Building Blocks are a must-have toy for children of every age, and the best part is a block collection can grow with your child over the years. In the early days playing with blocks helps solidify concepts like cause and effect while developing motor skills and hand-eye coordination. As they grow, so do the possibilities and uses for wooden blocks. Here are some tips on choosing the right building blocks for your child.
Baby's First Building Blocks: Ages 6 months to 2 years
When you're choosing your child's first set of wooden building blocks focus on simplicity. Look for a set of lightweight cubes that can be easily grasped by small hands and are safe for them to put in their mouths. There's no need for huge sets with a hundred blocks, their primary focus will be building small towers and knocking them down again and again.
Our Favorite Blocks for Babies and Toddlers:
Haba Baby's First Blocks The bright colors of this 12 cube set will capture a baby's attention and encourage them to explore. The perfect size for little hands! Place them in a basket on a low shelf for an invitation to play.
Classic Wooden Alphabet Blocks with Wagon Handcrafted in the United States, these heirloom-quality blocks will last for years and years. As your child grows they will begin to recognize the animals and letters on the blocks and eventually be able to spell simple words. The wagon is a great storage solution and toddlers will enjoy putting the blocks in and taking them out again.
Branching Out: Building Blocks for Ages 3 to 5 Years
Preschoolers can use blocks in an endless number of ways. Their imaginations turn these simple pieces of wood into houses, roads, castles and more. Larger block sets help them expand on this creative play and broaden their building horizons.
Our Favorite Blocks for Preschoolers:
Haba Basic Building Blocks Small Starter Set are made in Europe from sustainably harvested beech-wood. With the addition of cylinders, triangles and arches your child's building skills will grow, and because these are standard unit blocks they will also integrate seamlessly with other Haba block sets when it's time to expand your collection.
Tegu Magnetic Blocks inspire endless imagination for children and adults of all ages. The magnets embedded inside of the wooden blocks help towers and buildings stay together until they're ready to be put away. Tegu magnetic wooden blocks come in different sizes including travel-sized Pocket Pouch sets that are perfect for car rides.
Building Blocks for Little Engineers: Ages 6+
Builds become bigger and more elaborate as children master the concepts of balance and symmetry. School-aged children may be interested in building small worlds for their figures to explore or more technical ball and marble runs, so tailoring your selection to your child's interests will be the key to deciding which blocks are best.
Our Favorite Blocks for Big Kids:
Wooden Tree Branch Eco Blocks and Wooden Tree Branch Blocks are classic Waldorf toys. The natural shapes and textures inspire children to get creative with their building. Perfect for creating an elaborate fairy cottage or towering gnome treehouse!
Grimm's Color Chart Rally building blocks set are a great option for children interested in engineering their own ball runs and other creative builds. Stack them up like dominos or create an elaborate track for a marble to roll along. This vibrant set pairs perfectly with other Grimm's Wooden Toy sets and the unmatched quality will last for generations.
