If you have a child at home, our list of the best blocks for babies can help you find some entertaining options. Blocks are educational tools that are also suitable for entertainment purposes. The soft ones can be chewed or thrown around; plastic ones with letters and numbers are ideal for learning, while the wooden ones are suitable for older children or toddlers. If you want to develop your child’s creativity, motor skills like sorting and stacking and mentally stimulate them, our list of blocks can help you pick the right one.
Why Are Blocks Effective Toys?
Blocks benefit young children in many ways. The following are some.
Stimulants: Blocks are stimulating toys for children. They promote creativity and imagination. Developmental: Blocks aid in developing a child’s cognitive and motor skills while also encouraging skill development and imagination. You can use these blocks to teach children the letters of the alphabet and numbers in a fun way. Engrossing: These toys keep children occupied for an extended time. The eye-catching colors and prints keep them engrossed and intrigued. Safe: Most children’s blocks are made of soft material or BPA-free plastic with rounded edges. They’re also large enough so that they do not cause a choking hazard. So even if the child is left alone, they are safe to play with these blocks. Independence and social skills: Children can play with blocks individually and with friends. These blocks teach children to be self-sufficient and share and form social bonds. Accomplishment: Building something with blocks provides the child with a sense of accomplishment. They use their creativity to stack the blocks in novel ways, marvelling at their accomplishments and making their parents proud.
13 Best Blocks For Babies
1. Best Easy-To-Carry: Fisher-Price Baby’s First Blocks
Fisher-Price’s set of colorful blocks is an excellent choice for your baby’s first blocks. The set includes ten blocks and is packaged in a cool storage bucket with a convenient, easy-to-carry handle. The blocks, suitable for babies aged six months and up, introduce the child to the world of shapes and colors. In addition, it allows for easy sorting, stacking, building, and dropping off pieces into the bucket via slots. These blocks promote hand-eye coordination and develop motor and cognitive skills. Pros
Introduces children to counting Enhances dexterity and spatial orientation Designed to be grasped easily Lightweight
Cons
Some may find the lid to be loose May accumulate dirt easily
2. Best Squeezable: B. Toys – One Two Squeeze Baby Blocks
One Two Squeeze baby blocks are hand-sculpted and recommended for children aged six to three years. These brightly colored blocks, made of BPA-free silicone, are squeezable, soft, and safe for babies to chew. The educational blocks feature numbers, patterns, and animal designs. They come in a set of ten pieces and encourage children to stack and knock them down. The set comes packaged in a clear tote bag for convenient storage. If you want a detailed review of the product, make sure to take a look at this video. Pros
Bag is made from 100% recycled fabric Can help encourage early learning Squeaky sound attracts child’s attention Available in two styles
Cons
May not be easy to clean May have a peculiar odor
3. Best For Teething: Mini Tudou Soft Baby Blocks
Mini Tudou’s baby blocks are designed with shapes, numbers, animal designs, fruits, Arabic numerals, and geometrical patterns. The non-toxic, chewy soft silicone texture makes them great for teething babies. This set contains 12 pieces that are simple to stack and drop without causing harm to the child. In addition, the sturdy blocks make a squeaky sound when squeezed and aid in developing a child’s cognitive and motor skills. Pros
Easy to squeeze Doubles as a matching game Helps develop sensory skills BPA-free material Food-grade silicone
Cons
May not be easy to clean Some blocks may not fit perfectly
4. Best For Learning : SainSmart Jr. Wooden ABC Blocks
The set of 40 wooden stacking blocks from SainSmart Jr. introduces the child to letters and numbers. The blocks are appropriate for toddlers and come in a mesh bag for convenient storage. The blocks are entirely made of natural pine wood and are smoothened, carved, painted with non-toxic paint, making them safe for children. Each cube is 1.8 inches in size and has rounded edges for added safety. Pros
Helps develop problem-solving skills Ergonomically sized to prevent choking hazards Meets ASTM toy safety standards Available in two sizes
Cons
May not be dishwasher-safe Wood may be prone to chipping
5. Best For Color Sorting: Blue Ginkgo Silicone Building Blocks
Let your toddler stack, sort, and play with these rainbow color building blocks that are soft to the touch and flexible to squeeze. The open-ended Montessori toy set contains 24 pastel-colored blocks and a wooden tray for easy sorting and storing. Moreover, the blocks are washable either with warm water and soap or in the dishwasher. Pros
Made of BPA-free and food-grade silicone Easy to grab No sharp edges Suitable for water play Suitable for children aged three years and above
Cons
Some may find them smaller than the expected size Might attract dirt and dust
6. Best For Improving Cognitive Skills: Kingtree Baby Blocks
The colorful, squeezable, and soft Kingtree baby cubes come in a set of nine blocks. They are suitable for babies aged six months and above, and their chewable texture aids in teething. The blocks are made entirely of BPA-free silicone material and are odorless and non-toxic. In addition, a built-in sound generator appeals to young children and aids in developing cognitive skills. Pros
Made with 3D embossed design Can be used as a bath toy Aids in tactile development Temperature resistant up to 100? Helps soothe sensitive gums
Cons
Paint may fade upon usage Cubes may be smaller than expected
7. Best For Six-Month-Olds: Teytoy Soft Baby Blocks
