“By building with physical objects, children will learn spatial skills such as ‘on top,’ ‘under,’ and ’next to.’ They will learn to problem solve how things fit together,” Heather Shafi, MD, a New Jersey-based pediatrician, says. When it comes to choosing the right blocks for a child, age can be the deciding factor, but you also want them to be durable so they last longer. We carefully considered age recommendations, design, material, toy safety, and value when reviewing products. Here are the best construction and building block toys for your family. Price at time of publication: $76 Age Recommendation: 3 years old+ | Number of Pieces: 110; Sets vary | Materials: Plastic Price at time of publication: $45 Age Recommendation: 18 months old+ | Number of Pieces: 17 pieces; sets vary | Materials: Foam The joy of LEGO is that it keeps kids of all ages busy for years to come. This open-ended set is a wonderful way to encourage creativity without kids needing to build the blocks a certain way to comply with LEGO set instructions. Of course, these bricks are all compatible with other LEGO sets. Price at time of publication: $60 Age Recommendation: 4 years old+ | Number of Pieces: 790; Sets vary | Materials: Plastic The oversized blocks are safe for young kids; they’re made to be oversized so you won’t accidentally step on them and they can’t fit in a child’s mouth. Price at time of publication: $25 Age Recommendation: 12 months old+ | Number of Pieces: 80 | Materials: Plastic The set packs into a cardboard box with a plastic handle. The only complaint among families is that while they do fit, the cardboard may not hold up forever, so a long-term storage alternative is helpful. Price at time of publication: $28 Age Recommendation: 3 years old+ | Number of Pieces: 100 | Materials: Wood Along with the blocks, the set includes an idea guide booklet to spark imagination and challenge kids to create. PLUS PLUS blocks combine with other sets and baseboards to make bigger and bolder builds. Price at time of publication: $17 Age Recommendation: 5 years old+ | Number of Pieces: 240; sets vary | Materials: Plastic Price at time of publication: $47 Age Recommendation: 3 years old+ | Number of Pieces: 70 | Materials: Plastic Made with a bristle shape, the blocks are easy to connect and disconnect. Picasso Tiles stay connected when other blocks relying just on balance wouldn’t hold. With a wide range of colors and block shapes, this STEM toy will promote creative thinking, hand-eye coordination, and problem-solving skills. Price at time of publication: $48 Age Recommendation: 3 years old+ | Number of Pieces: 120 | Materials: Plastic Besides being fun, these minimalistic blocks look attractive stacked on a coffee table or desk. Price at time of publication: $30 Age Recommendation: 3 years old+ | Number of Pieces: 21 | Materials: Beech wood Price at time of publication: $310 Age Recommendation: 1 year old+ | Number of Piecess: 104 | Materials: Maple wood Price at time of publication: $56 Age Recommendation: 3 years old+ | Number of Pieces: 136 | Materials: Wood and plastic The rod-and-ball design also makes them great for practicing shapes in three dimensions. But due to the size, they do pose a choking hazard. Price at time of publication: $50 Age Recommendation: 3 years old+ | Number of Pieces: 300 | Materials: Alloy steel Price at time of publication: $77 Age Recommendation: 18 months old+ | Number of Pieces: 65 | Materials: Plastic Talk with your doctor about milestones for your child and then choose blocks (and other toys) that can help develop or advance their skills. Playing with building blocks can teach kids cause and effect and strengthen gross motor, dexterity, and fine motor skills and enhance sensory play abilities. For younger toddlers and babies, large blocks that are lightweight will allow them to explore stacking, carrying, and creating. Older, school-aged kids would likely enjoy smaller blocks with detailed designs that allow them to bring their imagination to life. Not only are blocks fun, but according to Dr. Shafi, they have long-term benefits like “building hand strength that will help them with learning to write one day.” Just remember, “using only screen games for building can hinder their dexterity,” she adds.
Durability
Select blocks that are safe and long-lasting. They should be easy to clean, since younger kids may still put some blocks in their mouths. Many plastic blocks are dishwasher-safe and others can be wiped down with baby wipes or washed with a gentle cleanser. When thinking about durability, also consider the age of the child that will be playing with the blocks. Older kids may be able to manage the toys and keep them in tip-top shape versus a toddler who might be rougher with blocks.
Entertainment Value
Like the rest of their toys, blocks that are fun will get played with, which will only benefit your child. Again, age comes into play when considering the entertainment value. Younger kids may find tiny LEGO-style blocks to be too difficult to use and get bored with them. On the other hand, school-aged kids may not find jumbo blocks to be really fun or entertaining. According to Dr. Shafi “by building with physical objects, children will learn spatial skills such as ‘on top,’ ‘under,’ and ’next to.’ They will learn to problem solve how things fit together."
Why Trust Verywell Family
Maya Polton is a former marketing manager and current freelance writer who covers food, home, and parenting. She’s also the mom of a 10-year-old son, a 7-year-old son, and a 3-year old daughter. She appreciates blocks that come with an easy storage solution. While her crew loves to play with blocks, they don’t always love cleaning up blocks, so any way to make that process easier is a bonus in her book.
More Toys for Kids
When it comes to toys for kids, our team has you covered. The Verywell Family team of editors (who are parents or have nieces and nephews of their own) have tested, gifted, and personally recommend every item we feature. Find more of our top toy picks for every developmental stage and personality phase here:
The Best Christmas Gifts for Kids The Best Developmental Toys for Babies The Best Tummy Time Toys The Best Active Toys for Toddlers The Best Outdoor Toys for Toddlers The Best Toys for Toddlers The Best Educational Toys for Toddlers The Best Phonics Toys for Preschoolers The Best Toys for Learning Letters and Numbers The Best Musical Toys for Children of All Ages The Best Montessori Toys to Encourage Thoughtful Play The Best Sesame Street Toys The Best Outdoor Toys for Kids of All Ages The Best Dinosaur Toys The Best Toys for Fine Motor Skills Development The Best Toys for Independent Play The Best Indoor Toys and Games for Active Play The Best Snow Toys for Kids The Best STEM Toys for Kids Best Laptop Toys for Kids The Best Social Emotional Learning Toys The Best Robot Toys The Best Ride-On Toys The Best Cleaning Toy Sets The Black-Owned Gift Guide
