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Are you looking for a fun yet educational toy for your kids? Trying to decide between those expensive high-tech gadgets and simpler, more traditional toys? KAPLA blocks offer a variety of benefits for children, from helping develop fine motor skills to encouraging creativity. I’ve rounded up 7 of the best KAPLA block ideas so you can find your kid’s new favorite educational toy! So let’s get into it.
Top 3 Picks
Here are some of my top choices based on their overall quality, age range, and price.
Beginner KAPLA Set: KAPLA 100 Case
For Older Children: KAPLA Tractor Case
Budget-Friendly: KAPLA 40 Colors and Book – Red, Orange
What are Kapla Blocks?
In their appearance, KAPLA Blocks are extremely simple 100% pine woodblocks. Each block is made to the same dimensions of 11.7cm x 2.34cm x 0.78cm or a ratio of 1:3:15. This ratio is important as it plays into the physics of the block.
Created to help the inventor, Tom Van der Bruggen, create a to-scale model of a “castle” he was designing. The previously mentioned ratio of 1:3:15 helped him ensure that his blocks would require no adhesive for support – instead, relying on gravity alone.
Blocks can be used standing up vertically, laying flat, or on their side, and through careful manipulation will be held in place in a variety of configurations by gravity, balance, and weight. The blocks allow people of all ages to learn a variety of skills, from physics to geometry to fine motor skills.
What Age Range is Best for Kapla Blocks?
While KAPLA Blocks are marketed primarily as children’s toys, there is no limit on who can enjoy these building blocks. However, the blocks are best suited for those over the age of three as the blocks are small and could possess a choking hazard.
However, adults and kids alike can have fun getting creative and building endless creations. The blocks were originally designed to help the inventor make a scale model of the castle he wanted to design for himself – so the applications are truly endless.
Benefits of Kapla Blocks for Kids
The benefits of block play in general and KAPLA blocks specifically are innumerable. Playing with blocks can stimulate development and learning in virtually all areas important to a developing child, including but not limited to:
- Arithmetic and Geometry
- Social
- Emotional
- Language
- Fine Motor Skills
- Creativity and Imagination
- Problem Solving and Critical Thinking
- Physics
Math and geometry skills can develop by manipulating blocks into different patterns and configurations, counting sides, etc. By watching how gravity acts on KAPLA blocks to keep them in place without adhesive, your child can begin to learn about physics and science.
Manipulating the blocks into various shapes and creations by 2D and 3D can help develop fine motor skills as the blocks are pretty small to grasp. In addition, their problem solving and critical thinking skills will flourish as they figure out ways to create increasingly more complex designs, buildings, etc.
Probably the most widely assumed benefit comes in the form of creativity and imagination, as blocks are just a medium. For simple wooden blocks to be an enjoyable toy a child has to develop and exercise their creativity and imagination to think of things they want to create and figure out how to make that happen.
What are STEM Toys and Learning?
STEM refers to the acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. STEM toys are toys and activities that are geared towards developing skills in these four areas. These skills include but are not limited to:
- Creativity
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Analysis and Application
These types of toys are important as STEM is an important part of our constantly changing technological world. Encouraging children to develop the skills necessary to engage with these fields leads to innovation, empowerment, and equality.
The STEM fields are historically lacking in diversity. Encouraging children to develop STEM-related skills through play and education early in life can help bridge the gap between genders, race, socioeconomic status, etc in those industries.
In general, STEM toys can help develop much-needed skills in science and technology that will make children better prepared for rapidly changing technology, higher education, and careers in STEM-related industries.
Other common toys that encourage STEM-related learning include; telescopes and microscopes; robot, circuit, and simple machine-building kits; magnets.
How to Use Kapla Blocks
Building with KAPLA blocks is incredibly simple. There’s no need for glue or other adhesives. Instead, blocks are placed either flat, on their side, or standing up vertically, on top of each other, and held together by gravity and balance.
