Large cardboard blocks are a classic toy that has stood the test of time. These oversized, sturdy blocks made of cardboard are a staple in classrooms, playrooms, and homes worldwide.
In this beginner’s guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about large cardboard blocks, including:
- What are large cardboard blocks and why are they beneficial for kids?
- The different types and features of large cardboard blocks.
- The developmental and educational benefits of playing with large cardboard blocks.
- Safety considerations and best practices when using large cardboard blocks.
- Reviews of some of the top large cardboard block sets.
- Final recommendations for choosing the right large cardboard blocks.
Let’s get started!
What Are Large Cardboard Blocks?
Large cardboard blocks are oversized blocks made out of thick, durable cardboard. They are much larger compared to regular wooden blocks or Lego bricks.
The blocks are lightweight despite their large size, making them easy for kids to handle. They usually come in standard shapes like squares, rectangles, triangles, and circles.
Large cardboard blocks are designed to be extra-thick and durable for stability when stacking and building. The cardboard is heavy-duty, coated, and often wipe-clean.
Popular brands of large cardboard blocks include Imagination Playground, Kapla, and Grimm’s. The largest blocks can measure up to 12 inches or more per side.
Sets often contain 40-100 pieces or more, with blocks coming in graduated sizes. The blocks interlock when stacked due to their precise manufacturing.
Benefits of Large Cardboard Blocks for Kids
Large cardboard blocks offer a wide range of developmental benefits for children:
- Promote motor skills – Lifting, carrying, stacking, and balancing the blocks builds gross and fine motor strength and coordination.
- Encourage creativity and imagination – The simplicity of the blocks allows for open-ended play and creativity. Kids can build almost anything they can imagine.
- Teach STEM concepts – Children learn principles of math, engineering, balance, geometry, and physics through hands-on block play.
- Develop social and emotional skills – Playing together with the blocks promotes sharing, cooperation, problem-solving, and other prosocial behaviors.
- Support early learning – Blocks can be used as manipulatives to teach colors, shapes, alphabet, counting, patterns, and more across academic subjects.
- Highly versatile – Large cardboard blocks are suitable for infants through elementary-aged kids, making them long-lasting, multi-purpose toys.
In summary, large cardboard blocks stimulate minds and muscles through constructive play. Their versatile, open-ended nature provides endless learning opportunities.
Types of Large Cardboard Blocks
There are a few main types of large cardboard blocks to choose from:
Basic Cardboard Block Sets
- Contain blocks in square/rectangular shapes only
- Come in primary colors like red, blue, yellow
- Made of coated cardboard with wipe-clean surfaces
- Available in sets of 50-100+ blocks
- Often the most affordable option
- Good for introducing early building skills
Benefits: Versatile, cost-effective, introduces STEM concepts
Jumbo Cardboard Blocks
- Oversized blocks up to 12”+ in size
- Sturdy enough for building large structures
- Allows collaborative building projects
- Promotes teamwork and social play
- Cardboard is reinforced for heavy use
Benefits: Big scale builds gross motor skills, teaches teamwork
Themed Building Block Sets
- Specialty pieces like bricks, windows, doors, wheels
- Cardboard structured for interlocking pieces
- Allows kids to build specific structures
- Comes with activity cards for guided building
- Includes related props for pretend play
Benefits: STEM learning, roleplaying, following step-by-step plans
As you can see, each style has unique advantages. Consider your child’s age, interests, and developmental needs when selecting the best options.
Key Features of High-Quality Cardboard Blocks
Here are some key features that make for safe, durable, and beneficial large cardboard blocks:
- Premium heavy-duty cardboard – Thicker-grade cardboard is more rigid and long-lasting. Avoid flimsy or thin cardboard prone to ripping or wrinkling.
- Reinforced edges – Some sets have edges reinforced with an extra layer of industrial-grade cardboard for improved durability.
- Precise manufacturing – Blocks should fit together snugly when stacked, indicating quality control in sizing.
