10 Best Toy Building Blocks for Toddlers in 2024
Selina Marie
Justina Fuller
For parents, trying to find the most appropriate toy for their child can be a tedious task. When it comes to finding the perfect toy, you have to think of what will be not only age-appropriate for your child but also what benefit will these toys have on your child’s development. Research has shown that toys like building blocks are particularly beneficial for children between the ages of 18 months to 3 years old because they help younger children master motor skills, develop cognitive skills, especially simple problem-solving skills, and foster spatial intelligence. It also starts to establish the beginning sense of identity.
In a Hurry? The test winner after 12 hrs of research
Plentiful blocks to play with.
Various colors and shapes.
High quality safe plastic.
Storage bag included.
10 Best Building Blocks Reviewed
1. Mega Bloks Deluxe Bag
Plentiful blocks to play with.
Various colors and shapes.
High quality safe plastic.
Storage bag included.
Possible choking hazard.
Some pieces might fit loosely.
Think of it as a mega LEGO building block set and you now have the First Builders Big Building Bag. Like all building block toys, this is excellent for stimulating open-ended and creative play. The set comes with 80 large building blocks in various shapes and colors. The blocks are made of the safest high-grade plastics to make sure that it won’t harm young children. It also comes with a clear storage bag that is, itself, free from PVC and BPA as well as the fact that it is non-woven.
Read moreAge Range
1 to 5 years old.
Educational Value
This set is a great way to stimulate your child’s hand-eye coordination development as they continually grasp and handle the blocks.
Creativity
This set of blocks comes with multiple shapes and colors, which is just what your toddler needs to develop their ability to differentiate between similar objects. By playing with these colorful blocks, your child will hone their ability to interpret object details. Being able to identify key differences in shapes, colors, and sizes is an important life skill that is best developed early.
Entertainment Value
This set includes over 150 building blocks. It’s a great way your little one will be able to explore all the possibilities of what they can build. It even comes with its own carrying case so that your little one can bring their blocks wherever you go on your travels. What’s great about this set is that they’re even compatible with other building block sets making endless possibilities of what your child will be able to create.
2. Floating Waterproof Wonderblocks
Unique block design.
Made for water activities.
Focus on imagination.
Enhances problem solving skills.
Safe and soft to use.
Moisture retainment could cause mold.
Who says that building block toys can only be enjoyed in the play area? With the Floating Waterproof Foam Blocks, toddlers can now have all the fun in their lives playing with these colorful and buoyant building blocks right in the bathtub or even in the kiddie pool. The set comes with 16 blocks in different shapes and sizes, a mesh tote, a baseboard, and 2 yellow duckies to make bath time more fun. To build on water, kids will use the buoyant baseboard as a foundation for the building blocks.
Read moreAge Range
At least 3 years old.
Educational Value
Building on unstable ground can be tricky. Now imagine the challenge of building a structure on the water. The toy offers unique challenges to help stimulate problem-solving skills and critical thinking skills. Older toddlers will have to think of ways on how they can stabilize the blocks on the baseboard.
Creativity
The Non-Toxic Floating Waterproof Foam Building Blocks is a great way to develop your child's imagination and teach problem-solving skills. The toy block set will help your child to learn how to problem solve as they figure out how to keep the toy blocks afloat and stacked upon each other. Such problem solving will help flourish your child's imagination as they invent unique ways for the toy blocks to work together. The toy block set is great for water activities such as bath time or a day at the pool and can be easily cleaned after use. The toy block set is safe and soft to use and its buoyancy will help keep your child afloat as well.
Entertainment Value
A perfect water play activity. This floating block set is a perfect bath or pool toy to help keep your little one entertained for hours. The blocks can even stick onto a wall which creates a whole new type of play for your little one to enjoy.