One of the main principles of using KAPLA blocks is that there is no wrong way to build and create with KAPLA – while an instructional idea booklet is included with your KAPLA set, that is not the only way to build.
Experiment with different configurations, form blocks into cubes, create thicker frames by stacking multiple blocks together – the important thing is that you’re trying things out and learning as you go.
How to Clean and Care for Kapla Blocks
Cleaning wooden toys like KAPLA blocks isn’t required all that often. However, if you’d like to give your KAPLA blocks a refresh, there are a few basic tips to follow.
If your blocks are visibly dirty, you may gently clean your blocks using a natural, gentle cleaner like mild, eco-friendly dish soap or vinegar diluted in water. Don’t use anything harsh as it will dry out the wood.
Gently wipe to clean or, if using diluted vinegar water, lightly mist blocks with a spray bottle and wipe to clean. Do not soak your KAPLA blocks. Wood is porous, and you can cause the blocks to warp, dry out and/or crack.
Leave your blocks out to air dry completely, flipping to ensure both sides are dry. If possible, use something like a wire cooling rack to allow airflow.
If your KAPLA blocks show wear or are drying out, you can lightly treat them with a quick swipe of mineral oil on a dry cloth.
The Best Kapla Blocks for Kids
If you’re interested in KAPLA blocks, you’re in luck! I’ve rounded up some of the best KAPLA blocks sets out there to help you choose the best ones for you and your kids.
KAPLA 100 Octocolor Case
Best: Colored KAPLA Block Set
Looking to add a bit of color to your existing KAPLA block collection? The KAPLA 100 Octocolor Case injects a bit more creativity into your favorite eco-friendly block set.
Price Range: $45 – 65
Eight different color options allow you to create fun and lively projects and are great for helping to engage younger children.
Pros:
- 100% Natural Wood is sustainable and eco-friendly.
- Promotes a variety of skills, learning, and development.
- Great for ages 3 years+.
- The perfect number of blocks for a variety of small and large projects.
- A great beginner set.
- Colors make projects more fun and creative and help to engage younger children.
Cons:
- Keeping track of, storing, and collecting blocks can be difficult and you may easily lose pieces.
- Colored pieces may not be as smooth as natural pine blocks are.
KAPLA 100 Case
Best: Beginner KAPLA Block Set
A great starter set of KAPLA’s, this 100 case provides enough blocks for tons of projects – big and small.
Price Range: $45 – 65
Includes a sheet of projects to try as you learn to manipulate these unique blocks into various configurations. With these eco-friendly blocks, your kids will love creating everything from houses to cars to animals.
Pros:
- 100% Natural Wood is sustainable and eco-friendly.
- Promotes a variety of skills, learning, and development.
- Great for ages 3 years+.
- The perfect number of blocks for a variety of small and large projects.
- A great beginner set.
Cons:
-
Keeping track of, storing, and collecting blocks can be difficult, and you may easily lose pieces.
KAPLA Tractor Case
Best for: Older Children
If your children enjoy a good craft or project, getting started with a set like the KAPLA Tractor Case may be a great idea. This set gives you everything you need to create a tractor using the blocks included.
Price Range: $70 – 90
Your kids will learn to manipulate the blocks and think critically to apply what they learn and create a tractor by following instructions. Then, after they’ve finished they can reuse the blocks to create all kinds of unique projects they come up with themselves!
Pros:
- 100% Natural Wood is sustainable and eco-friendly.
- Project and instructions promote critical thinking, problem-solving, and application.
- Great for ages 3 years+.
- Having a set project can be a great way to get started with KAPLA blocks.
- Blocks can be reused after finishing the project to create their ideas.
Cons:
-
Tractor projects may require the help of an adult or be more geared towards older children.
KAPLA Spider Case
Best: Small Project
Looking to get started with KAPLA? The KAPLA Spider Case gives kids a creative project to try out as they learn to manipulate KAPLA blocks. Following instructions to create this cool spider will help them with their critical thinking, problem-solving, and application.
