A Parent's Guide to Building Blocks by Age: The Benefits of Block Play
/Editor's Note:
As part of our commitment to providing timeless, valuable advice, this popular article has been updated to be a general guide on choosing age-appropriate building blocks. The specific brand examples have been replaced with descriptions of the types of blocks that best serve each developmental stage.
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Building blocks have been a childhood staple for decades, and for good reason. Building with blocks provides one of the most valuable learning experiences available for young children. Block play stimulates learning in all domains of development—intellectual, physical, and social-emotional—and, most importantly, allows a child's imagination to run free.
Researchers have even shown that children who play with blocks when they are three, four, and five years of age tend to perform better in math, especially Algebra, later in middle school.
Building Blocks for Kids at Different Ages
With so many types of baby blocks on the market, how do you know which kind is right for your child? Not all blocks will work for all age groups. There is a natural progression to block play, and introducing them at each stage is invaluable for development.
Blocks Play for Babies (3 to 12 months old)
When babies are first introduced to blocks, the play is all about sensory exploration. They are learning how to hold them, feeling their texture, and are attracted by their eye-catching colors. They will carry them around, bang them together to see what sound they make, and, of course, put them in their mouths. This simple play expands a young child’s expressive and receptive language as they learn new words and concepts.
Recommended Blocks for this Age: Soft Silicone Blocks
For this stage, choose blocks made from soft, food-grade silicone. These are perfect because they can double as a teether, which is great for itchy gums. This also helps the child learn the crucial hand-to-mouth movement needed for self-feeding. The different colors encourage visual stimulation and color recognition, making them an ideal first toy for all-around development.
Blocks Play for Toddlers (2 to 3 years old)
At this age, the aim of play shifts to developing the mind: to imagine, visualize, explore, and create. A two or three-year-old is beginning to engage in early pretend play and is learning concepts like sorting, ordering, counting, size, and shape.
Recommended Blocks for this Age: Large, Lightweight Interlocking Blocks
Look for blocks made from soft but sturdy foam or plastic. They should be lightweight enough for a toddler to handle easily but firm enough that their creations don't tumble over too often, which can cause frustration. Colorful visuals and a comfortable touch are key. These blocks should be durable, easy to clean, and safe, allowing kids to have fun while stimulating creativity and imagination.
Blocks Play for Preschoolers (4 to 5 years old)
By four and five, children's block play becomes more experienced, balanced, and organized. Constructive play is more open-ended and exploratory. Children begin to combine different structures to make more complex buildings, telling stories through their creations.
Recommended Blocks for this Age: Smaller, Complex Construction Sets
Introduce smaller, more intricate interlocking blocks. These types of sets emphasize how a single, simple shape can be used to create an infinite variety of things. They are perfect for teaching children how to translate a flat, 2D design into a 3D structure. This challenges their fine motor skills, encourages problem-solving, and takes their creativity to the next level.
“Play is the highest form of research.”