3. EMIDO Interlocking Disc Set
Develops hand-eye coordination & fine motor skills
Stimulates the imagination
Reusable bag serves as storage for the pieces & makes transporting easy
Pieces are non-toxic, BPA free, and durable
Pieces are small and could pose as a choking hazard for young children
Emido has modernized the classic building block toy by shaping it into a circular geometric figure rather than the typical square. This set comes with 120 brightly colored pieces that easily snap together to allow your child to build whatever comes out of their imagination. All of the pieces arrive in a yellow reusable bag, which will also store the pieces when your child is not using them. Each piece 0.35 inches wide, which makes them thick enough to easily be grasped by tiny hands. Composed of a high-quality polypropylene these blocks are non-toxic, BPA free, and highly durable. Not only will your child be completely safe from harmful chemicals when playing with the blocks but they have been made durable enough to allow your child to enjoy them for years to come.
Read moreAge Range
6 months to 2 years old.
Educational Value
As your child links the pieces together they will be developing their hand-eye coordination as well as their fine motor skills. The brightly colored pieces will stimulate their imagination and motivate them to unleash their creativity as they construct original pieces. The reusable bag makes it easy for you to transport these blocks from place to place.
Creativity
The unique shape of these blocks makes it possible for your child to build whatever their imagination stirs up. With the blocks being nontoxic and BPA free, they’re safe to let their creativity shine for hours on end.
Entertainment Value
Including 120 pieces this building block set by EMIDO snaps together so easily that your child will enjoy watching this set expand. Your child will be able to explore your cognitive development skills, fine motor skills, and creativity. It’s a great option to keep your toddler hands on.
4. Melissa & Doug Wooden Set
100 durable blocks
4 colors and 9 different shapes
Durable, safe materials
Broad age range
Blocks chip very easily
Some blocks are very small
These toys aren't made for longevity, but they're varied, well-priced, and easy for children to grasp and use.
Read moreAge Range
30 Months - 8 Years.
Educational Value
This 100 piece set includes blocks in nine different shapes and four different colors. Children will not only get to exercise dexterity, motor skills, and problem-solving but also sorting and basic shapes and colors recognition.
Creativity
These blocks can be constructed any which way! The sky's the limit and children can build whatever they want with these funs shapes and colors.
Entertainment Value
This Melissa and Doug set includes multiple different sizes and shapes of building blocks. This will help your little one learn colors, shapes and provide them hours of fun while also learning. It’s even a great way to introduce math to your little one a little bit early.
5. ETI Toys Engineering Set
Promotes learning in Engineering, Science, Mathematics, and Technology
Grows with your child
Washable
Teaches organization
Even after screwing the pieces together the bolts remain a little loose
This set of building blocks is both fun and educational. The open-ended concept allows your child to creatively construct new designs as they grow.
Read moreAge Range
3 years and up.
Educational Value
These building blocks promote learning in engineering, technology, mathematics, and science. Two wrenches are included in the set, so your child can increase their social and teamwork skills by building with their friends. Your child will become more organized as they work to fit each piece back inside the bin when they’re done playing. The open-ended design of these blocks encourages problem-solving and creative play.
Creativity
The opportunity for fun is endless with the ETI toys construction engineering building block set. Equipped with 101 pieces, children as young as three can use these pieces to develop their own creations. If they need a little inspiration, a step-by-step instructional book is included in the set and will provide them with 12 different toy designs. The suggested toy designs range from easy, intermediate, and advanced levels. Your child will never grow out of or bored with this toy as they always have the chance to construct something new. Each piece is non-toxic so your child is safe to build as much as they want. After your child is done playing with the blocks, wash them off in the sink to keep them from collecting germs. All of the pieces arrive nicely packed in a clear box. The box locks securely and is designed with a carrying handle to make storing and transporting stress-free.
Entertainment Value
With this building block set your little one will be able to create different mobile toys. This is a great rainy-day activity or if you're looking to get your child away from video games. It’s very hands-on and will even keep them active. It is recommended for children ages 3 and older. It’s also a wonderful activity for your child to express their imagination.
6. Manve 40-Pcs Magnetic
Focus on building skills.
Enhances creativity.
Various colors.
Storage bag included.
Possible choking hazard.
With a total of 66 pieces of fully magnetized building blocks, Manve’s Magnetic Building Blocks is an excellent take on a timeless block building classic. It comes with a clear container to help with storage and organization. Everything – the squares, circles, semicircles, triangles, and others – is made of high grade, safe, and durable materials.
Read moreAge Range
At least 3 years old.
