BUILDING BLOCKS FOR TODDLERS? Back in style? With the holiday season being just around the corner, most people are already looking into gift options and ideas for their families and loved ones. One of the most challenging demographics to buy gifts for has to be toddlers. This challenge arises because you have to keep in mind their safety and the impact whichever toy you decide on will have on their impressionable little minds. If you are looking for the most appropriate gifts for toddlers aged 18 months to 3 years, it is best to consider building blocks.

Blocks

Building block play proven to be a very impactful and useful learning tool for toddlers. Research has indicated block play to be valuable in the stimulation of learning in various domains including intellectual, developmental, physical, socio-emotional and lingual. Also introducing toddlers to block play early in life has proven to be fundamental in their development of cognitive skills in learning with numbers later in life.

Some of the benefits of playing with building blocks include:

•    It helps the child learn problem-solving skills – Building blocks for toddlers fluidity the way they can be played with, i.e., they can be stacked in very many different ways. This makes them a form of divergent play. Indulging in this type of play helps toddlers learn how to creatively think and solve divergent problems (solving a problem in multiple ways)

Learning

•    They learn better social skills – Research has shown that toddlers become friendlier with others when engaged in a joint play like block play. They become more socially aware and tend to form better quality friendships in the future. They also learn how to share and cooperate with others.

•    It encourages creativity

– Because the blocks move freely this enables the toddlers to use their imagination to create different things in different ways during play. This can also act to improve their self-esteem as they become more aware of their abilities in creating something new.

•    Promotes motor skills – Block play requires constant movement of the blocks by the toddler and therefore provides them with an opportunity to learn how to control their motor movements better.

•    It helps them expand their imagination – Block play gives toddlers the platform to form anything they want. They can follow their own plan or engage a friend and come up with something completely new. This encourages them to use their imagination in their creations.

With all these benefits arising from a play toy, it is not a surprise that you would also want to invest in such a great learning tool. Some of the best toy building blocks for toddlers are:

1.    Mega Bloks Deluxe Building Bag

This is a perfect pick as a starter block play toy as it comes in big pieces that are easier to play with for the young ones. This building set pretty much resembles the lego building block set but in a more substantial variation. A bag comes with 80 individual block pieces. The pieces are bright colors which makes them very attractive to toddlers. It comes with a clear plastic storage bag that is free from harmful products like PVC and BPA.

• Pros:
• The block pieces are large making them safer for toddlers to play with
• They are very colorful therefore help toddlers learn about colors
• It helps toddlers improve their hand-eye coordination
• Stimulates and improve motor skills
• Safe, eco-friendly materials
• The duffle bag makes them easier to store
• They are relatively affordable

Cons:

•    Some of the single pieces tend to fit too loosely

•    A single package can contain a large number of 1*1 blocks which are not very versatile in building with

What we like about it

It is very toddler-friendly, has rounded edges that do not hurt when stepped on and above all the blocks are big making them easier to find. It is also compatible with most first builder sets.

2.    30 Alphabet Blocks with Letters Colors by Skoolzy

The play blocks primarily made of wood with letters painted on the sides using different vibrant and attractive colors. The wooden blocks come in measurements of about 1-inch squares. The set comes with a 100% washable cotton backpack for easy storage of the pieces.

Pros:

It is a great tool for introducing toddlers to their alphabets and colors in a fun enjoyable way

Helps toddlers improve their hand-eye coordination skills

It also helps with mastery of fine motor skills as the toddlers learn to stack up the blocks to different heights

Cons:

It is not suitable for toddlers who still tend to place objects into their mouths as it can pose a choking hazard

They don’t contain an illustration on all sides of the blocks. Only two sides have letters with the other four sides remaining blank.

What we like about it

It is a great and fun way of introducing your toddler to the alphabets, reading, and writing. It is also a fun learning activity that the toddler can have with the parent.

3.    Magnetic Wooden Block Set

This toy comes in a variety of shapes including cubes, long planks, short planks and large planks. The characteristics of a simple wooden design with magnets embedded in each piece that allows them to stick to each other. Pieces made from hardwood which means they are very durable and if properly taken care of can last for quite a long time.

Pros:

easy to play with as the pieces stick together in whichever fashion desired

nature-friendly materials and do not contain any small parts

ability to stick to each other makes them curiously attractive to toddlers

not easy to lose as, as previously stated, they cling to each other

rounded edges also make them very safe for play too

Cons:

•    They are slightly pricier than other block toys

•    The small magnets contained in them can be very hazardous if swallowed

What we like about it

The magnetism in these blocks makes it possible for toddlers to build things that normal building blocks don’t allow. It is also a plus that the company involves sustainability efforts for the locals in Honduras.

