13 Best Blocks For Babies To Buy In 2023

Image: MomJunction Design Team

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:Melissa & Doug Deluxe ABC/123 Blocks Set

The Melissa & Doug ABC/123 blocks set is an educational toy perfect for teaching children letters, numbers, and basic math concepts and developing theirfine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.The set includes 50 colorful blocks with letters, numbers, and pictures on each side. This block set is built to last and provide hours of fun and learning for children aged two to four years.

Pros

• Convenient storage bag for easy portability
• Made of High-quality solid wood
• Hand-painted blocks
• Encourages screen-free play

Cons

• Some blocks may have multiple copies
• Some blocks may have slightly chipped paint

2. Best Squeezable:b .玩具——两个挤压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 atthis 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 Easy-To-Clean:Infantino Squeeze And Stack Block Set

The Infantino Squeeze and Stack Block Set is a fun and interactive toy designed to help develop your baby’s fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Made of non-toxic and phthalate-free PVC,the blocks have a chewy, soft texture that makes them great for teething babies.The blocks can be stacked and arranged differently, providing endless opportunities for creative play. Each block is decorated with fun and exciting patterns to capture your baby’s attention and inspire their imagination.

Pros

• Free of BPA
• Ergonomically sized to prevent choking hazards
• Fun, bright colors
• No sharp edges
• Easy to clean and store

Cons

• May have a strong smell initially
• Material may be thicker than expected

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 Sensory Play:Early Learning Centre Squeezy Stacking Blocks

The Early Learning Centre stacking blocks are a set of nine stackable blocks in multiple colors, with various numbers, shapes, and animals on them. These blocks are great for improving hand-eye coordination, encouraging early number recognition, and stimulating your baby’s senses as they have a soft texture that can be squeezed. The waterproof blocks can also be used as bath toys.

Pros

• Suitable for teething babies
• Helps stimulate tactile sense
• Lightweight design
• Made of non-phthalate and BPA-free PVC

Cons

• May be hard to stack
• May have an odd smell initially

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 With Safe Ink:Uncle Goose Planet Blocks

Uncle Goose’s planet-themed blocks are a fun and educational way to introduce your child to the wonders of our solar system. These blocks are made of sustainable basswood and feature illustrations of all nine planets, including the now dwarf planet — Pluto. The blocks also display quick facts about the planets — the diameter of the orbs, distance from the sun, etc. — on all sides. The set includes nine cubes, each measuring 1.75 inches and colored with sober hues.

Pros

• Child-friendly print ink
• No choking hazard
• Sturdy and durable
• Develops motor skills

Cons

• Blocks might be heavier than expected
• May not come with a storage box

9. Best For Easy Storage:Skoolzy Alphabet Wooden Block Set

Skoolzy’s set of 30 wooden blocks has engraved letters of the English alphabet on two sides of the block, while the other four sides remain empty to eliminate distraction and facilitate fun activities. These blocks can also help the child learn about colors as the letters are painted with multiple hues. Bring these blocks home to prepare your little toddler for their first school. In addition, the set includes an exclusive backpack to help you store the cubes conveniently when not in use.

Pros

• Phthalate- and BPA-free
• STEM-based toy
• Lead-free and non-toxic
• Includes a downloadable activity manual
• Helps enhance hand-eye coordination and dexterity

Cons

• Size may be smaller than expected
• Color may not be bright enough

10. Best For Shape-Sorting:Top Bright Animal Squeeze And Wooden Building Blocks

If you are looking for a combination of squeezable blocks and wooden toys to aid your child’s sensory development, this 80-piece building block set can be an excellent choice. Your toddler can use these blocks to build many objects and patterns as per their imagination and creativity. The blocks also help children learn the English alphabet, colors, shapes, and animals. The storage box’s lid doubles as a shape sorter toy.

Pros

• Rounded edges and corners
• Polished and burr-free finish
• Paint is water-based and free of BPA and phthalates
• Meets ASTM standards

Cons

• Blocks may be smaller than expected
• May be a bit challenging to stack

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.最好的Non-Toxic:Hape Maple Wood Kids Building Blocks

If you are looking for durable blocks made of sustainable forest wood and child-safe water-based paint, then Hape’s building blocks set can be the right choice. These blocks meet the ASTM and EN 71 safety standards, making them non-toxic and child-friendly. In addition, the set contains 50 building block pieces colored in five different hues, ensuring your child stays busy and entertained for long.

Pros

• Includes a cotton-based storage bag
• Can help develop fine motor skills
• Improves hand-eye coordination
• Teaches colors and shapes
• Burr-free finish

Cons

• May be difficult to stack due to the smooth surface
• Blocks may be smaller than expected

13. Best Lightweight:Playskool Stack And Nest Barrels and Blocks Toy

Playskool’s delightful toy pack for babies contains four detachable barrels and eight cubes to keep a baby intrigued for a long time. The toy pack gives a twist to the traditional cubes as its barrels and cubes can be taken apart, stacked, and nested. Moreover, this toy can also help you teach your children about the difference between different colors and sizes in a practical manner.

Pros

• Lightweight design
• Easy to store and carry
• Promotes color recognition
• Ideal for gifting

Cons

• May not be dishwasher friendly
• Colors may fade eventually

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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