Building blocks are a classic toy that helps develop key skills in young children. Melissa & Doug offers a wide variety of high-quality wooden and soft building block sets that inspire open-ended play and learning.
In this beginner’s guide, we’ll explore the benefits of building blocks, look at some of Melissa & Doug’s most popular sets, and provide tips on choosing the right blocks and getting the most out of block playtime.
Why Building Blocks Are Great for Kids
Building blocks have been used for generations to help children develop physical, cognitive, and social skills through hands-on play. Here are some of the key benefits of playing with blocks:
- Enhance motor skills – Manipulating blocks enhances hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, and gross motor skills. Children use precision and control to stack, balance, and arrange blocks.
- Improve spatial awareness – Visualizing where and how to place blocks in space boosts spatial reasoning. Children learn about shapes, patterns, symmetry, and dimensions.
- Practice early math concepts – Counting, sorting, matching, patterning, sequencing, and comparing sizes and shapes introduce foundational math skills.
- Develop problem-solving – Figuring out how to build sturdy structures that won’t fall down encourages creative thinking, planning, and testing solutions.
- Boost language – Describing their block creations and collaborating on building projects expands communication and vocabulary.
- Encourage creativity – Open-ended block play allows children to experiment, use their imaginations, and express themselves without following fixed rules.
- Promote social skills – Playing together teaches teamwork, sharing, cooperation, listening, and negotiating roles.
With all these developmental benefits, it’s no wonder building blocks have stood the test of time!
Melissa & Doug’s Best Block Sets
Melissa & Doug create high-quality wooden and soft building blocks in a variety of imaginative themes. Here are some of their most popular building sets for babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and big kids.
Standard Unit Blocks
- 100+ pieces including cubes, rods, arches, and other shapes
- 1-inch size ideal for small hands
- Grade A kiln-dried solid wood
- Vibrant color palette
- Promotes math and motor skills
- Recommended for ages 3+
- 4+ star rating with over 500 reviews
This versatile set provides a traditional unit block experience. With so many pieces, kids can build elaborately and endlessly. The interchangeable shapes allow for stacking, patterns, symmetry, and more. Sturdy hardwood construction ensures this set will last for generations.
100 Piece Wood Blocks Set
- 100 blocks in 4 classic colors
- 9 different shapes including cubes, rectangles, arches
- Made from renewable rubberwood with water-based paint
- Ideal for toddlers ages 1.5+
- Promotes color/shape recognition and counting
- Combines imagination and early math skills
- Eco-friendly materials and packaging
- 4.5+ star rating with over 3,000 reviews
This set provides 100 opportunities for open-ended building play. With chunky blocks sized for little hands, toddlers can enjoy freeform creation or try their hand at stacking towers and patterns. It’s a great way to introduce colors, shapes, numbers, and spatial skills.
Wooden Building Blocks Set
- 200+ pieces in 2 sets of 100 blocks each
- Cubes, columns, planks, triangles, arches
- Smooth sanded wood with rounded edges
- Vibrant colors including primary shades
- Encourages motor skills, counting, sorting
- Two separate storage pouches for organizing
- Recommended for ages 18 months+
- 4.5+ star rating with over 1,000 reviews
With over 200 pieces, this set will keep kids busy building. Sorting by color, size, and shape boosts early math learning. Open ended play promotes creativity and imagination. The convenient fabric bags make clean up a breeze. It’s the perfect starter block set for toddlers.
Match and Build Soft Blocks Set
- 36 soft colorful foam blocks
- Unique raised picture designs
- Promotes matching, sorting, counting
- Great for developing fine motor skills
- Blocks link together easily with safe locking tabs
- Machine washable for durability
- Recommended for ages 12 months+
- 5 star rating with over 500 reviews
These lightweight blocks are perfect for babies to handle and manipulate. Matching the picture designs boosts cognitive skills. Linking the blocks together creates a fun cause and effect experience. Tightly locked tabs prevent choking hazards. It’s an ideal first block set for developmental benefits.
Deluxe 10-Piece Alphabet Nesting and Stacking Blocks
- Cardboard blocks with hand-painted letters
- Upper and lower case matching letters
- Colorful illustrations featuring animals
- Nesting and stacking play
- Recognize letters, match capital and lowercase
- Recommended for ages 2+
- Lightweight with carry handle for portability
- 4+ star rating with over 500 reviews
Help toddlers learn the alphabet with these engaging nesting blocks. Matching upper and lower case letter forms reinforces letter recognition. Vivid animal pictures correspond to each letter sound, building phonics skills. The 10 chunky blocks are perfectly sized for little hands to manipulate.
Choosing Blocks for Your Child’s Age
When selecting the best building blocks, consider your child’s age and developmental stage. Here are some general guidelines:
Under 1 year – Soft blocks with simple designs in bright contrasting colors are best for infants. Blocks that make crinkle/squeak noises add sensory stimulation. Avoid small pieces that could be mouthed or choked on.
1-2 years – Look for larger, lightweight blocks in fun shapes and colors to match, stack, and knockdown. wooden blocks or soft blocks with embedded shapes work well. Sturdy construction prevents frustration.
2-3 years – Interlocking blocks allow more elaborate creations. introduce preschool concepts with alphabet/number blocks. More complex builds boost spatial skills. Wooden unit blocks offer versatility.
