Building blocks are a beloved toy that have captivated children’s imagination for generations. These simple colored blocks made of wood, plastic or other materials inspire open-ended creative play, build spatial skills, and lay the foundation for STEM learning. This beginner’s guide covers everything a parent or gift-giver needs to know about building blocks for kids.
What Are Building Blocks?
Building blocks refer to interlocking toy blocks of various shapes, sizes and materials that can be stacked vertically and horizontally to construct buildings, vehicles, animals and more. They go by many names like wooden blocks, construction toys, stackable blocks and plastic blocks.
Building blocks are designed to spark imaginative play for toddlers, preschoolers and older children. They help develop:
- Spatial awareness
- Creativity
- Fine motor skills
- Problem solving
- Early math concepts like counting, sorting and patterns
- Leadership and collaboration skills through group play
Unlike puzzles that have fixed solutions, building blocks are open-ended with endless possibilities. There are also special themed block sets for constructing buildings, vehicles, animals, architectural landmarks and more.
Types of Building Blocks
There are several major types of toy blocks distinguished by key characteristics:
Wooden Blocks
- Made of solid wood like maple, oak or beech
- Often have smooth, sanded edges
- Natural, lightweight material
- Classic block style since the 1800s
- Can be pricey for larger sets
Plastic Blocks
- Made of durable, BPA-free plastic
- Usually have rounded edges for safety
- Vibrant colors that appeal to kids
- Tend to be more affordable than wood
- Great for giant block play
Magnetic Blocks
- Blocks with embedded magnets to build vertically
- Allow advanced and gravity-defying structures
- Help teach engineering concepts
- More expensive block variety
- Not suitable for under 3 years due to magnet hazard
Foam Blocks
- Constructed from soft, lightweight foam
- Easy for small hands to manipulate
- Safe for toddlers – no sharp edges
- Often in bright colors and textures
- Lett ideal for tall structures
Electronic Blocks
- Building blocks with motors, lights and sounds
- Encourage experimentation in engineering
- Develop early coding and electronics skills
- More niche category – higher price point
Benefits of Building Blocks
Open-ended building block play offers a wealth of developmental benefits for children including:
- Creativity & Imagination – Building block play is guided by a child’s imagination rather than rigid rules. This sparks creative experimentation with unlimited possibilities.
- Problem-solving Skills – Assembling blocks requires spatial reasoning, trial-and error testing and critical thinking to construct stable structures.
- Fine Motor Development – The process of grasping, rotating, stacking and balancing blocks strengthens fine motor muscles in toddler hands. This aids coordination.
- Math & Logic Concepts – Structures made of uniform blocks introduce early math ideas like counting units, equal height, patterns and fractions.
- Spatial Intelligence – Visualizing and manipulating 3D structures boosts spatial reasoning abilities linked to success in STEM fields.
- Collaboration – Collaborative building block play teaches teamwork, communication, joint decision-making and leadership skills.
In short, building blocks offer the perfect guided play activity to build key developmental skills during the toddler and preschool years.
Choosing Building Blocks
With a huge variety of block sets available, choosing the right starter set for a child can be tricky. Here are top tips for selecting age-appropriate blocks:
Age
- Under 1 year – Avoid small pieces. Choose soft, light blocks.
- 1-3 years – Prioritize larger pieces for little hands. Consider wooden or plastic blocks.
- 3+ years – Introduce more complex block varieties like magnetic blocks.
Types of Pieces
Themed building sets like zoo animals or construction vehicles tell a story. For free-form building, opt for sets with simple square and rectangular pieces. Some also have triangles, arches, cylinders etc.
Number of Pieces
- 50-100 pieces good starter set for toddlers
- 100-300 pieces offer more advanced structures
- 300+ pieces best for preschool/school-aged kids
Materials
Wooden blocks are timeless but can get pricey. Durable plastic blocks in bright colors are budget-friendly. For babies and toddlers unable to build tall structures yet, soft fabric or foam blocks are best.