- Multiple colors – Vibrant colors boost visual interest and support early learning skills.
- Coated surfaces – Laminate or gloss coatings allow blocks to be wiped clean between uses. Avoid porous uncoated cardboard.
- Non-toxic materials – Ensure blocks are made from child-safe, non-toxic materials free of BPAs, phthalates, and lead.
- Two or more sizes – Graduated sizes enable more variety and complex structures.
- Extra-large pieces – At least some blocks measuring 8 inches or larger provide the biggest building challenge.
- Smooth edges – Rounded or chamfered edges reduce sharpness and prevent cuts, splinters or papercuts during play.
Prioritizing these features will provide the best experience using cardboard blocks for learning and fun. Let’s look closer at the key benefits cardboard blocks offer kids.
The Developmental Benefits of Large Cardboard Blocks
Large cardboard blocks offer a myriad of developmental benefits for kids. Here are some of the key ways they support growth and learning:
Develops Motor Skills
Block play builds muscle strength, coordination, and dexterity:
- Gross motor skills – Lifting, carrying, building, and moving around the large blocks exercises arms, legs, and core muscles.
- Hand-eye coordination – Carefully balancing and stacking blocks hones visual-motor integration.
- Fine motor control – Manipulating the blocks improves dexterity, grasp and finger precision.
- Bilateral coordination – Using both hands together to build and maneuver blocks crosses the midline.
Fosters Creativity and Imaginative Play
The simplicity of blocks stimulates creative and imaginary play:
- Kids can construct anything they envision – houses, castles, roads, bridges, and more.
- Blocks offer endless possibilities for roleplaying and storytelling.
- No instructions allow for spontaneous, child-led play.
- Collaborative play builds teamwork as kids work together creatively.
Teaches Early STEM Skills
Block play provides a concrete foundation in early math and science:
- Stacking promotes an understanding of balance, gravity, and geometry.
- Seeing how high they can build challenges engineering thinking.
- Identifying shapes, counting blocks, and sorting by color or size offers math practice.
- Collaborating on structures gives insight into teamwork and spatial reasoning.
Promotes Prosocial Skills
Playing together with blocks encourages positive social behaviors:
- Sharing materials and taking turns builds generosity and patience.
- Collaborating on ambitious projects requires communication, problem-solving, and compromise.
- Cooperative play strengthens bonds and inclusiveness among peers.
Supports Early Academic Concepts
Large cardboard blocks can be integrated across the early learning curriculum:
- Match colors and shapes for early math skills.
- Practice counting and sorting a set number of blocks.
- Spell names by stacking letter blocks.
- Arrange in ABC or numerical size order to support sequencing skills.
- Use pretend play for story starters and role play.
Their versatility makes blocks an ideal cross-curricular manipulative in classrooms.
In summary, well-chosen cardboard blocks offer a wealth of learning opportunities that benefit physical, social-emotional, cognitive, and academic growth.
Safety Considerations When Using Large Cardboard Blocks
While large cardboard blocks provide wonderful benefits for kids, there are some basic safety guidelines to follow:
- Supervise play: Young kids should not be left alone unsupervised with small toy pieces due to choking hazards. Watch them to ensure safe use.
- Caution stacking high: Unstable tall block towers can easily topple over. Set reasonable limits based on age and coordination level.
- No throwing blocks: Throwing blocks at others can lead to injuries or escalated rough play.
- Watch for toppling structures: Block structures that fall over can knock into kids. Keep play areas clear of obstructions.
- Ensure even surfaces: Blocks stacked on uneven carpet or wobbly tables are prone to falling over. Find flat, stable surfaces for building.
- Check for damage: Regularly inspect blocks and remove any that are damaged or splintered. Discard blocks with ripped edges that pose a cut risk.
By following basic precautions, you can minimize potential hazards and keep the play area safe. Proper adult supervision is key. Now let’s look at some best practices for getting the most from cardboard blocks.