Educational Value
The two shapes included in this set will encourage your child to use their imagination to create cool structures. With only a triangle and square shaped blocks, your child is also provided with a bit of a challenge in creating whatever object they want to build. n constructing or building a particular structure. Great for reinforcing motor skills, too.
Creativity
This 40-Pcs Magnetic Blocks set will help your child to develop their creativity and teach them building skills. This toy block set helps your child develop their spatial and fine motor skills as they learn how things relate and fit together. This toy block set is perfect to introduce your child to basic engineering and basic science as they learn how to build things and understand how magnets work. The toy block set comes with high-quality materials, various colors and will help to enhance your child's creativity as they discover new ways to create beautiful toy block masterpieces.
Entertainment Value
Magnetic toys are a huge hit in the world right now. An interesting way for your child to build with is with magnet toys such as these. Your little one will be able to learn matching skills, different patterns and build different shapes as well. It even provides a booklet for your child to get in
7. One Two Squeeze
Safe and soft to use.
Various colors.
Easy to clean.
Storage bag included.
Possible choking hazard.
Could be too big for some toddler hands.
With 10 colorful soft blocks complete with fully embossed images of fun and friendly animals, the B. One Two Squeeze Blocks is sure to delight toddlers as they can literally create miniature colorful towers with the blocks. The set can be conveniently stored in a carrying bag made of 100 percent recycled polypropylene. The blocks are buoyant so they can make excellent bathtub toys.
Read moreAge Range
6 months to 3 years old.
Educational Value
It is a great way to help toddlers master the art of stacking blocks in different configurations. The different blocks can also help toddlers gain mastery of the different colors as well as the different animals embossed on the blocks.
Creativity
The unique material used for these blocks allows your child to manipulate them in a way that is not possible with regular wooden or plastic blocks. Kids respond strongly to strange textures and surfaces, and because these can be squeezed, your child will be delightfully entertained for hours on end. Give them something different to explore with this popular set.
Entertainment Value
If you have an infant these super soft blocks are perfect for them. Your little one will be able to use their hands, grasp, and enhance their fine motor skills. They’re perfect teething toys for infants as well as they’re made of safe chewable materials.
8. DreambuilderToy 120 PCS Magnetic
Best seller
Affordable
102 pieces
Storage bag included
Small parts can be a choking hazard
For something truly different that combines the best of science and imagination, look no further than this incredible set. It happens to be a bestseller on Amazon with an almost five-star rating, so don’t miss this one. Designed for children three and up, this brightly colored magnetic set comes with an amazing 102 pieces to ignite your child’s curiosity. It also features several different shapes that are easily joined together to make one-of-a-kind structures.
Read moreAge Range
At least 3 years old.
Educational Value
The variety of shapes included in the bag will provide your child with a better understanding of the world around them. Learning shapes early on will help your child improve in math, science, and writing as well.
Creativity
Kids need to feel independent and that they are capable of coming up with their own ideas. These magnetic blocks give your child the ability to make their own decisions when it comes to the design and building strategy of a new structure. This is a critical part of improving a child’s confidence in their own thought processes and creative strategy.
Entertainment Value
Including an idea book so that your little one will become interested in what they build and may even create something new entirely, this set is perfect for your little one. Your child will be able to learn shapes, colors, patterns and be able to build endless options. It also comes with letter inserts so that your little one can even learning to spell and enhance their vocabulary.
9. Tegu Magnetic Wooden Set
Blocks crafted from wood.
Various colors and shapes.
Five different themes.
High quality safe materials.
Made to last a lifetime.
Possible choking hazard.
Some shapes might not stick well.
The magnets inside these blocks take building to the next level. The strength of the magnet adds stability and durability to all of the structures your child creates. Each block is decorated with a unique shade of color that will make each structure look cool.
Read moreAge Range
At least 1 year old.
Educational Value
Help your child get a head start on their developing spatial skills with this magnetic set. Because this set uses magnets, it has the potential to be built into awe-inspiring structures that regular wooden blocks just can’t do. These unique designs are an excellent way to enhance spatial recognition in young children.
