Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Activities

NewFolks may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

From infants to school-age kids, here are the best building blocks

Dawn Miller
By

Building blocks should be a childhood staple. Blocks are fun at any age, but they are also an essential component of early childhood development at home and in the classroom. Building blocks are vital in helping children to hone their fine and gross motor skills while stimulating imagination and creativity. In addition, blocks nurture problem-solving skills and self-esteem. So what’s not to love about them? Absolutely nothing, and incorporating them into your child’s playthings is a snap. Building blocks are available for all age groups from infants to school-age children. Even tweens and teens get into crafting those larger Lego items. Which building blocks are the best for kids? We’ve got the top picks for building blocks for all ages.

Infants

IQ Baby Knock-Knock Blocks are ideal for babies starting from infancy. These colorful, soft blocks are washable. Some make crinkle sounds or rattle. The Knock-Knock Blocks will stimulate your little one, are easy to handle, and make a perfect first block set.

6 months

B. Toys One Two Squeeze Baby Blocks are a great addition to a budding-block collection. These BPA-free soft blocks sport bright colors along with alphabet and number designs. The set of 10 is stackable, and yes, chewable, as well as washable. They come with a convenient storage bag, too.

Related

1 year

The cloth and BPA-free blocks will still be going strong on baby’s first birthday, but add the Mega Bloks Big Building Bag to the gift list. This easy-to-handle set includes 80 blocks that fit together to make your toddler’s first creations. Mega Bloks fit together without fuss and are made for little hands.

2 years

You probably had those traditional ABC and 123 building blocks growing up. Well, so should your little guy or gal. This classic toy has never gone out of style and is a great set to bring into the mix around age 2. Uncle Goose Classic ABC Blocks are handmade in the United States from basewood and are nontoxic, which is good to know since most 2-year-olds still put a lot of toys in their mouth. The set of 28 blocks is stackable and a perfect fit for developing hands.

3 years

Your toddler has now crossed into the preschool-age bracket. While his or her early blocks are still useful, your preschooler is ready for more of a challenge. Oh, the things those little hands will create with Fat Brain Toys 100-Piece Wooden Block Set. This is another classic set that has stood the test of time on the playroom and classroom floor. It’s well-made and will last for years to come.

4 years

A preschool classroom staple is a set of large wooden building blocks. While your home may not have the storage space for a typical multiple-block, school-size set, Melissa & Doug’s Standard Unit Blocks set is a good fit for the house. The set includes 50 hardwood blocks, and it’s just right for creative 4-year-olds and can work in conjunction with other child building blocks.

5 years

As your preschooler transitions into kindergarten, the Melissa & Doug’s Standard Unit Blocks set is still a keeper, but now is a good time to introduce Lego building blocks. Instead of a kit to build a specific plane or car, start out with a Lego Classic Creative Brick Box Building Kit. With 790 pieces, this set will really bring out the imagination and creativity. It comes complete with a convenient storage box.

6 and beyond

Just because your child is entering elementary school doesn’t mean the blocks should be packed up for storage or donations. Blocks, from the introductory wooden to more complex sets, get a lot of mileage in the playroom. As kids move through primary to elementary grades, you will notice blocks are still getting a lot of attention while other toys collect dust. Lego sets become particularly interesting from age 6 and beyond, especially those focusing on a favorite genre like superheroes or Disney. Blocks and construction sets in general are excellent STEM toys. Other awesome building blocks for older kids include a KEVA Planks set, which is designed to teach kids the basics of physics and engineering concepts.

When it comes to kids and building blocks, you simply cannot go wrong. Blocks are an ideal STEM toy because building blocks stimulate crucial cognitive development as well as introduce math and engineering principles. Large and small building blocks are also an essential component in working those important fine and gross motor skills. The benefits of block play are numerous, including developing problem-solving and sharing skills. Just like in the classroom at school, you will find building blocks at home get a lot of use and are one of the last toys for kids to outgrow.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Dawn Miller
Dawn Miller
Contributor
Dawn Miller began her professional life as an elementary school teacher before returning to her first love, writing. In…
Bring imagination back into your kid’s playroom with these ingenious DIY ideas
These DIY kid's playroom ideas are super easy to achieve and great for boosting imagination
Montessori shelf playroom

The kid’s playroom should be a space not just for fun and letting off some of a child’s youthful energy, but also an educational hub that encourages imagination. As you curate a space for your child to play and grow, you’ll want to include unique activities to help them express themselves. So, we’re giving you some incredible DIY playroom ideas that not only make the space look nice but add more room for imaginative play and learning.