3-4 years – Smaller wooden blocks encourage precision. Complex themed sets add storytelling elements. Introduce patterns and sequencing for more structured building activities. Add community helper or transportation-themed blocks.
4-5 years – Expand block play with more intricate sets to enhance imaginative play. Opt for sets with 100+ pieces to build towns, bridges, and more. STEM sets add engineering and physics concepts.
5-6 years – Bigger kids will enjoy architectural block sets and LEGO bricks to fuel their creativity. Upgrade to jumbo blocks, city-themed sets, or motorized sets for excitement.
No matter the age, the best blocks match the child’s interests, developing abilities, and style of play. Watch for frustration or disinterest as signs your child needs a different block challenge.
Getting the Most Out of Block Play
To maximize the developmental benefits of building blocks, keep these tips in mind:
- Let creativity guide open-ended play rather than trying to force specific outcomes.
- Ask questions about your child’s structures to spur thinking and language.
- Occasionally suggest challenges like building the tallest tower or a bridge between two blocks.
- Introduce math and science concepts like shapes, patterns, balance, and gravity.
- Combine blocks with other toys like cars, animal figurines, and dolls for imaginative play.
- Encourage cooperation by building together. Assign roles and tasks.
- Rotate toys to refresh interest, or provide new building materials like cardboard boxes or recycling.
- Display your child’s block creations proudly before disassembling them to encourage a sense of accomplishment.
- Keep a schedule for regular block playtime without distractions from screens or electronics.
The simple act of playing with blocks provides a wealth of learning opportunities. Allowing your child the freedom to experiment and create without judgment promotes self-confidence, problem-solving, and a lifelong love of learning.
Fun Add-Ons to Enhance Block Play
To take block play to the next level, consider adding on these supplemental toys and accessories:
- Mini-figures like animals, people, or action figures for storytelling
- Transportation toys like cars, trucks, planes, or trains to build infrastructure
- LEGO base plates to construct on a stable surface
- Building mat with road templates or construction scenes
- Tool sets with plastic hammers, wrenches, and hard hats for role-play
- Blockplay app with virtual building challenges
- Picture books about construction or architecture for inspiration
- Specialty blocks like magnets, gears, or STEM sets for advanced building
As your child’s skills and interests develop, refreshing block collections with new accessories prevent boredom. Expanding the experience builds even more developmental skills.
Top Melissa & Doug Blocks to Try
Here are 5 of the best-rated and most popular Melissa and Doug building block sets to consider for your little builder:
- Standard Unit Blocks – Classic 100+ piece wooden set for open-ended building
- Match and Build Soft Blocks – Bright foam blocks that link together with picture-matching
- 100 Piece Wood Blocks – Affordable starter set made of solid rubberwood
- Number Train – Chunky wooden blocks with colorful number concepts
- Build-a-House Wooden Blocks – 60+ pieces for house-building adventures
Of course, you can’t go wrong with LEGO sets, but Melissa & Doug blocks offer exceptional quality and developmental benefits at a more affordable price point. Their products are designed by educators to enrich children through the power of hands-on play.
Get Building Today!
Building blocks remain one of the simplest yet most beneficial developmental toys for young children. Allow your child the gift of free play and creativity by providing them with an engaging set of blocks suited for their age.
Melissa & Doug blocks inspire open-ended building opportunities to hone fine motor, cognitive, math, and social skills. Made from high-quality materials built to last, these block sets will provide years of enjoyment.
Now that you know about the many benefits of block play and have an overview of the excellent Melissa & Doug line, it’s time to pick up a set and start building! We hope this beginner’s guide provides a solid foundation to help you and your child get the most out of block playtime. Let the fun begin!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of playing with building blocks?
Playing with building blocks provides many developmental benefits for children. Blocks enhance fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination as kids grasp, stack, and assemble blocks. They boost spatial awareness and early math skills like counting, sorting, sequencing, and recognizing shapes and patterns. Block building also promotes problem-solving, creativity, and language skills.
What age is best for starting with building blocks?
Blocks can be introduced around 6-12 months with soft, lightweight blocks for grasping and mouthing. Around 1 year, toddlers can start playing with wooden blocks and chunky plastic blocks for stacking and knocking down. Preschoolers ages 2-4 are ready for more complex builds using interlocking blocks, patterns, and STEM concepts.
What types of blocks are best for toddlers?
Look for larger, lightweight blocks made of wood, plastic, or soft materials that are easy for toddlers to grip and manipulate. Simple shapes like cubes, rectangles, arches, and ramps allow for imaginative stacking and knocking down. Avoid very small pieces that could pose a choking hazard. Melissa & Doug have excellent toddler-friendly options.
How can I maximize the benefits of block play?
The key is to let your child lead open-ended, creative block play without structured rules. Ask questions, introduce new vocabulary, suggest challenges, and combine blocks with other toys for pretend play. Display finished builds proudly before disassembling. Provide plenty of unstructured block time without electronic distractions.
What are good add-ons to make block play more exciting?
Mix up block play by adding toy figures for storytelling like people, animals, or vehicles. Try activity mats or LEGO baseplates to build on. Introduce specialty blocks like magnets, gears, alphabet blocks, or themed sets around your child’s interests. Building tool kits and picture books also make great block accessories for little builders.