4.    Fisher-Price Brilliant Basics Baby’s First Blocks

This play toy comes in a brilliant red bucket-like box with a bright yellow lid. The lid has distinctive holes at the top shaped like each of the ten colorful blocks. The blocks come in pairs making the holes at the top five, one for each pair. The bucket-like box comes with a handle that allows the toddler to carry it along wherever.

Pros:

unique shape-sorting lid helps toddlers learn how to identify and match shapes

helps with fine motor skills as the toddler has to align the blocks with the holes perfectly

different color that each block has also helps introduce the toddler to color identification

Cons:

•    A common complaint has been that the lid does not fit snuggly into the bucket making it very easy for the toddler to take it off

What we like about it

This toy is a comprehensive learning tool packaged in a simplistic way. It teaches the toddler fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and identification of shapes and colors. As well as how to solve convergent problems. Problems solved in one way. This is possible as a block can only go through the bucket if it is placed in its rightful slot).

5.    Earlyears Squeak ‘n Stack Blocks Baby Toy

This toy comes with nine blocks of different vibrant colors and textures with one side embossed with a shape or animal and all the other sides having textured shapes. These blocks are made of soft, squeezable material that is easy to clean and squeaks which is a guaranteed hit with toddlers. lThe blocks also come with a pouch for easy storage.

Pros:

•    The textured sides of the block help with sensory development of toddlers

made of a vinyl material that is easily cleaned

soft with no sharp edges making it perfect for use for toddlers aged months

suitable for teething babies as they are soft enough to chew

Cons:

•    The crevices contained in the blocks can be quite hard to reach and clean

What we like about it

This toy is very ideal for babies who still put items in their mouths. As long as they are thoroughly cleaned, they are safe to be played with, and you do not have to worry about the toddler injuring themselves with it.

6.    B. Toys B One Two Squeeze Blocks

These are plastic blocks which are embossed with different animals and numbers on each side. They come in a clear plastic bag with ten pieces. The blocks are of bright colors which are visually attractive to babies and are made of a soft, flexible, squeezable material. They make a distinctive squeaky sound when squeezed too.

Pros:

They are multi-functional, i.e., they can be stacked, squeezed for the squeaky sound and also used as a bath time play toy as they float in  water

used as a teething toy as they are chewable

safe for play by babies as they are very soft and have no sharp edges

plastic bag makes them very easy to store

What we like about them

It is a great starter toy to introduce toddlers to shapes, animals, and colors. It also helps them learn how to grab and hold things and offer great sensory stimulation.

7.    Magnetic Building Set Offered Exclusively by Magz

The Magz-Bricks 40 is a building set that comes with 40 magnetized building blocks of the same shape but different fun colors. The blocks can be stacked up by magnetically aligning them on top of each other making them a perfect choice for a starter building set.

Pros:

bright, vibrant colors make them very attractive for toddlers

Stacking the blocks is easy because of the magnetism making them very usable by toddlers

The magnetism gives toddlers unlimited freedom to explore, design and create without following set parameters

Cons:

The most common complaint with this toy is that for the price its being sold at, there isn’t enough of them

What we like about it

They are easy for the toddlers to play with as they hold better due to the magnetism. They are also easy to find around the house as they are not too small.

8.    Non-Toxic Floating Waterproof Foam Building Blocks

This set comes with 16 block pieces of different shapes and sizes, a board, and two rubber duckies. The board provides a base for the creation on the water surface. All these items are waterproof and can float for a fun bath time activity. The soft textures of the blocks make them very safe and particularly ideal for toddlers with sensitive skin. The set also comes with a mesh tote that can hold everything together.

Pros:

They are brightly colored and visually attractive

Are made of non-toxic materials making them safe for play with water

blocks cling to each other when wet and can therefore still hold the creation through a small wave

can maintain their shape for long as they are waterproof

colors do not wash out

made of a sturdy foam material that dries out quickly and doesn’t mold

What we like about it

Building on the water can be quite challenging as the surface is not stable. Toddlers learn to work through these challenges and apply critical thinking for a creation to stand.

9.    Magnetic Building Blocks Construction Learning Educational Toy Set

This toy set comes with 30 pieces altogether, 18 squares and 12 triangles in different colors that give the toddlers unhindered creativity possibilities to come up with unique constructions. The set is made of high-quality ABS plastic and magnetic material molded into geometrical shapes with round edges.

Pros:

These building blocks have a more powerful magnetic force and therefore possible to create various intricate designs with through easy manipulation

This construction set sharpens spatial abilities in toddlers

The different rainbow-colored pieces enables toddlers to acquire a stronger color identification sense

It improves memory and fine motor skills in children

Promotes pattern recognition

Cons:

•    The small pieces can pose a choking hazard for babies

•    The small magnets can cause dire medical issues if swallowed.