Top Building Block Brands
For premium quality blocks tested for safety and durability, consider leading brands like:
LEGO
- The gold standard in interlocking plastic bricks
- Massive variety of themed and free-form sets
- Sets scaled for different skills levels
- Block parties and events at LEGOLAND parks
Magna-Tiles
- Colorful magnetic building blocks
- Create advanced 3D structures
- Develop spatial and math skills
- Explore shapes, patterns and symmetry
- Award-winning toy since the 1990s
Keva Planks
- Precisely cut wooden planks and posts
- No connectors – gravity holds sculptures together
- Natural look complements room décor
- Inspires creative open-ended play
- Sets organized by level of difficulty
Lincoln Logs
- Classic notched miniature logs made of pine
- Build log cabin structures
- First created in 1916 by Frank Lloyd Wright’s son
- Timeless educational construction toy
Where to Buy Building Blocks
Building blocks are readily available both online and in-store at major national retailers including:
- Toys “R” Us
- Walmart
- Target
- Amazon
- eBay
Specialty construction toys may be found in neighborhood toy stores or family-owned shops specializing in open-ended toys. These retailers also offer play events and block parties ideal for testing products before purchasing.
For rare vintage building sets or replacement parts, visit specialty online marketplaces like BrickLink and BrickOwl which operate as exchanges for new and used blocks. Custom bulk block orders can also be sourced through Alibaba and other wholesale platforms.
Building Block Storage & Organization
Without proper storage between play sessions, a monstrous pile of blocks can quickly take over a playroom. Keep blocks organized with storage solutions like:
Bins
Clear plastic storage bins let kids easily spot colors and pieces while keeping stray blocks contained. Labels help with cleanup and separating sets.<div style=”text-align:center”><img src=”buildingblocks5.jpg” alt=”Building blocks organized in labeled storage bins” width=”500″></div>
Shelves
Mounted cubbies, racks and shelves display block collections while getting toys off the floor. This makes cleanup after block play simpler.
Tables
A building block activity table serves as both storage and play surface. Some feature built-in bins and flat tops suited to building.
Mats
Soft floor mats define a building area while protecting surfaces from scratches and marking. They contain stray blocks until cleanup.
Proper storage preserves organization between sessions, avoids lost pieces and makes block play more inviting long-term.
Fun Building Block Activities
Beyond free-form construction, building blocks offer unlimited fun through games and group activities like:
- Block Bowling – Line up blocks as pins and take turns rolling a soft ball to knock them down.
- Block Puzzle Race – Time kids as they assemble a sample structure from blocks as fast as possible.
- Memory Block Stacking – Build a block tower, hide it under a cloth, then have kids recreate it from memory.
- Alphabet Block Cities – Construct block towers using only letters to spell out city names.
- Story Block Building – Craft stories inspired by unique structures built from blocks.
Activities spark friendly competition, encourage motor skills development and make block play even more entertaining.
Key Takeaways
- Building blocks inspire open-ended, imaginative play supporting creativity and STEM skills.
- Key types of blocks include wooden, plastic, magnetic, foam and electronic blocks. Consider age and developmental needs when selecting blocks
- Look for durable blocks from trusted brands like LEGO, Magna-Tiles and Lincoln Logs.
- Proper storage solutions allow for quick cleanup so block play remains inviting long-term.
- Group block games cultivate friendly competition and engagement in block construction.
Building blocks are the quintessential developmentally-appropriate toy for toddlers and preschoolers. With an engaging starter set, organizing solutions and ideas for active group play, blocks offer years of open-ended fun supporting growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best first building blocks for toddlers?
For toddlers 18 months to 3 years, choose larger sized plastic or wooden blocks with no sharp edges. Bright colors help develop color recognition alongside dexterity and problem-solving skills. Popular starter blocks include LEGO DUPLO and Mega Bloks.
How many building blocks should a starter set include?
A starter building block set should contain between 50-100 pieces for toddlers or 100-300 pieces for preschoolers. Too few pieces limits creation possibilities but too many pieces can overwhelm younger builders. Select a set with shapes and vibrant colors suited to the child’s age.
Should I buy wooden or plastic blocks?
Both wooden blocks and plastic blocks have advantages. Wooden blocks offer a timeless, natural look that fits home decor. Plastic blocks allow bright colors to develop color recognition and are very durable over years of use. Consider child age, use environment and budget when deciding between wood vs. plastic blocks.
How can I organize all the scattered blocks?
Effective building block storage keeps play areas tidy between sessions. Clear plastic bins with sorting trays, mounted shelves and zippered mats with pockets all neaten loose blocks. Labels help kids properly sort and organize diverse pieces while developing cleaning habits.
Why are construction toys like blocks great STEM toys?
Building various structures requires utilizing concepts like balance, spatial reasoning and geometric shapes. This directly builds science, engineering and math skills – key pillars of STEM education. Open-ended block play lays excellent early critical thinking foundations for later success in technical fields.