Melissa & Doug Standard Unit Solid-Wood Building Blocks With Wooden Storage Tray (60 pcs) Classic Wooden Blocks For Toddlers Ages 3+

As a mom of four young kids (ages 3 to 8), I’m always on the lookout for toys that are durable, open-ended, and can grow with them—and these Melissa & Doug wooden blocks absolutely deliver. I bought two sets so all four of my kids could build and play together without fighting over pieces, and I’m so glad I did.The quality is fantastic—solid wood, smooth edges, and a classic feel that reminds me of the toys I played with growing up. The blocks come in a sturdy wooden tray for storage, which helps keep things somewhat organized (as much as possible with kids!). The variety of shapes makes it easy for my kids to create everything from castles and towers to roads and cities for their cars and figurines.What I love most is how these blocks encourage creative thinking, teamwork, and problem-solving. All four of my kids—yes, even the toddler—will sit and play for long stretches of time. It’s a quiet, screen-free activity that never gets old.If you’re on the fence, just go for it. One set is great, but if you have multiple kids like I do, getting two was totally worth it. These are the kind of toys that will be around for years!

Good size, sturdy. Lots of fun. These blocks seem to be of great quality after weeks of play they still look like new

These really are 5 1/2 x 2 3/4 x 1 3/8 "standard unit block" sized (I just measured). This measures the same as the Caroline Pratt standard (from 1900's!) which Beka and OldFashioned blocks uses (and probably several others as well). Which means you'll likely be compatible with those sets if you buy this M&D set. (not sure if M&D ever change their "standard", or if other brands do... so measure to be sure! also, there could be small tolerance differences so if you worry, just get them all from one place).I have read (at the OldFashioned Blocks website) that M&D blocks are made from RubberWood, which comes from old Latex plantations in Asia. The side of the M&D box says Thailand, but let's be certain: the quality is _nice_, just as I would hope for and expect for a nice set of hardwood blocks. I love these. And the price is right. So ... unless you want to buy "made in America" only, save your money, these blocks are nice, real hardwood, and the wood is left natural with no chemicals to finish them.There is no chemical smell like some other reviewers said. Maybe there is a faint smell of lumber... Nothing that wont fade after a while. There is _no_ paint or laquer on the blocks, completely natural. They feel slightly dusty, like sawdust, that's ok, makes sense.The ends of the blocks are completely smooth, not rough at all. No wood pores showing there, except within just a couple of the sanded corners in the whole set.Overall the woodgrain is very fine and doesn't seem to be susceptible to splintering either. Nice quality here.They feel heavy and dense (I haven't compared to Maple, but...), and feel hard/durable.The corners are sanded really nicely. They should be safe to use for kids. No sharp edges.The wood boxes are really nice as well. The box seems to be made of the same material as the blocks, and are a unit high to boot (so you can use the storage box as something to build upon!). The box is finished nicely, not _as_ rounded as the blocks, but not sharp either, certainly not sharp, nor splintery. maybe you'd like to put the box up so your kids dont fall and split their heads on it since it does sit up high and would be a nice and solid thing to crack your head on ... but really, if they fall and hit it, it's their own fault, accidents happen! (don't blame the toy... sheesh).The box came filled with blocks AND styrofoam, which is a great idea to leave a little room for dumping the blocks back in (as they take more volume when not perfectly arranged).I got 4 sets: 2 of the "standard unit blocks" sets, and 2 of the "architectural unit blocks" sets from M&D - 208 blocks total, for $196.60 total and $0 shipping. They make for quite a pile on the floor, and I love the building possibilities here. For me, I wouldn't want any less. For you... maybe the least quantity I would buy is 2 sets of the "standard unit blocks" if I was really on a budget. Certainly you can buy 1 and continue to add on... it's easy.Rubberwood: Density: 560-640 kg/mt3Hard Maple/Sugar maple/Rock maple: Density: 720 kg/mt3Melissa&Doug at 94 cents each block (Chinese hardwood, imported) compared to Beka Blocks at $2.09 each block (which are made of HardMaple, made in USA).I like the M&D better! Or my wallet does...To me, it is the worst to run out of blocks when building. So the M&D set lets me get 2x the blocks as the competition for the same price at a comparable quality.I seriously see no difference in wood quality. The M&D set is really nice, and lets me get more blocks!I'd like to include a bill of materials here, but I just am too lazy. But I will tell you (from my own memory) it comes with 2 of the 2x unit blocks (nice to know there are really long pieces, though more than 2 would have been nice); no quad unit blocks at all; around 4 of the 1 unit (rectangle) blocks; several 1/2 (square); several 1/4 unit blocks (or 1/2 unit length square 'dowel' however you want to look at it). 4 round dowel unit length columns. 2 arches, and 2 half circles that fit in the arches, and 1 circle cut into 4 quarterrounds (kind of a neat piece to use to finish off a model). 4 ramps (1 unit block cut long ways into a wedge). I may be forgetting some pieces, but that gives you an idea of the Bill Of Materials...

One of my favorite things to do after the grandkids have gone home is to put all these wonderful blocks back in the box. They are so smooth and satisfying to handle, and make a great solid clunk. Our grandkids have been playing with them for years -- we bought two sets. The construction projects just get more complicated through the years.

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!