TeyToy squeezable blocks are soft and stackable and ideal for babies aged six months. The educational activity toys introduce colors, shapes, and patterns to the young baby. The built-in bells draw the baby’s attention, and each of the cubes’ surfaces has a different print. The high-quality blocks are child-friendly and safe, and the set is a great gift option because it has been designed with computer embroidery. Pros
Lightweight Made to resist high temperature Made from environmentally friendly materials Teaches children how to classify things Develops child’s linguistic knowledge
Cons
Small parts may lead to choking hazards Blocks may be smaller than expected
8. Best For Sensory Experience: Lesong Baby Blocks
Lesong’s educational baby blocks teach children numbers, colors, shapes, animals, fruits, patterns, and much more. The squeezable, stackable soft building blocks also serve as teethers. They are suitable for children aged nine to 18 months and are made of child-safe silicone. In addition, these sensory blocks are simple to maintain. Pros
Can be used as a bath toy Suitable for montessori-style learning Blocks do not contain any BPA Lightweight blocks
Cons
Colors may fade upon prolonged usage May not make much sound
9. Best Lightweight: IQ Baby – Small World Toys Knock-Knock Blocks
A baby’s favorite activity is stacking and knocking things down. IQ Baby‘s Small World Knock-Knock 16-piece block set includes lightweight and soft blocks of various designs, including doors and windows that open and some that jingle, rattle, and crinkle. The textures and shapes of the blocks vary too. And for a baby, they are incredibly entertaining and engaging. These blocks are made of washable plush fabric and come in a vinyl carry case. Pros
Bold colors grabs child’s attention Can be used for playing in crib Helps teach cause and effect Encourages social interaction
Cons
May have a peculiar chemical smell May accumulate dirt easily
10. Best For Balancing Skills: Joqutoys Wooden ABC Building Blocks
The ABC building blocks by Joqutoys are made up of 26 wooden blocks. The toddler-friendly stacking blocks measure 1.65 inches each. The learning cubes help the child’s balancing skills and spatial awareness. In addition, these blocks are easy to pick up and arrange. The set includes numbers, shapes, and sight words with related letters and word-picture associations. The sensory toy is made of natural wood with smooth edges and is child-safe and non-toxic. Pros
Comes with a bag for easy storage Easy to play while traveling Large enough to prevent choking Meets ASTM and CPSIA safety standards Develops motor skills
Cons
Paint may fade Blocks may be prone to chipping
11. Best Tear-Resistant: Haba Baby’s First Basic Block Set
The 12 brightly colored wooden cubes are ideal for children over six months and teach children how to build and stack. They come in six primary colors, and each cube measures 1.5 inches on each side and is easy to grasp. The blocks are water-based and solvent-free colors. The surface is wear- and tear-resistant and safe to put in the mouth. Pros
Actively tested to meet quality checks Made from solid beech wood Lightweight Smooth texture
Cons
May catch stains easily Blocks may be slightly larger than expected
12. Best Textured: Chriffer Baby Blocks Toys
Chriffer baby blocks are egg-shaped sensory blocks featuring embossed animal expressions, shapes, and numbers. The 12-piece set is made of soft food-grade silicone and is ideal for teething gums. The egg blocks are light and soft with embossing that creates various textures to help babies explore their sense of touch. In addition, the squeezable, chewable toys make squeaking sounds and engage the little ones. Pros
Does not contain BPA Aids in hand-eye coordination Deformation- and fade-resistant Meets ASTM safety standards Machine-washable
Cons
Blocks may be smaller than expected Colors may leak
13. Best For Developing Counting Skills: Moontoy Baby Blocks Stacking Toys
Moontoy baby blocks are ideal for toddlers who like to learn while playing. These stacking toys, made of BPA-free ABS, help children with color, shape, and pattern recognition. The block set with 12 pieces should be stacked to form a giraffe. It aids in developing counting skills and hand-eye coordination. The set is available in ten bright colors and is ideal for a party or play date. Pros
Teaches color recognition to children Smooth, non-toxic and washable blocks Rounded edges for safe play Easy to carry while traveling Enhances hand-eye coordination
Cons
Blocks may not stay intact when assembled Toy may be smaller than expected
How To Choose The Right Blocks For Babies?
Here are some factors to consider when buying blocks for your child.
Size: Ensure that the blocks aren’t too small that they pose a choking hazard as toddlers like to put things in their mouths. Durability: The material should be strong enough to withstand rough play, tossing, chewing, and slobber. Cardboard blocks, for example, can break or disintegrate quickly, posing a risk to the child. Material: Blocks are made of wood, foam, plastic, or cloth. Choose a non-toxic material because your child is likely to put the blocks in their mouth. Also, the material should be easy to clean. If your child is under the age of two, it is best to stick to softer materials. Purpose: Blocks can be used for educational or recreational purposes. If your child is younger, a simple block for stacking and dropping may suffice. A toddler should be given blocks with numbers, letters, animals, fruits, patterns, and other prints to learn from.
Why Trust MomJunction?
Vibha Navrathna is experienced in choosing the right toys for babies based on their age. Her focus mainly lies in selecting educational toys that boost children’s cognitive development. In this post, she has considered user reviews to compile this list of the best blocks for babies. She has briefly described factors like wide color range, block size and design, and durability to help you decide which toys to choose. A few of these toys have the alphabet and numerical stamps and can be played throughout childhood.
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