Best Practices for Using Large Cardboard Blocks
Here are some helpful tips for making the most of large cardboard blocks:
Allow for Open-Ended Play
- Let kids take the lead in play rather than dictating what to build.
- Allow time for freeform exploration of stacking and balancing.
- Encourage imaginary play by adding props like toy figures, blocks, and fabric scraps.
Try Guided Play Activities
- Have kids copy simple structures from picture cards.
- Challenge them to build something specific like a barn or bridge.
- Assign block-building tasks that involve math, shapes, or colors.
Rotate and Expand Sets
- Rotate some blocks out periodically to maintain novelty.
- Supplement with new pieces like wheels, doors, and plastic animals over time.
Organize and Store Properly
- Use shelves, bins, or baskets to neatly organize block sets when not in use.
- Check that all pieces are contained before putting them away to prevent lost blocks.
- Store blocks in a dry area out of direct sunlight to maintain quality.
With some simple practices, you can keep cardboard blocks engaging and educational over years of play.
Top Brands and Sets to Consider
Reputable brands producing high-quality cardboard blocks include:
Kaplan Early Learning Company
- Basic Cardboard Blocks – 40 Pieces – $39.99
- Brick Block Large Building Set – 44 Pieces – $59.99
Amazon
Lakeshore Learning
- Jumbo Cardboard Blocks – Master Set – $79.99
- Jumbo Cardboard Blocks – Starter Set – $39.99
I recommend starting with a 40-to 60-piece basic block set from a trusted brand. This allows you to try out cardboard blocks affordably. You can then expand your collection over time with more pieces, themed sets, and jumbo blocks as kids develop skills.
The Bottom Line
In conclusion, large cardboard blocks offer an amazing array of learning and developmental benefits for children. Their versatility makes them a toy with longevity, keeping kids engaged for years.
With an understanding of the different types of blocks available, key features to look for, and proper safety practices, you can confidently choose the right large cardboard block set for the child in your life.
They will enjoy endless hours of skills-building play and open-ended creativity with these classic blocks. Investing in high-quality large cardboard blocks is sure to provide an excellent return for your child’s development.
To learn more about the benefits of block play, check out these helpful resources:
- NAEYC article on Blocks as Ideal Manipulatives
- How Block Play Supports Early Learning
- Importance of Block Play from Zero to Three
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of large cardboard blocks?
Large cardboard blocks provide a wide range of developmental and educational benefits for kids. Key benefits include building gross and fine motor skills, fostering creativity and imagination, teaching early STEM concepts, promoting social-emotional skills, and reinforcing early academic learning across subjects. Their versatile open-ended play value makes them a smart toy investment.
What size are large cardboard blocks?
Large cardboard blocks are significantly bigger than traditional wooden blocks. They come in graduated sizes, with the largest blocks measuring 8 to 12 inches or more per side. Having different sizes allows for more complex structures. Many sets also include smaller 4-inch blocks for varied buildings.
How are large cardboard blocks different from regular blocks?
Large cardboard blocks are much bigger than regular wooden unit blocks. Their oversized scale makes them easier for small hands to grasp and enables bigger, more ambitious structures. Large cardboard blocks are also lightweight compared to wood blocks, yet very durable. The cardboard material gives them a wipe-clean surface and a bright colorful appearance.
What age are large cardboard blocks for?
Large cardboard blocks are suitable for children ranging from toddlers ages 2+ up to elementary school age. Their larger pieces are ideal for younger kids developing motor skills. Older children enjoy using them for more complex and collaborative structures. Sets with smaller blocks included can extend the use for preschoolers.
Are large cardboard blocks safe?
Large cardboard blocks made from non-toxic materials are completely safe for kids. However, adult supervision is always recommended for safety, especially when stacking blocks very high. Monitoring play to prevent throwing blocks or toppling structures is advised. Following basic safety practices will allow kids to enjoy cardboard blocks safely.