What we like about them

They are both educational and entertaining as they promote creative thinking, problem-solving skills, social skills as well as fine motor skills (they are great for playtime with other children).

10.     Newisland 40-pcs Magnetic Blocks Set

This building block set comes with 40 pieces of magnetized blocks in different vibrant rainbow colors. Each block is made of high-quality original ABS material that is non-toxic. Each block has smooth edges making them very play friendly for toddlers. The safety of these blocks has been further guaranteed by each of them going through the ultrasonic process for better tightness ensuring prevention of breaking perfectly sealing the magnetic material within the block. It comes with a clear container zipper bag that helps with storage of the block set.

Pros:

smooth rounded edges makes this block set very safe for toddlers

ultrasonic process seals in the magnetic materials removing any choking hazard that comes with other similar building block sets

The blocks have powerful magnetic forces that make it fluid and possible to achieve more complex creations

What we like about it

With simple shapes, toddlers can achieve various creations. Their creativity is further expanded with the strong magnetic pulls of the magnetic materials used in this building block set.

11.    Melissa and Doug Wooden Building Block Set

Classic building block toys were made of wood and painted, the Melissa and Doug wooden building block set remain true to traditional methods of toy making. A complete building block set comes with 100 pieces of very colorful blocks with nine different shapes. The set uses only four colors i.e., red, blue, yellow and green. It is ideal as a continuing building block toy for toddlers who have mastered necessary motor skills.

Pros:

made of solid wood making it very sturdy

They are lightweight

help with mastery of fine motor skills, color and shape identification

•    The rounded edges make it safer for toddlers o play with

Cons:

•    Most complaints about this building set it that most people would prefer it to come in bigger sizes

•    They are not ideal for toddlers with a tendency to chew toys as they can splinter

What we like about it

This building set is very classic in construction making it a timeless item that will probably still be in use for ages to come. It still functions as a useful education tool for toddlers.

12.    Classic Wooden Stacking Train Toddler Toy

This classic train toy is made of solid wood. The train is primarily three train cars with wooden dowels atop them. It comes with 15 brightly colored wooden blocks that can be stacked on the train cars to create a train or played with separately. The wooden blocks come in the four primary colors that are red, yellow, green, and blue. The sturdy design of this classic train set is sure to make it a favorite for years to come.

Pros:

• •    It is sturdy and made of solid wood which makes it durable 
• •    The basic shapes and colors of the blocks helps toddlers learn about shapes and colors easily
• •    The brightly colored blocks are easy for toddlers to grasp
• •    Aids in the development of simple color and shape recognition skills
• Cons:
• •    There isn’t much variation in ways to play with this toy apart from rolling it along and can, therefore, tend to be a bit boring
• •    It doesn’t make turns smoothly
• •    Some of the pegs on the train  cars do manage to come off easily
• •    It is not ideal for rough play as the blocks can chip and cause splinters

What we like about it

This classic wooden train toy very instrumental in the development of fine motor skills and early cognitive abilities in toddlers. It is also a fantastic throwback toy to keep as a collectible.

13.     Edushape Corrugated Blocks

This building block set is made of industrial grade corrugated cardboard and finished in colorful brick wall pattern. Although they are made using corrugated cardboard, the building blocks are nonetheless very sturdy with each board capable of holding up to 100 lbs. The set comes with 84 pieces comprising of 3 colors, three sizes, and two shapes.

Pros:

•    It is lightweight making them easily movable by toddlers

•    It is sturdy and durable corrugated cardboard

• Cons:
• •    The main complaint with this set is the need for a uniform set instead of a set of combination blocks of different sizes
• •    They are not suitable for toddlers who still chew on toys as they easily get disfigured
• •    The little blocks do not stack up well
• •    Can be quite cumbersome to store

What we like about it

This building block set helps with the development of gross motor skills, logic and reasoning, hand-eye coordination, socialization, and visual sensory development. All the above toys can be used as an early learning tool to introduce toddlers to early in their development.

What Criteria We Used in Choosing this List

Building blocks toy sets have already been proven to be fundamental in the development of various skills in toddlers. It is essential to introduce the right building block set to the toddler at the right stage to ensure that there is a step by gradual step progression in their learning curve.

Each of these toys was subjected to scrutiny to ensure that they offer the appropriate developmental milestones relevant for each age group, quality of the toy set’s craftsmanship, the safety of the materials used in making the building block sets and the reviews of people who have already used these toys.

With all this in mind, we ensure that we only recommend toys that offer you the best in quality and performance while also being relatively affordable.