial skills, hand-eye coordination, and problem solving. Sorting colorful blocks also teaches patterns, counting, fractions and more. Using blocks in lessons makes STEM subjects more engaging too.
Are blocks safe for young kids?
Yes, oversized foam building blocks for toddlers are lightweight and cushioned for safety. But adult supervision is still essential, especially for structures over 4 ft tall. Follow other common sense precautions listed in the safety guidelines.
Can jumbo foam blocks be used outdoors?
It depends on the brand. Some like Big Blue Blocks work for indoor/outdoor use, while others like Lakeshore Giant Soft Blocks are not weather resistant. Check manufacturer guidelines before placing extra large building blocks outdoors.
Do grants help fund giant block purchases?
Yes, many education foundations and community initiatives support learning through play. STEM grants often subsidize purchases of oversized building blocks and other engaging hands-on curriculum materials.