Customer Reviews

Melissa & Doug 60-Piece Standard Unit Blocks

5 star:		(257)
4 star:		(25)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

There is one reviewer here who didn't like these blocks. (I'm guessing that reviewer has other, more expensive, unit blocks.) Please allow me to address the points raised by that reviewer.

"The Weight": Some children can lift 15 pounds (like my 3-year-old), and some can't. Know your child, and supervise the little ones when moving the full box of blocks. Common sense, really. Not a problem. Usually, my kids leave the box on the floor and just push it across the carpet.

We have had one box split near the bottom at one end. A little wood glue and an overnight clamping session, and it was good to go. The dovetail joints are plenty strong for the job, even if there might be weak points in the wood. For the first while, my kids' favorite piece was the box (it was a boat, a bed, a car, etc.), so I'm not surprised that it had a problem.

"The Smell": yes, these blocks to have a slight odor to them when the package is first opened. It's the finish they use, and it's not strong at all. I would guess it's some type of natural oil. (Tung, linseed, or something similar.) I'm highly sensitive to chemicals and other odors (headaches and allergic reactions), and this didn't bother me at all. It dissipated quickly, and is completely unnoticeable after a short while. I especially like the finish M&D use on these blocks because it's not readily apparent, and yet it has kept the wood smooth. Even blocks that sneaked (under their own power, I'm sure ;o) into the bathtub have dried very well. The grain of the wood raised slightly, but smoothed back down nicely with play, and never splintered at all. The feel of these blocks is great, too. Smooth and pleasant to touch, but with enough texture to make them easy to manipulate for small hands.

"Not True Standard Unit Blocks": Um, yes, they are. The larger triangles are the size of two of the smaller triangles, two of which equal half of the standard unit block (1-1/2" x 2" x 5"). The hypotenuse of the large triangle is also the same length as the standard unit block (5"). The large triangles use variations of the same "unit" all the other blocks do. Just because HABA or other companies don't have a block that size doesn't mean it can't be done. Each and every block in this set shares the same width, as well as one other dimension (whether that second dimension is exactly the same as the first, or is a multiple of it).

And those little quarter circles are some of my kids' favorites. They're also great for helping to teach fractions, as are the half circles. Put 'em on their rounded edges on top of a little block, and you've got a nifty sailboat, to boot. Or on top of a pillar, and you've got a minaret spire. They're great.

"Not hardwood": Rubberwood is a hardwood. Not all hardwoods are as heavy as cherry or oak. Can you imagine how heavy this box would be if the blocks were made from a heavier hardwood? Ay! No thanks. It's heavy enough as it is.

I love it that the Rubberwood is tough as well as light. Along with the very tight, straight grain and smooth feel, my kids have abused these blocks for nearly four years now, and they're still looking great. (We now own two sets.)

To sum up: We love love love these blocks. If you have more than one child (or one very imaginative and creative child), you would do well to purchase two sets. (And you're still paying less for two sets than you would be buying 60 unit blocks from other companies.)

Cheap? No way.

An excellent value? Definitely!

These blocks are all you could ask for--and at an unbelievable price!! These are indeed "Standard Unit Blocks". They are just like what you will find in Preschool and Kindergarten classes. The selection of sizes and shapes is very, very good for a set with only 60 blocks total. That being said, if you can afford it I would strongly recommend buying 2 sets. When youngsters start building it's a shame if they run out of building materials for their creative experiences. The quality, weight, and workmanship of these blocks is outstanding. This is surely a gift that can be passed on for generations. In this day and age of pricey toys-so many being electronic and/or requiring only "one right answer or goal" it's incredibly refreshing and truely necessary to encourage children to be creative and explore learning through active free play. I purchased 2 sets of these blocks for my 3 & 4 yr old boys. I believe that the purchase of these blocks are probably one of the most valuable "toy" choices I have and will make.

The craftmanship and detail approaches perfection while the variety of play becomes infinite. My son (4 years) continues to astound us with his imagination and engineering feats when he builds with the "Standard Unit Blocks." This will be his second box, allowing him to expand the existing set and enjoy his play even further.

This is a great set of standard unit/kindergarten blocks. They are a bargin at $50 for 60 blocks. I bought these for my oldest boy when he was 3. He is now 6. The blocks still look new. The best part about these blocks is they can be played with any other toy. When he was three they made houses and tunnels to go with Thomas the train. At four they made up the landscape for countless power ranger battles. At five they were the background for star wars. At six they are used for pokemon action figures. My youngest boy, now three, loves them as well. He uses them to run his toy cars and make castles.

We purchased a set for my brother-in-law when his boys where two and three. They are now five and six. They've thrown out just about every toy they had bought when the kids were small, but they still have the blocks. A great toy. Well made. The only toy we have that the kids never seem to outgrow.

Please be cautious if you have young children who might chew on these blocks! Some of the blocks have wood filler in them. My son mouthed a block with filler and was able to chew the filler off. When the filler is wet, you can scrape it off with your fingernail. Who knows what kind of glue and chemicals are used in the filler.

We purchased a set of these blocks almost a year ago, and our two kids have played with them every day since. The only problem we had with the set was that one side of the box had not been glued properly so was very easy for the kids to remove, which was easily fixed with some wood glue. The blocks themselves are of very high quality, and I especially like that all edges have been sanded down. Many sets that we looked at had sharper edges that worried us. Overall, we have been very happy with all of the products from Melissa and Doug that we have purchased, and this set is no exception. We're even thinking of purchasing another set because with two kids there never seems to be enough blocks.

We bought these blocks for our four year old son. They were a hit! Our 7yod and 2yod enjoy them as well. They are extremely durable and have rounded edges. They are solid blocks and are actual unit blocks instead of small blocks. I was tickled at what I got for the price. We are looking to buy 1-2 more sets so that we have plenty for all of their creations!

Heavy-duty, beautifully finished LARGE blocks. I thought my 5 year old might be getting too old for blocks. In fact, we've owned cheaper, smaller ones several times and they always fell down, frustrating the kids. When I asked her kindergarten teacher what interested her most at school, she told me "she would build all day if she could!". She gave me a catalog of a school supplier whose sets started at over $150.00! WAY out of my price range. I searched Amazon and found these and couldn't be happier (unless I ordered 2 sets!). Though she may be embarrassed to admit, I keep finding my 13 year-old building! This was the BEST price and I was lucky enough to get free shipping. You'll NEVER find THESE at a garage sale!

Our 4.5 year old son received this block set for Christmas from his godmother. He loves them (as do the 2 and 6 year old sisters). They are sturdy and the variety is great. He has constantly amazed us with his "creations". He also uses these blocks with his cars, trucks and legos to create whole cities. This was a perfect gift with the wooden storage box to boot!!! I would recommend this set to any boy or girl with a big imagination.

Our family received 2 sets of these blocks and they are well worth the money spent. I would highly recommend purchasing 2 sets at once (especially if free shipping is offered as this alone will save you a bundle of $$). This set is top quality (as we have found true of all the Melissa & Doug products we have purchased) and you will not be disappointed.