Add a chalkboard wall
A chalkboard wall is a classic playroom addition, functioning as both a teaching opportunity and an art station. Not to mention; it also curbs that desire to draw on the walls!

Read more
Family fun: Your kids will love these springtime activities
Get ready to rock spring with these family fun activities
Family out for a bike ride in the woods

Spring is in full swing, but just because the school breaks are over doesn't mean the family fun has to stop. Weekends in April and May are earmarked for family fun activities. Sure, Mother Nature does tend to rain on the parade sometimes, especially in April. Don't worry. That's why there's not a shortage of cool indoor and outdoor activities to get the family together and enjoy one another this season, regardless of the weather.
Family fun indoor activities
When those April showers hit, don't waste a weekend on the couch. There are always indoor family fun activities that are a great way to spend quality time together. Looking for spring places to enjoy? Try these.
Public library
Libraries aren't extinct and chances are your local library has a lot going on, especially during spring. A rainy day is a perfect pick to head to the library and see what programs are available. From crafts to family yoga and STEAM activities, public libraries are full of fun things to do for all. Even better is the price. The programs are free for library card holders. Don't have a library card? Sign up for one now.
Museums
A rainy spring day is an ideal time to check out one of the local museums in your area. Usually, you don't have to travel far to a historic or art museum. Nearby college campuses are also great places to find museums to explore.
Theater
A Broadway ticket can put a dent in the family budget, but local theaters don't have quite as high ticket prices. If you are looking for something different this spring, try checking out a local family-friendly theater production.

Family fun outdoor activities
When those spring temperatures start heating up and flowers begin to bloom, everyone gets an itch to be outside. Here are some family fun activities to enjoy outdoors this spring.
Bike paths
Bike riding around the neighborhood is always a blast, but spring is a wonderful time to explore an area bike path. Spring temperatures are just right for the kiddos to pedal a longer distance. Look for family-friendly bike paths or trails that aren't too long or hilly if you have younger riders. For tweens and teens, get them out there peddling in nature -- the longer the better. Tweens and teens will be proud of completing a path and will have great pictures to post. Just remember the snacks and plenty of water.
Tulip farm
Tulips are one of those wonders of spring that just make you smile. If you've never visited a tulip farm, make it a point to do it this spring before the petals fade away. Tulip farms are a stunning place to spend a sunny spring Saturday or Sunday. Some even allow visitors to cut their own, which the kiddos will love.
Hit the beach
If you live near the ocean or a lake, you know how crowded these destinations get in the summer. A warm spring day can be a lot of fun on the beach. Pack a lunch and sand toys, and don't forget the sunblock. April and May can be some of the best beach days for making sandcastles and playing with your dog without people getting in the way.
Hiking
Just like bike paths, spring is one of the best times of the year to do hikes. Flowers and trees are starting to bloom again, which makes for beautiful scenery during a family hike. Kids will enjoy a hike more without the higher temperatures and the insects that summer unusually brings.
April showers, May flowers
Spring is a wonderful time of year to plan some family fun activities. Just because breaks are over, and the kiddos are back in school, doesn't mean springtime fun has to stop. There are plenty of fun family indoor and outdoor activities to enjoy this spring, from tiptoeing through the tulips and getting a head start on those sandcastle designs to exploring new museums.

Read more
Your favorite childhood movies will be your kid’s favorite, too
Want to rewatch your beloved childhood movies? Grab your kid and revisit these nostalgic films
A family watches TV on a couch

We all have a soft spot in our hearts for the movies we were raised on. We grew up on those films and they helped shape the adult version of ourselves more than we might want to admit. These are the childhood movies that you have to watch with your little human that will show them the value of family and friendship and that kindness is always the right choice.

Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971)

Read more