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7 Best Toddler Blocks to Inspire Creative Play (2024 Reviews)

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Integrating blocks into your toddler’s play area is not only fun for them, but also provides them with a myriad of fine and gross motor skill opportunities. Toddler blocks are open-ended toys that encourage little ones to use their creativity and ingenuity. There are an infinite number of ways to use toddler blocks, from building towers with wooden blocks to making words with alphabet blocks.

With so many different types of blocks available, you can mix and match various sets and always provide a new way for your child to interact with them. This selection of blocks will support your little one’s problem-solving capabilities and continue to be of interest as they grow older.

The Best Toddler Blocks

  • 1. Melissa and Doug Wooden Building Blocks Set

    (Best solid wood option — $)

    Why it’s great: With 100 different blocks in nine shapes and four different colors, the Melissa and Doug Wooden Building Blocks Set provides hours of entertainment for your toddler. Although made in solid wood, these toddler blocks are lightweight with rounded edges and a smooth painted finish which is ideal for little hands. Playing with wooden blocks can help support early math concepts as well as develop strong motor skills.

    Keep in mind: The wooden blocks may have a scent when first taking them out of the package. The smell should dissipate over time.

    Good for: Parents looking for a solid wood block opinion for their toddlers.

    wooden block

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  • 2. Migargle Large Wooden Building Blocks Set

    (Best oversized set — $$)

    Why it’s great: The Migargle Large Wooden Building Blocks Set has 32 oversized blocks that are perfect for toddlers developing their fine and large motor skills. The seven different colors and eight shapes can help encourage a variety of skills in your little one. You can rest easy knowing the blocks are made with high-quality wood and non-toxic paint, free of BPA and phthalates.

    Keep in mind: The blocks are made of durable materials, but occasionally a hairline fracture may occur in the paint.

    Good for: Toddlers still developing fine motor skills and prefer handling larger blocks.

    wooden home

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  • 3. Playlearn Foam Brick Building Blocks for Kids

    (Best real-life application — $$$)

    Why it’s great: Made of lightweight foam, these Playlearn Foam Brick Building Blocks for Kids allow your child to build and experiment with architecture and engineering. These blocks encourage your little one to brainstorm and plan when constructing various real-life objects, from a bench, to a wall, to a full house! This STEM toy has rounded edges and a soft touch so it’s perfect for even the littlest of builders, plus the storage bag makes it easy to travel and store these toddler blocks.

    Keep in mind: The bricks are made of EVA foam and cannot be used in or near water, thus making them solely an indoor toy.

    Good for: Parents who want to foster real-life skills during playtime.

    brick block

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  • 4. SainSmart Jr. Wooden ABC Blocks

    (Best for letter and number recognition — $$)

    Why it’s great: These large blocks with rounded edges are carved and painted with capital letters, numbers, and mathematical symbols. SainSmart Jr. Wooden ABC Blocks are made from imported pine wood from Australia and stained with non-toxic water-based paint, making them 100% safe for kids to play with. These blocks can help small hands learn to grasp, support, organize, stack, and build.

    Keep in mind: These blocks do not have many duplicates of letters, so it may be difficult building longer words with multiple vowels if intending to use these blocks for spelling practice.

    Good for: Building toddlers’ number and letter recognition.

    alphabet block

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  • 5. Migargle Wooden Building Blocks Set

    (Best city-scape blocks — $$)

    Why it’s great: Made from high-quality wood as well as BPA-free and stained with nontoxic paint makes the Migargle Wooden Building Blocks Set perfect for toddlers who may still be mouthing toys. The various buildings will help your toddlers build connections between play and the real-life environment around them, such as police stations, hotels, and hospitals. The labels on the various buildings can help your little one begin to recognize key vocabulary.

    Keep in mind: Unlike the wooden blocks, the puzzle piece playmat is more like cardboard and may not have the longevity of the blocks themselves.

    Good for: Toddlers who want blocks specifically designed for building settings.

    home block

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  • 6. Giant Non-Toxic Foam Building Blocks

    (Best bath time option — $$)

    Why it’s great: This giant set of 50 foam blocks allows your child to explore making life-like structures. The Giant Non-Toxic Foam Building Blocks are nontoxic and soft for tiny hands. These blocks are waterproof which makes it easy to wash these toys clean. These toddler blocks can be fully submerged in water, making them a great addition to bath time or outdoor water play.

    Keep in mind: Due to the soft foam material, supervise these toddler blocks when near little children, infants, or dogs as chunks of foam can come off when chewed and become a choking hazard.

    Good for: Toddlers who want blocks they can use for water play.

    block tant

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  • 7. iPlay, iLearn Wooden Building Blocks Set

    (Best natural wood — $$)

    Why it’s great: The iPlay, iLearn Wooden Building Blocks Set comes with its own carrying case, making it easy to bring this open-ended toy with you anywhere. With 13 shapes included, these toddler blocks made from finely polished natural beech wood have endless possibilities as to what structures your little one can build. Highly durable, these toddler blocks can be used both indoors and outdoors and can withstand daily use.

    Keep in mind: These blocks are on the smaller side, so be sure to supervise if they are being used by young children.

    Good for: Parents who prefer their toddlers play with natural wooden toys.

    block taj

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Best Overall

Melissa and Doug Wooden Building Blocks Set

The Melissa and Doug Wooden Building Blocks Set is our overall top recommendation. It's the highest quality product we have found with the most affordable price making it the best value on our list..

wooden block

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FAQs about Toddler Blocks

  • 1. Which style block is best for my toddler?

    Different styles of blocks will have different learning opportunities for your little ones. However, the skills and strategies needed to utilize blocks are usually the same. For younger toddlers, a soft, foam-type block may be best as it provides soft corners and edges should the blocks fall on them. Older toddlers may find wooden blocks easier to build with and thus might prefer an option that has more weight to it.

  • 2. Why are blocks a good toy for toddlers?

    Playing with blocks can enhance your little one’s fine motor skills. It allows them to experiment with cause and effect, such as how tall a block tower can be before it falls. It can even introduce early math and geometry skills, as well as provide a basis for problem-solving and independent learning.

  • 3. How do I care for toddler blocks?

    Most toddler blocks can be sanitized with a gentle cleaning spray and wiped clean with a microfiber cloth. Be sure to follow the care instructions on the particular brand and style of blocks you choose. Be sure not to submerge your toddler blocks unless stated otherwise, either foam or wood, in water for too long as they may warp or hold onto water.

  • 4. At what age can my toddler use blocks?

    Your toddler can use blocks as early as infancy, provided you offer a safe, supervised area to interact with blocks. Younger children should use soft, lightweight blocks to avoid any heavy objects falling on them. Older toddlers are more capable of handling heavier blocks, such as those of solid wood. Older children might also enjoy building blocks with a variety and shapes and sizes, including those with letters and numbers to build their literacy and numerical knowledge.

  • 5. What material block is best for toddlers?

    When looking to purchase a set of blocks for your toddler, opt for a non-toxic material that can easily be cleaned and sanitized. Solid wooden blocks with nontoxic paint are an excellent choice, as well as nontoxic foam blocks that are free from harmful ingredients and treatments.

Conclusion

With so many toddler block options to choose from, you can’t go wrong mixing and matching different block sets to further enhance your tot’s playtime experience. As an open-ended toy, there are an infinite number of ways to play and learn with blocks, allowing these to grow along with your child for years to come. This selection of toddler blocks offers options in a range of styles and price ranges, and can easily be combined to create new and exciting building opportunities. Easy to clean and store, these toddler blocks are a must-have in all play spaces.