Blocks are an excellent open-ended toy and one that every kid needs in their toy collection. They are kid-powered instead of battery-powered and provide hours of enjoyment for kids of all ages. Kids begin by stacking several blocks and, over time, learn to build elaborate structures with imaginative stories.
There are many excellent sets of blocks for kids, and we’re excited to share 14 of our favorites.
- Looking for other great toys for little ones? Check out all our favorite cause-and-effect toys!
In this post:
- Why Blocks are so Great for Kids
- Best Magnetic Tiles
- Best Wooden Block Sets
- Best Building Planks
- Best Rainbow Stackers
- Best Plastic Blocks
- Best Oversize Blocks
- Safety
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Why Blocks Are so Great for Kids
Blocks are open-ended. They can be used in many different ways by many different kids. This allows kids to decide what to make and engages them for long periods. Kids will surprise you by using blocks for so much more than just building. Blocks can become play food, a phone, or hidden treasure all in one afternoon.
Blocks teach math and science concepts like shape recognition, sorting, size comparison, spatial reasoning, proportionality, estimation, balance, and weight. Kids learn about gravity and begin to form and test hypotheses. Kids practice counting and can learn one-to-one correspondence.
Blocks promote deep play, and this is how kids learn. When kids play, they develop skills that make them great learners, like curiosity, critical thinking, and a willingness to take on challenges. Learning through play is self-initiated and builds focus, determination, and creativity. This is much more profound learning than simply sitting and memorizing information.
Block play builds perseverance and problem-solving skills. When a tower falls down, kids can try again. They can think about what went wrong and plan what to do differently. There is room for failure when playing, and kids are taught that mistakes are excellent learning opportunities. Kids build self-confidence and take pride in their hard-earned accomplishments. They learn to value to process and not just the final product.
Blocks help build language skills as kids talk about the things they have made and create stories and pretend worlds. We have seen many a preschooler quietly talking way to themself while building with blocks. Kids also talk to each other when building together.
Block play develops fine motor skills and dexterity in hands, wrists, and fingers as kids manipulate blocks.
- Protip: add some toy animals to help extend block play.
Our Favorite Blocks for Kids
Here are some of our favorite sets of blocks for kids that we have used in home and classroom settings. We have observed hours of block play and are here to tell you what we love about each of these sets.
You will notice that all of these sets are pretty simple. This leaves lots of room for kids to create and actively involves them in play. Kids are pretty fantastic at coming up with ways to use blocks even without fancy pieces that look like one thing or another.
Best Magnetic Tiles
Magnetic tiles are a toy that kids will genuinely play with for years. Toddlers can begin lining up the pieces and stacking them. As kids grow, they learn to build more complex structures as they discover new ways to use the pieces together. Kids love to see how tall they can build before the tower topples over. They become quite the little engineers.
1. Magna-Tiles Clear Colors Set
Number of Pieces: 100
We have this set and love it! These tiles have magnets along all the edges that allow for the building of structures. The set includes big and little squares and three different sizes of triangles.
Having 100 tiles provided enough pieces for building but not so many that kids have trouble picking them all up. We recommend keeping the tiles in an easily accessible basket or bin for kids to pull out when ready to play.
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2. PicassoTiles Magnetic Blocks
Number of Pieces: 48
This fun set comes with glitter and pastel colors making it an excellent alternative to many other magnetic tiles. The pieces consist of small squares and three different sizes of triangles. The magnets in these tiles are strong enough for tower building but not strong enough to hurt tiny fingers.
We recommend buying two sets to have enough pieces to build with.
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Best Wooden Block for Kids
Wooden blocks are an enduring classic. Far from being outdated, their simplicity makes them such a stellar toy. Kids love them and can play with them for hours. We recommend playing with wooden blocks on a rug or play mat. This will minimize noise and dents to wooden floors as they tumble.
1. Melissa & Doug Standard Unit Solid-Wood Building Blocks
Number of Pieces: 60
We love this set of solid wooden blocks and recommend it for kids ages 1 to 8. The pieces are so simple and provide hours of enjoyment. We have seen kids build some truly grand towers using all 60 pieces.
The set consists of rectangles, squares, cylinders, triangles, half-circles, quarter circles, and arch pieces. Each piece is nicely sanded and has rounded edges, making them safe for kids.
It can be a bit of a puzzle to get the blocks to fit back in the included storage tray in an organized fashion but simply piling them in works as well.
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2. HABA Basic Building Blocks Extra Large Wooden Starter Set
Number of Pieces: 102
This beautiful set of wooden blocks adds some interesting open-ended shapes to a classic toy. It is great for kids ages 1 to 8. The various shapes give kids some additional building and balancing options that make for exciting structures. While the individual pieces are on the small side, the quantity of pieces allows for lots of construction.
This high-quality set is made of untreated beechwood, and all the pieces are big enough to keep babies from swallowing them.
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Best Building Planks
1. Brain Blox Wooden Building Blocks for Kids
Number of Pieces: 100, 200, or 300 piece set.
This set consists of wooden planks that are 4.75 inches long and .95 inches wide. They are an excellent STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) building toy for kids as they grow older. Kids can balance the planks to create all sorts of impressive structures. Through trial and error, kids learn to build more complicated things. They take a lot of pride in their creations.
The pieces are made out of solid New Zealand pine wood and are non-toxic for kids. A drawstring backpack is included for storage and transporting the planks.
Check prices for Brain Blox Wooden Building Blocks
Rainbow Stackers
Rainbow stackers don’t always look like much to adults, but kids use the pieces in all sorts of creative ways. Kids are often much more creative than we are. Pieces can be moved, balanced, and stacked. We have seen a wooden rainbow become a beautiful design or a pen for animals more than a time or two.
