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View Full Version : Is a 1yo too young for blocks



ljackson
06-12-2010, 10:57 PM
I am considering getting DS the M&D unit blocks http://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-503-Standard-Blocks/dp/B00008W72D for his first birthday but am wondering if I would be better off waiting until he is older. Do 1 year olds play much with them? We have a set of blocks similar to these http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=parents+basic+blocks&cid=8011916466279155509&ei=IUgUTJPFEcHIlAeCx_y-CA&sa=title&ved=0CAcQ8wIwADgA#p except that we just have 10 cubes and no other shapes. DS likes to try to stack them but they are a bit bumpy and fall over easily. Are the M&D ones a safe size for little ones who mouth everything? (They are sold as being for age 3 and up.)

Would I be better off just going with Fisher Price Little People or something similar that is meant for his age group?

ETA gah - I can't go back and add a question mark to the title :(

happymom
06-12-2010, 11:02 PM
I am considering getting DS the M&D unit blocks http://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-503-Standard-Blocks/dp/B00008W72D for his first birthday but am wondering if I would be better off waiting until he is older. Do 1 year olds play much with them? We have a set of blocks similar to these http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=parents+basic+blocks&cid=8011916466279155509&ei=IUgUTJPFEcHIlAeCx_y-CA&sa=title&ved=0CAcQ8wIwADgA#p except that we just have 10 cubes and no other shapes. DS likes to try to stack them but they are a bit bumpy and fall over easily. Are the M&D ones a safe size for little ones who mouth everything? (They are sold as being for age 3 and up.)

Would I be better off just going with Fisher Price Little People or something similar that is meant for his age group?

ETA gah - I can't go back and add a question mark to the title :(


My DD loves Megablocks and has loved them since she was a year old. She plays with them all the time. That may be a better choice for your DS at this age. I never tried unit blocks though, so I really dont know.

Btw, I think you can edit the title if you click "go advanced."

vonfirmath
06-12-2010, 11:41 PM
I would not buy wooden blocks for a child that age because of the risk to other items in the house when thrown.

Also, my almost-3 year old plays with Duplos, etc. But has not gotten into playing with his just wood blocks yet. (He got a M&D Wooden Train for Christmas when he was 1 years old -- so about 16 months. And played with it constantly ever since)

Katigre
06-12-2010, 11:42 PM
We have the Unit Blocks and they are quite large - very safe for a 1 year old :). While I doubt they would use them much at that age, they are a toy they can grow into and can definitely do simple stacking with them. I'd get them over Megablocks anyday!

Smillow
06-13-2010, 12:28 AM
We have the Target/Parents blocks (they are $20 in Target stores) - gave them to DS when he was 10 months @ Christmas - he hasn't gotten too into them, but he was throwing things alot then & was glad I gave him those over wooden blocks. We now have wooden blocks, too (he's now 15 months). I like playing with the Target/Parents blocks:o

ett
06-13-2010, 12:37 AM
DS2 has been playing with our unit blocks since he was before 1. They definitely got more play than our duplos at that age since he couldn't connect the duplos. That said, he never tried to throw them. If he did, I would have taken them away immediately. A better first choice would be a set of wooden alphabet blocks as they would be easier to stack than unit blocks because they're all the same size. The Uncle Goose blocks are very nice.
http://www.lindenwoodinc.com/UNCLEGOOSE/index.html

I would get the alphabet blocks before the unit blocks.

hillview
06-13-2010, 09:48 AM
DS2 has been playing with our unit blocks since he was before 1. They definitely got more play than our duplos at that age since he couldn't connect the duplos. That said, he never tried to throw them. If he did, I would have taken them away immediately. A better first choice would be a set of wooden alphabet blocks as they would be easier to stack than unit blocks because they're all the same size. The Uncle Goose blocks are very nice.
http://www.lindenwoodinc.com/UNCLEGOOSE/index.html

I would get the alphabet blocks before the unit blocks.
:yeahthat:
/hillary

wellyes
06-13-2010, 09:51 AM
I think many kids that age don't have the dexterity / patience for blocks, but it sounds like yours does - I'd definitely make the investment.

Little people are cool too :) but I actually think 1.5-2 is a better age to start with 'pretend play' vs. just goofing off with different shapes.

fivi2
06-13-2010, 09:53 AM
For us, the cardboard brick blocks (like these, but these aren't the ones we own, ours were from Lillian Vernon on sale : http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/185-2127516-3502116?asin=B0009KJ1LA&AFID=Froogle_df&LNM=|B0009KJ1LA&CPNG=toys&ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001)

got the most play early on, and still (age 4.5) get a lot of play.

Duplos and unit blocks started being popular around the same time here (between 2 and 3).

I also like pps suggestion of the wooden alphabet blocks.

Seitvonzu
06-13-2010, 12:30 PM
oh blocks!

"unit" sized blocks might be the only type of blocks we don't have around here.

we have 2 sets of cube blocks (uncle goose "bugs" (so cute!!!) and plain natural ones in a cart from toys r us "natural toy" line), a set of those parents architecture blocks (i waited until they were on clearance even though i wanted to buy them forever-- *I* love them!), 40 cherry stick blocks (http://www.palumba.com/product/147/), imagiplay animal shape blocks, and a 40piece set of those BIG melissa and doug blocks.

we also have duplos-- a couple sets.

my 2.5 year old plays with these all, but not constantly. i have some other smaller blocks in reserve, and some "grooved" blocks also from uncle goose (i got these 75% off at barnes and noble after christmas). i figure blocks just get more and more fun, right? she also loves the duplos-- but we're not building the taj mahal or anything yet.


the one issue with the unit blocks is even though they are "safe" (size wise) if they are too heavy, they might not encourage tons of play. i didn't think about this too much until i swapped out of heavy play kitchen accessories (wood/enameled metal/etc) for lighter plastic before a playdate. my child is SO MUCH more into the kitchen now..... i love wood, but i can't deny that lucy likes things she can handle easily. so that's something to consider.

schrocat
06-13-2010, 03:36 PM
My 19 month old has been playing with unit blocks since before he turned one. No issues there.

Jenn27
06-13-2010, 07:53 PM
We did Uncle Goose alphabet blocks at 1 year and unit blocks at 15 months. At 19 months now, they both get played with but I anticipate more play in the next year or so. She also recieved Megablocks at 1 year (gift) and they get no play.

ljackson
06-13-2010, 11:02 PM
Thanks so much for all the responses. A set of alphabet blocks is a great idea (DS is a bit of a thrower, so larger unit blocks might not be a good idea just yet) and I love the Uncle Goose ones. We'll probably go with those.