Tootsie Toy Colored Wood Blocks
Written: Aug 31 '02
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Pros: Non-toxic, real hardwood
Cons: Would be nice to have some with holes/slots
The Bottom Line: Toddlers and preschoolers can build blocks with ten shapes and colors
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| bonniesayers's Full Review: Tootsie Toy Colored Wood Blocks |
It just so happened that the day my youngest son turned six this summer he was admitted to the Hospital. He had an infection that got worse and I wanted a second opinion on whether to take him to the Emergency Room, so we waited for the medical student that comes over once a week. She is part of a program that matches students with families that have children with disabilities.
She brought with her the Tootsie Toy® Colored Wood Blocks as a birthday present for my son. This consists of sixty-five blocks that are red, yellow, blue, green and orange in ten various shapes. The longest hardwood block measures a bit over six inches long, able to fit two of the three-inch rectangle blocks on top. These blocks can be placed on top of one another to build large towers as well as many small ones with the odd shapes acting as tops. The blocks can be spread out and then other shapes aligned on top of several of them to make a long model.
These are lightweight with no shine or gloss on the blocks. They are nicked and appear faded in color. Most of the average size of the Tootsie Toy® Colored Wood Blocks can fit in the palm of a child’s hand. The towers can be built and knocked down. They would not be able to move towers without blocks falling over as they are just placed on top of one another and no way to secure them. My kids like to use the cars and trains we have to knock over the tower the other one has built.
There are no sharp corners but still caution should be adhered to when the youngest in the recommended age group are playing as they can whack another person with a block. The best part of the Tootsie Toy® Colored Wood Blocks is the green carry case that is the box it is stored in. The top flaps are folded over to create the handle, which makes this good for bringing along when traveling, bringing to the park or a playgroup for parallel play with other kids. The blocks are made in USA and suitable for both boys and girls.
Toddlers can learn shapes, sizes and colors before even heading off to preschool, learn to share and take turns when working on one tower with another child. Little kids like watching things tip over and then have to reassemble from memory or try a new version of their tower. There is nothing actually on the box or inside offering the exact name of each of the shapes, which I would like to know when referring to the odd shaped ones.
Since my son is a hard one to find for presents this was a good choice because he enjoys dumping the blocks out and then moving them around. With some initiation on my part he is able to build and follow how other towers are built, visual cues are helpful. I can get him to place all the red blocks in one section and continue with the next color. This builds creativity while he adapts to some independent play. I would say the age range could be from 1.5 to 5 or older, depending on the level of the child.
I never purchased this myself because there are plenty of wooden blocks in the classroom and I never thought about having them in the home as well. I prefer the colored blocks to the plain ones. My son has shown in interest in them off and on this summer season.
The Tootsie Toy® Colored Wood Blocks were purchased at Toys R Us for $9.99. Although this box contains sixty-five blocks, there are other choices available for either more or less blocks. The website shows all the variations at www.tootsietoy.com.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 9.99
Type of Toy: Blocks
Age Range of Child: 3 to 5 Years
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Epinions.com ID:
bonniesayers
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Location: Los Angeles, CA
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