Suggestions for building with 2.5 yo DD?

[MamaSnoo]

DD does not do much with building so far, but all we have are some unit blocks. I think she might like Duplos or similar, but I was not sure what would be the best thing to get for her to start out....what sets do you guys have for that age group that we might try?

[fivi2]

I think my girls started getting into duplos about that age. We started with a set (Thomas) not plain bricks.

My girls started with the cardboard brick blocks earlier than 2.5, but still play with them regularly (at 4.5). These have seriously been one of our best toys for years. http://www.amazon.com/Brick-Block-Set-44-pcs/dp/B000WNJQLO we don't have that exact set, that is just an example.

She may play more with unit blocks with accessories - animals, people, cars

We didn't get tinkertoys until older, but my girls like them.

She may just not be into building!

eta: I totally misread your post... you were looking for duplo ideas. We do like sets here - we started with (two) Thomas starter sets and (two) percy at the sheds, and a circus train. We have some sort of princess palace, a police station, various "town" sets with windows and people and other pieces, a couple of wagons with horses... I am sure there are others.

[SnuggleBuggles]

I agree with pp, she just might not be into building no matter what you buy. My ds1 was like this. Ds2 is almost 3 and really started loving blocks just a month ago. We have some Mega Bloks (mixed bag) and a few random character Mega Bloks. Nothing special.

Beth

[hillview]

At almost exactly 2.5 DS1 started working with magnatiles. He liked them better than lego duplos.
/hillary

[MamaSnoo]

Thanks for the replies. I am definitely interested in hearing about specifics sets of Duplos, but also other brands or kinds of sets that people have liked for kids this age.

[WatchingThemGrow]

We got lots of Duplos from a consignment sale - lots - for a lot cheaper than the little boxes in stores. Check there first.

[kristac]

I second the magnatile suggestion. Way more popular then duplos here.

We just have some mixed duplo bins I got at yard sales, etc but the most important pieces we have are the base plates. I have found our duplos got much more play when we added those.

Also agree with pp idea of adding accessories for the unit blocks. Or try intoducing the block into her regular play- like help her build a zoo for her little animals or bridge for her cars, etc.

[katydid1971]

Ds wasn't into building at that age but is now a lego nut!!! DD loves to build "legos" (duplos) with her brother . She has a set that came with animals http://shop.lego.com/ByCategory/Product.aspx?p=5633&cn=35&d=262 and a hand me down set of just bricks (DS's that he really rarely used). She builds towers while DS is building with his legos and then she has the animals play around it. I have been considering getting her this set for Christmas because she love to play house (she already has a little people house she uses constantly so this is probably overkill). http://shop.lego.com/ByCategory/Product.aspx?p=5639&cn=35&d=262

[ljackson]

I would get her a box of bricks like this one

http://www.amazon.com/LEGO-Duplo-Large-Brick-Box/dp/B002RL7VNO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1284859749&sr=8-1

and a base plate to build on (this is crucial IMO)

http://www.amazon.com/LEGO-Large-Green-Building-Plate/dp/B00000JH3R/ref=sr_1_1?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1284859810&sr=1-1

to see if she likes it. We gave both of those to DD for Christmas when she was 2 and it was so clear that she loved it and one box was not enough that we bought her another similar box of bricks the next day. The box that I linked is good for getting a feel for how she might play with it and whether she really likes the person or the car or building towers etc.

[ljackson]

We got lots of Duplos from a consignment sale - lots - for a lot cheaper than the little boxes in stores. Check there first.

Consignment sales are a great way to find Duplo but I would check carefully what you are actually getting and whether it might suit your DD. I had a hunch that my DD would mostly play at making houses for the people, which turned out to be true. The box I linked in my other post was great for her because it has a couple of windows, fences and flowers. She also really likes having toys in nice colors and I don't think the older sets that just had four colors would hold her interest as well. If your DD is into farms or fire trucks or circuses, there might be a specific set that interests her a lot more than the others.