ISO Quality wooden block set

[jamsmu]

I was all set to get the set from M&D for DS' 2nd b-day, until I read the review (below)on Amazon. Any suggestions for quality stuff? We have about half the set from when I was little--and they're good, heavy, life-lasting wooden blocks, and DS loves them.

Here's the set: http://www.gummylump.com/front/f_product.php?id=157

And here's the review:

" This is NOT a true standard unit block set!, May 28, 2005
Reviewer: bears and boys - See all my reviews

If you are looking for a budget set, you can't go wrong with this set or any of the M&D products. BTW, I find M&D very good at copying other products from various companies like HABA, Brio etc; maybe that's why they can afford to sell their products are a cheaper price.

The storage box is great for keeping things in place, but don't expect a child to be able to lift over 15 pounds of blocks without hurting himself.

Cheap is the key word. However, if quality is what you are looking for, you will be disapointed. The so called hardwood is rubberwood. The wood and/or the staining smells strange, like moldy smell (we are onto our 3rd exchange and they smell the same). The staining, finish or whatever you call it, is so thin that it comes off readily with a single wipe and you'll have to oil the blocks to keep them smooth again.

Many of the blocks are not true SUBs. Just look at the bigger triangle on the photo of the crate and you'll see what I mean. and the smaller pieces like 1/4 circles are for the sole purpose of increasing the block counts. "

[DebbieJ]

I've seen Barclay Blocks recommended here before, but I don't have a set so I don't know how they measure up.

~ deb
DS born at home 12/03

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/10029.gif

[holliam]

Barclay Blocks are awesome. We have them, and we really love them. We got some of the "seconds" because they were so much cheaper, but I think I like them better because they have more character! They're really only seconds because of slight wood coloring variations.

Holli

[mommyj_2]

We also have the Barclay blocks, and DS loves them (I do too).

[jamsmu]

Any suggestions?

[holliam]

http://www.barclaywoods.com/home.htm

[jamsmu]

Thanks--and they're on sale through tomorrow!!! WAHOO!!

[luvtoshop]

I got the Barclay bug from this board and got them for my girls. Love them! Haven't seen the M&D blocks so can't compare.

Sandra
Mommy to 2 sweet girls!

[geochick]

If I recall correctly, the Barclay blocks will only go up in price between now and Christmas. This is the best time of year to buy.

[heatherlynn]

Anyone know of a place that sells them that accepts paypal?

Thanks!

H-
Heather
dd 3/98
ds 8/04
and #3 edd 11/05 (it's a girl!)

[holliam]

I'm pretty sure you can only buy them directly from the manufacturer. They are a small business from what I remember. But, they are really great to work with so it might not hurt to email and ask if they'd take Paypal.

Holli

[heatherlynn]

Thank you!!

H-
Heather
dd 3/98
ds 8/04
and #3 edd 11/05 (it's a girl!)

[mudder17]

Okay, you've managed to convince me, you temptress, you. ;)

I'm trying to decide between the Walker Book Beginner's Kit and the Version A Beginner's kit. Anyone have any thoughts about them?


Eileen

http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/candle.gif for Leah

http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_gold_12m.gif , 17 months & counting


http://tickers.baby-gaga.com/t/catcatcvi20040222_4_Kaya+is.png

[holliam]

I don't think they had those sets when we got ours last year. I'd have to check my orders, but I know DH got a huge set. It's embarrassing to admit how many he convinced me to buy.

But, we only keep out about the equivalent to one of the baby sets. We're going to give her some at every birthday and Christmas until she is like 18 with as many as he bought...

Holli

[mommyj_2]

>Okay, you've managed to convince me, you temptress, you. ;)

>Eileen

LOL

You might want to email them and see what they recommend. I did, and I ended up buying up a much smaller kit than I would have bought otherwise. The woman who emailed me was really helpful. She said she loves to see parents of toddlers buy small kits that they can add to later. I'm not sure if this is still the case, but when I bought, it cost the same to buy a big kit as it did to start with a smaller one and add to it later (the total shipping and everything was about the same...I'm not sure if this is still the case). I'm pretty sure I bought the Baby kit version B. DS just turned two, and I'm only now thinking it would be nice to get an add on set. Every toddler is different, but he loves the triangles (which we use as slides for his trains and his wood bendies), the tunnel, and then the other blocks for building towers. When we first got them, he liked having me build towers that he would knock down. He also liked rolling the cylinders in his hands.
I don't know if that helps you decide, but I figured I would throw that out there. I was originally going to buy a big set, and am glad I didn't. This way I can just order add on sets (depending on what DS is most interested when his bdays or the holidays come).

[julierobin]

http://www.geniusbabies.com/woodentoys.html

Did you try Genius Baby?

We have some wooden blocks made by Carter's and LOVE THEM! But I can't find them anywhere otherwise I would buy up crates and crates to give as gifts.


Julie with two kids Ben 8/7/03 and Maggie 1/15/05

[NEVE and TRISTAN]

Julie...I am sure some folks have supplied you with some great links to some awesome products...I personally am really turned off with M&D and do not consider them real quality. I bought into many of their things and glad I got them but as far as blocks go I suspect there are tons better. I don't think I have ever seen their blocks though...

But I wanted to share what I have done, since I am block obsessed and have a huge toy room full of wooden toys (MY obsession)...

I have bought every wooden block set I can get my hands on at garage sales, thrift stores etc... I have blocks of every color and every size...different ages and different heights.

sorry pecking one handed now...

but when i first had my collection of a hodge podge of blocks i second guessed my stash often, i would see big pretty matching blocks and they caught my eye. My mid wives had blocks of purple, turquoise and fushia and i thought "oh i should get all matching blocks like that".

NOW I am sooooo happy I have a hodge podge I can say what a thrill I get when T and Karsh (tho seems to be T's thing) build elaborate tunnels/buildings etc... around their trains on the table with these mix matched blocks. T will scurry thru his wagon where they are kept just to find the one that matches a certain one...
I don't know how to post a picture (or to find one on my computer wuthout DH or I'd share)...

not disuading you from buyimg a nice set just trying to encourage mommies to expand their collections if they see a chance to do so cheaply. blocks are my favorite. Just this morning we spent $4.99 on a big box of some at a thrift store that included some boats, wooden screws etc...

can you tell blocks excite me :)....
oh and i don't box mine up they are out in a wagon so little hands can grab freely!!!!!


Neve
Reichen (6), Karsh (3), Tristan (2) and baby girl Bronwyn born March 10th!!!!

[kitmama]

For a nice set of square alphabet blocks, our hands-down favorite so far are the Ryan's Room "Around the Blocks" set. They are very nice quality, fun and attractive.

http://www.kidsurplus.com/sma5512500.html

[Vajrastorm]

We have the Haba wooden blocks. We love them. They are not cheap, in price or quality. We have this set: http://www.maukilo.com/product+haba-1072.html as well as a larger basic set.