Building blocks are often one of the first toys we give our children and have been for generations.
Before the age of 4-6 months babies don’t really play with toys. However, when they get to this stage they will start grabbing for nearby items that interest them and start playing with them, or rather exploring them with their mouths.
First blocks for babies are often soft for this reason, but wooden blocks are great as well. Just make sure if you are giving blocks to babies they are definitely too big for them to put in their mouths. No lego at this age.
Playing with blocks is a great way for babies to practise fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination as they grasp the blocks and eventually stacking and balancing skills as they figure out how to build towers. Playing with blocks is also great for starting to understand cause and effect.
Sensory building blocks for babies
First blocks for babies often contain some sort of sensory element, they might make a rattling or tinkling sound, they might have different textured surfaces and of course, most blocks will make a good sound if you bash them together.
Sensory blocks may also have mirrored panels so babies can look at their faces and are often either brightly coloured or monochrome to stimulate their visual sense.
Stacking blocks for babies
By the time they are around 12 months old as well as banging blocks together babies should be able to stack blocks one on top of the other.
And of course babies love nothing more than knocking over a tower that you have built. The nesting and stacking cubes are perfect for this as they make a nice tall tower and are light enough not to hurt if they manage to get underneath the falling tower.
Wooden building blocks for babies
A set of wooden building blocks will have long-lasting appeal for your baby. Simple building blocks have been around for generations and they are still just as fantastic for kids today as they were hundreds of years ago.
Wooden building blocks are perfect for learning to stack and balancing skills, counting and colour matching. They are so much fun to knock over, and they are brilliant for incorporating into imaginative play as children get older.
A good set of blocks will still be part of your playroom, and played with on a regular basis when you babies have turned into toddlers and preschoolers.
FAQs on what age kids start playing with blocks:
What are blocks?
Blocks are small, typically square-shaped toys made of wood, plastic, or foam that are designed for children to play with. They can be stacked and arranged in various ways to create structures and buildings.
At what age do kids start playing with blocks?
Children can start playing with blocks as early as 6 months old, but typically they start showing an interest in stacking and arranging blocks around 12-18 months old. By age 2, most children will enjoy building and knocking down simple block towers.
What are the benefits of playing with blocks?
Playing with blocks can have numerous benefits for children, including:
- Developing fine motor skills through manipulating and stacking the blocks
- Enhancing hand-eye coordination and spatial awareness
- Encouraging imaginative play and creativity
- Promoting problem-solving skills and logical thinking
- Helping with language development and communication skills as children describe their creations and interact with others while playing with blocks.
What types of blocks are available for kids?
There are a variety of different types of blocks available for kids, including:
- Wooden blocks: Made of solid wood and often brightly colored, these blocks are durable and long-lasting.
- Plastic blocks: These blocks are lightweight and easy to manipulate, often coming in a variety of shapes and colors.
- Foam blocks: Made of soft, squishy foam, these blocks are perfect for younger children as they can be easily manipulated and are safe to play with.
- Magnetic blocks: These blocks have magnets inside them, allowing them to easily stick together and create more complex structures.
How can parents encourage their child’s block play?
Parents can encourage their child’s block play by providing them with a variety of blocks to play with and setting aside dedicated time for block play. They can also participate in block play with their child, modeling different ways to build and create with the blocks. Parents can also ask open-ended questions and encourage their child’s imagination and creativity while playing with blocks.