If a wooden rainbow is new or your kids don’t seem to do much with it, you can set up an invitation to play by placing the pieces out with an animal under each arch. Make sure to put it in a prominent place in your play space where your kids will see it. Please step back and observe what they do with it.
1. WOOD CITY Natural Wooden Rainbow Stacker
Number of Pieces: 12
This wooden rainbow adds beauty to any play playroom and is recommended for kids ages 2 to 5. It is made of pine and coated with a water-based, non-toxic stain that leaves the wood grains visible. It is made to be extra durable and stand up to hours of play.
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2. BLUE GINKGO Silicone Rainbow Stacker Puzzle
Number of Pieces: 10
This stacking rainbow packs all the tremendous open-ended qualities of a wooden rainbow at a more affordable cost. It is made from food-grade silicone making it a safe teething toy. The pieces are BPA-free and even dishwasher safe. This makes them a breeze to clean.
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3. MerryHeart Wooden Rainbow Stacker
Number of Pieces: 12
This wooden rainbow stacker comes in pastel colors and is an excellent alternative to a traditional rainbow. The pieces can combine with rainbow building boards for more building options. The parts are solid wood and covered in a non-toxic stain.
Sometimes some of the pieces can be rough and have a bit of an unfinished look. But we haven’t experienced them causing any splinters. It is recommended for kids 3 and up.
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Best Plastic Blocks for Kids
1. Agirlgle Building Blocks Stacking Toys for Kids
Number of Pieces: 15
This set of blocks offers a unique way of building. We have this set of blocks in a classroom and observe kids playing with the pieces. Kids slowly discover how all the different pieces can fit together and begin to make more complex structures by nesting them in different ways. We have seen the pieces hold up to years of use.
We recommend buying at least two sets to provide kids with more pieces to build with.
Note: the small white pieces are not suitable for babies and young kids.
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2. Large Classic Building Bricks for Kids
Number of Pieces: 101
We love this size of building bricks. Young kids can stack them, but they are still small enough to interest kids as they get older. Consider buying a basic set like this instead of a detailed scene. While a themed set can be cute, it doesn’t offer much for kids to do with it. Kids can do much more when given lots of pieces to build with.
This set includes rectangular and square pieces in 5 different colors and a base plate for building. These blocks are compatible with other brands like Duplos, so you can add them to sets you may already have. The blocks have a tight fit but are still easy to take apart.
They’re large enough not to be a choking hazard and are recommended for kids 18 months and up.
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3. LEGO Classic Bricks Set
Number of Pieces: 1,500
1,500 Legos for under $80? Yes, please! Legos are a classic. This set provides pieces in vibrant colors and includes wheels, windows, doors, and eyes but isn’t a specific set. Instead, kids can build whatever they would like. There are enough pieces to make some super fun contraptions. Add a baseplate or two for more building possibilities.
Due to small pieces, this set is recommended for ages 4 and up.
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Best Oversize Blocks for Kids
1. ECR4Kids-Oversized Hollow Wooden Block Set for Kids’ Play
Number of Pieces: 18
This is a fantastic oversize set of blocks. The hollow design makes them extra light for kids to move even while large. The pieces come in 5 different shapes and sizes, providing lots of options for stacking and building. The hollow spaces lend themselves to all sorts of imaginative play. We have seen them become houses, parking garages, animal pens, kitchen appliances, and so much more.
Due to their large size, 18 blocks tend to be more than enough for building. We recommend storing them on a low shelf to make it safe and easy for kids to pull them out.
The blocks are made of hardwood and coated in a clear finish. They are sanded smooth and have rounded edges to make them safe for kids to play with.
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2. Mega Bloks First Builders Big Building Blocks with Bag
Number of Pieces: 80
Mega Bloks are an excellent first set of interlocking blocks for babies and toddlers, but preschools still love to create with them as well. The large pieces are easy for kids to begin stacking and building towers. The blocks are also easy to separate when cleaning up and come with a bag for storage.
Mega Bloks now also makes a more sustainable set out of plant-based plastic.
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3. Bankers Box at Play Cardboard Building Blocks
Number of Pieces: 40
We have used this set of blocks in a classroom and seen the hours of enjoyment they can bring to kids. This set of cardboard blocks is extra giant yet lightweight and easy to move. Kids love to build large structures with them, and they are fun to knock down. Because they’re lightweight, they don’t cause any damage when they fall. The set consists of rectangular and square pieces in red, yellow, and blue.
Surprisingly, they’re strong enough to hold up to 150 pounds making them extra durable. Kids can balance and walk on them to their hearts’ content. The blocks require assembly, but it is extra simple.
They can be stored in a large basket or stacked against a wall.
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Safety
First, some of the kid’s blocks on this list contain small pieces that pose a choking hazard. If in doubt, use an object choking tube tester. Any item that fits entirely in the tube could be swallowed and is a choking hazard. Pieces of this size are not recommended for kids under the age of 3 or kids who place things in their mouths.
NOTE: small balls that do not fit in the choking tube but are under 2 inches in diameter can still be a choking hazard. While balls of this size cannot fit into the airway, they can block it.
Next, you can periodically clean blocks and check for broken or sharp pieces. Spot clean wooden blocks with mild soap and water solutions. Clean plastic blocks by placing them in a mesh bag on the top rack of the dishwasher. Wipe down magnet tiles and other hollow plastic blocks. Discard broken pieces or sand down edges when possible.
Final Thoughts on Blocks for Kids
Blocks are a must-have toy that will provide hours of enjoyment and endless learning opportunities for your kids. They are well worth the investment and can replace active battery-powered toys. Consider doing a toy declutter to make room for a great set of blocks for kids. Give kids time to play and see all of the fantastic skills that they develop and how they refine their building with time.
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