Creativity
Made of 42 pieces of colorful, naturally safe, and elegantly finished wooden blocks fully integrated with magnetic elements, Tegu’s 42-Piece Magnetic Wooden Block Set will be the perfect gift for kids. Compared to other types of building blocks, it uses the power of magnetism to connect one block to another without the need to lock the pieces together. The set comes in 9 unique shapes and is available in 5 different variants including natural, blues, sunset, jungle and tints.
Entertainment Value
This set includes 42 pieces for your little one to enjoy. They’re easy and simple for your child to learn and create with. They’re bright vibrant colors and easy to stack. It’s perfect for open play and keeping your little one busy.
10. Skoolzy Alphabet Blocks
Blocks crafted from wood.
Colorful letters and design.
High quality safe materials.
Washable backpack included.
Possible choking hazard.
Paint could bleed, smear.
This next set of building blocks is an oldie but goodie. Skoolzy’s set of 30 wood alphabet blocks is perfect for your toddler. Each one-inch wood block features four blank sides and two sides with different letters. The size of the squares makes these blocks fit perfectly in small hands. The textured wood behind each letter will increase your child’s sensory development. A bright orange Skoolzy bag is included with the blocks to make storage, clean up, and toting easy. Composed of real wood, these blocks are durable enough to survive countless years of stacking.
Read moreAge Range
At least 2 years old.
Educational Value
These large blocks can give a boost to your child’s fine motor skills as they carefully stack them on top of one another.
Creativity
Not only will these blocks provide your little one with tons of fun, but they will also stimulate several areas of development. The colors on the blocks will increase your child’s color recognition skills and can even be used to improve their sorting skills. As they stack and build with the blocks they will be improving their fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and dexterity. The letters will help your child become more familiar with the alphabet and will help them excel in reading and spelling.
Entertainment Value
Perfect for preschoolers your little one will be able to learn and spell with these letter blocks. They’ll be able to stack, match and create. Wooden blocks are also perfect for autistic children. They are great for children ages 2 and up.
Criteria Used for Evaluation
Age Range
While blocks are usually meant for the younger crowd, a 3-year-old isn’t necessarily going to play with a toy that a 7-year-old will play with. Blocks are a toy that a younger child between the ages of 18 months to 3 years old will play with on a regular basis, and it helps with your child’s development. Block toys can be easily played with by children of all ages of course and they can also incorporate different uses. However, toddlers who play with building blocks develop pattern recognition whereas an elementary child playing with blocks can develop their creative skills.
Educational Value
When dealing with finding the perfect toy for your child to help develop their fine-motor skills, block toys are especially wonderful. Blocks require regular use of a child’s fingers and hands which will help develop their fine-motor skills by teaching them how to pick them up, grab blocks and even begin holding multiple blocks at once. With this ability, it also connects with spatial relation skills wherein block toys will help teach your child how everything fits together.
We’ve talked about creativity and fine motor, but what’s left is your child’s cognitive development. Block toys can help your child learn and develop sustained attention, cognitive flexibility and control, category formation, and pattern recognition. These abilities will not only help them in knowing how to play with toy blocks, but it can also help them with any learning skill in the future.
Creativity
Quite often, toys that help offer a variety of different options of play are considered “open-ended” toys. This means that open-ended toys give a child many different ways to play with their objects. When using building blocks, these toys can create a bridge, zoo, or complete fantasy town. Variety/open-ended toys can help spark your child’s creativity through pretend play while also developing their logical and problem-solving skills.
Creativity plays a big part when it comes to playing with blocks. Your children are going to use these toys with their imaginations, which utilizes your child’s creativity. This helps your child develop their intellectual, physical, emotional/social and communication abilities as they grow older. This is incredibly important for children because block toys are an essential beginners’ tool for creativity, especially through pretend play, and they can even help your child build their language and story-telling, problem-solving and even artistic skills.
Entertainment Value
Building blocks are a wonderful way to get your little one hands on. If you have a toddler that needs to be kept busy, building blocks will provide them endless amounts of entertainment. From being able to build towers, castles, buildings or just stacking in general, your little one will have endless possibilities to express themselves. It’s also a great way to get your little one to learn about cause and effect with what happens after the destruction and recreating something all over again. Building blocks are a wonderful way for your little one to be creative in a positive way.
