If you’re looking for the best blocks for kids, you’ve come to the right spot. Blocks are an essential toy and learning material for children. Plus, they make a great gift! As a veteran preschool teacher and mom of 3 kids, I have put together some of our all-time favorite blocks:
- Most-loved blocks
- Blocks for stacking and balancing
- Blocks for learning
- Blocks for gross motor play
The Best Blocks for Kids
Whether you’re looking for your child to learn, to build and create, or to stay busy, blocks check all of the boxes! We’re always on the lookout for blocks that are sturdy, can last for years of fun, and are beloved by our own kids.
Block are an amazing addition to lots of preschool themes! They are especially fun to incorporate during a construction theme, a STEM theme, a habitats theme, or a magnets theme.
Need more great theme ideas for your classroom? Have a printable list always at hand during your planning! Grab your free copy by filling out the form below.
Most-Loved Blocks
These are the blocks that kids love to play with over and over again! They are a needed staple in every preschool classroom and are great to have for home.
Magnetic Tiles
Magnetic Tiles are the ultimate block! Not only are they sturdy and colorful, but they provide hours of block building fun. They range from $0.50 to $1+ per piece and starter sets have around 30 pieces. If you’re like us, you’ll be quickly adding to your collection! We love to add characters or animals into the fun.
Magnetic Tiles are the blocks that my kids have used continuously even as they grow older. They are a great long-term investment that will pay off in the end!
Avoid frustrating tower collapses by using a cookie sheet or metal plate from IKEA as a base. They also can stick to metal surfaces such as refrigerators and garage doors.
Our favorite brands are:
PicassoTiles – The most affordable quality magnetic tile.
Magformers – Hollow on the inside, extra sturdy and strong.
Magna-tiles – The original magnetic tile with expansion sets also available.
Unit Blocks
You might recognize these nostalgic wooden blocks from your childhood. These shape blocks are a staple block for all kids and a must-have for all preschools. They are designed with size in mind. Each block is a puzzle piece to build a masterpiece.
Melissa and Doug – Sturdy and standard size with a wooden crate for storage.
Amazon Basics – A smaller and more affordable set with a carry bag.
Melissa and Doug colored set – A brightly colored block set in red, yellow, green, and blue.
Duplos
Duplos are always a favorite! They are easy for little hands to manipulate and they stay in place much more easily than typical LEGO bricks. While they are safe enough for toddlers, older kids still love playing with them too. Nowadays, you can even build them with train tracks, create space shuttles, and tons more! Here are our favorite sets:
Train Set – A perfect Duplo set on wheels with numbers.
Beginner Set – This colorful set is a great one to start with and includes familiar objects such as cars and flowers.
Airport Set – Have hours of fun with this cute airport that includes a plane!
Blocks for Stacking and Balancing
Rainbow Stacking Blocks -The best part about rainbow blocks is that they look beautiful while also being super educational and fun! Children will be learn about colors and create at the same time. They also make a gorgeous display or invitation to play.
Balancing Stones – These balancing stones are such a unique twist on traditional blocks! As children practice stacking them onto each other they gain spatial awareness, critical thinking, and perseverance.
Cardboard Blocks
These Melissa and Doug sets are so inviting and fun!
Alphabet Nesting Blocks – Stack the alphabet and build a tower at the same time!
Cardboard Barns with Wooden Animals – Invite children to play with numbered barns and farm animals. They are a perfect addition to a farm theme!
Garage Sorting Blocks – 7 stackable garages that come with wooden cars to drive in and out. These are great for a transportation theme!
Community Helper Garages – These cardboard buidlings also come with wooden vehicles and are perfect for a community helper theme!
Blocks for Learning
Pattern Blocks – Teach children all about beginning geometry with these fun and inviting blocks. Children love making pictures with them and learning the names of all the shapes. Don’t forget to count the corners, too!
Counting Cubes – Educators and parents love counting cubes, or unifix cubes, because they are a great teaching tool to help with patterning, addition, subtraction, and other important number sense skills. But when kids see them, they only think of play!
Blocks for Gross Motor Play
Stepping Stones – Sometimes blocks are for walking on! These stepping stones are a blast. Make your own obstacle course! Children love finding clever ways to move from block to block.
Giant Waffle Blocks – A childhood favorite that is larger than life! These blocks are durable and great for lots of creativity and learning.
Kid’s Adventure Stacking Blocks – These sturdy blocks look like giant LEGO bricks. Use them outdoors or inside, too!
Whether you are using blocks for creativity, play, or learning, we hope you find some amazing blocks for your kids. We’d love to hear what your favorites are!
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Thanks for your your list of favourite blocks! I recognize them all! When they were very small, my kids loved the big waffle blocks, which they played with both inside and outside. However, my kids’ favourite blocks were always the simple wooden blocks like the Melissa and Doug blocks you showed. They played with these even as teenagers, and build very complex structures like bridges, and castles. They also liked to build with Jenga blocks and Kapla blocks. Now in their twenties, my kids still play with Lego. Admittedly, even the adults in our home love Lego blocks and we all still build with them.