Price Range: $35 – 55
The best part? Once finished, they can reuse the blocks over and over again to create their ideas.
Pros:
- 100% Natural Wood is sustainable and eco-friendly.
- Project and instructions promote critical thinking, problem-solving, and application.
- Great for ages 3 years+.
- Having a set project can be a great way to get started with KAPLA blocks.
- Blocks can be reused after finishing the project to create their own ideas.
Cons:
-
Spider project may require the help of an adult or be more geared towards older children.
KAPLA 40 Colors and Book – Red, Orange
Best: Budget-Friendly
Help foster their creativity with some color! KAPLA 40 Colors and Book features natural, red, and orange blocks to help your kid bring their dreams to life.
Price Range: $30 – 50
This small set of 40 blocks is ideal as a travel toy for classrooms or small projects.
Pros:
- 100% Natural Wood is sustainable and eco-friendly.
- Promotes a variety of skills, learning, and development.
- Great for ages 3 years+.
- Red and orange colored blocks allow for even more creativity.
- The perfect number of blocks for small projects travel entertainment and more.
Cons:
-
The number of blocks is not enough for larger-scale projects or multiple children.
KAPLA 200 Box
Best: Mid-range Set
For children aged 3 and older, KAPLA blocks are the perfect way to help their imagination come to life. The KAPLA 200 box provides your children with the ideal number of blocks to help them create just about anything their little brains can come up with while helping to develop a variety of essential skills.
Price Range: $50 – 75
Made with natural and sustainable pine wood, these blocks are the perfect eco-friendly toy for any kid (or kid at heart!).
Pros:
- 100% Natural Wood is sustainable and eco-friendly.
- Promotes a variety of skills, learning, and development.
- Great for ages 3 years+.
- The perfect number of blocks for most children’s projects.
Cons:
-
Keeping track of, storing, and collecting blocks can be difficult, and you may easily lose pieces.
KAPLA 1000 Pack
Best For: Large-scale Projects
The KAPLA 1000 Pack takes all the things you love about KAPLA blocks and gives you the freedom to create anything your heart desires.
Price Range: $250 – 350
From multiple small creations to full-on architectural marvels. The 1000 pack features the KAPLA blocks you know and love in their beautiful natural pine – a sustainable and eco-friendly choice.
Pros:
- 100% Natural Wood is sustainable and eco-friendly.
- The number of blocks will allow you to build just about anything.
- Promotes a variety of skills, learning, and development.
- Great for ages 3 years+.
Cons:
- Expensive.
- Keeping track of, storing, and collecting blocks can be difficult, and you may easily lose pieces.
FAQ
Question: What Age are KAPLA Blocks For?
Answer: KAPLA blocks are unique building blocks that are suitable for children beginning at age three. However, KAPLA blocks are fun and engaging toys for all ages and shouldn’t be restricted to children. Those 3 – 99 years old can have fun creating together.
Question: What Size are KAPLA Blocks?
Answer: Identical pieces of 11.7cm x 2.34cm x 0.78cm make up a traditional set of KAPLA blocks. These are in a ratio of 1:3:15 (length: width: thickness), which is an ideal size ratio for building a wide variety of creations using balance and gravity, according to the manufacturer.
Question: Where are KAPLA Blocks Made?
Answer: KAPLA blocks are made in France, where the inventor, originally from the Netherlands, first came up with the idea for the blocks in 1987.
Question: What Wood is KAPLA Made of?
Answer: Sustainably harvested from the South of France, KAPLA blocks are made with 100% natural and untreated pine wood making them an incredibly eco-friendly toy.
The Bottom Line
KAPLA blocks are a simple yet fun educational toy that offers a variety of benefits to kids of all ages. If you’re looking for the best beginner set of KAPLA blocks, I recommend the KAPLA 100 Case, which has the perfect number of blocks for both small and large projects for the beginner builder.
If you liked this article, be sure to let me know in the comments below. If you’re looking for more content like this, then check out our great guide to the best wooden food toys!
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