Age Range Educational Value Creativity Entertainment Value 
Children from the age of 18 months to around 3 years old are known to be little explorers. They are literally discovering a lot of new things in their surroundings, such that they are now finding it increasingly important that they establish themselves as individual persons. While they may seem to exert their beliefs in certain things, experts believe that they still cannot find the most appropriate way to express their thoughts and feelings. It is for this reason that many parents consider toddlers as defiant, often throwing temper tantrums in public spaces as a way of getting attention and telling his or her caregiver that he or she wants something. Unfortunately, this may not necessarily be the case all the time. Because their language is still quite limited and they don’t know how to express their thoughts, they get easily frustrated. And this manifests as temper tantrums.
Building block toys can help in this sense especially if the toy comes fully integrated with learning activities like shapes, colors, the alphabet, numbers, and simple phrases. Additionally, because building blocks allow for open-ended play, it stimulates the minds of toddlers to think creatively and imaginatively. Studies have shown that, compared with puzzle toys, building block toys allow for the development of divergent problem-solving skills. This simply means that there is a multitude of solutions to a single problem. When taken in the light of toddlers’ frustrations for failing to express themselves, building block toys allow them to explore other ways in which they can convey to their caregivers what they really want. Toddlers will attempt to look for other ways in which they can communicate their needs to their parents and not just by throwing tantrums.
Other Factors to Consider
Logic
Block toys are considered play-based on the numerous problem-solving skills that your child can create with them. Toy blocks help your child develop creative thinking abilities that can help solve divergent problems. Divergent problem-solving isn’t exactly the sole focus of blocks, however, all kinds of simple and complex problem-solving can still be learned with them.
Effectiveness
You’ll notice your little one being able to enhance their hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. It’s also a great way for your little one to use their imagination and learn about cause and effect. Building blocks are also a wonderful teaching tool for your little one to learn about stacking. Most building blocks on our top ten list even can teach your little one about colors and shapes. They are a great educational tool that will effectively help your child later on in life.
Frequently Asked Questions
q: What are toy blocks?
Toy blocks are toys developed from various materials (Wood, plastic, and foam being the most common) that are crafted into various shapes and colors. The purpose of toy blocks is to engage a child’s mind to help develop critical skills for their physical, social, intellectual, and creative benefit. Toy blocks are also known as building blocks and can sometimes be categorized as construction toys.
q: Why are toy blocks important for kids?
Toy blocks are important for children because they help to develop children in multiple ways. Such development includes cognitive development, motor-skills development, team player skills, creative skills, and even social/emotional skills. Virtually every skill and ability your child has to use as they become older and interact with the world can be learned and developed from playing with toy blocks.
q: What are the benefits of toy blocks?
The benefits of toy blocks are endless but there are five benefits that stand out when playing with toy blocks. The benefits are as follows:
Improved social interaction
Successful academic results
Greater mental stimulation
Stronger hand-eye coordination
Enhanced active creativity
q: What can a child learn from toy blocks?
A child can learn the following from toy blocks:
Spatial skills
q: What kind of toy blocks are there?
There are a variety of toy blocks for children to play with. Wooden, plastic, and even metal toy blocks are available. For children, however, the best choice is toy blocks made from fabric, foam, other soft materials, plastic, and wood. Other variety criteria of toy blocks include color, shapes, textures, and sizes. Theme or usage focused toy blocks are common as well and you can also purchase toy blocks with a focus on educational and STEM training.
q: How else can I discover toy blocks?
You should start with the Born Cute “10 Best Toy Building Blocks for Toddlers in 2019” list: Click the link of the toy block that interests you and when you arrive at the Amazon page for the toy block, scroll down to the “Customers Who Viewed This Item Also Viewed” or “Customers Who Bought This Brand Also Shopped For” lists. Those two lists can give you a great starting point in discovering other toy blocks.
Sources
- , Tips for Choosing Toys for Toddlers, Online
- , What Makes a Good Toy?, Online Article
- , Cognitive Skills: Why The 8 Core Cognitive Capacities, Online
- , Benefits of creative play, Online Article
- , Why toy blocks rock: The science of building and construction toys, Online Article
