Gorilla Blocks

Saw these blocks in toys to grow on but they are available at Target or Amazon (just google it for the best price.) But on average, a 50 piece set is about $55. Large, interlocking blocks for building the biggest cities around. John would love these (and it's a possibility for Christmas this year.)

Quiet Hours Toys

This is a website after my own heart! http://www.quiethourstoys.com/, the name says it all. Good, fun, no frills toys to spark the imagination of your child. What more could you want.

This set of 20 building sticks is just $10 and leaves all the bells and whistles up to your child's creative mind!

This one may be out of my price range at $340 but I am guessing that this Ostheimer farmhouse is worth the price in quiet play time!
Finally, is one of my all time favs from when I was a child. Old fashioned paper dolls. I had a blast with these! I'm sure your little one will too.

Things we love (and want!)

At our house we love blocks. All kinds and all types. Mega blocks, kid knex, duplo blocks. They're all fun and spur creativity along with helping fine motor skills develop. John can spend an evening building with any of the above and Anna is trying too. They also use these blocks in school so they get lots of practice. You can find these blocks at walmart or toysrus (or http://www.toysrus.com/) online.

But now we've seen clipo and I think these will be wonderful for Anna! I know John will like them too but I think they will be perfect (and fun!) for Anna's skill level and I think we're all hoping Santa brings them this year!!

Magnetic Blocks at Kidsurplus.com

John LOVES building with blocks. All sorts of blocks, megablock, kid k'nex, duplo, lego. You name it, he loves to build with it. He loves the variety and the different things he can do with different blocks. I'm always on the look out for other fun blocks he can build with. It's great because he can use his imagination (he's always building ships and tractors, etc.) but it also helps with fine motor skills and co-ordination. Can't beat that!

Well, over at http://www.kidsurplus.com/ they have some great magnetic blocks for just $17.99 and magnetic shapes for under $14! I know there are hours of fun just waiting for kids with these!

Fun, cool and imaginative blocks for baby & toddler

What a great idea they have over at http://www.petitflaneur.etsy.com/ for blocks! They're a bit pricey at $52.00 but they do so many things. Here is their take on them:

Bok wooden blocks are a fresh take on a traditional toy, meant to span the age of infancy to children in their school years. The generous 2 x 2" (5 x 5 cm) blocks give young hands a nice object to hold onto. The 3 dimensional puzzle gives older children a fun, challenging activity and the apples and ice cream game (tic-tac-toe) is great for any age!All the blocks are hand printed with non-toxic, solvent and metal free inks; sanded; and finished with a food safe oil. The 12 block set contains various types of high quality, untreated reclaimed wood (unused hardwood scrap), ranging from maple, oak, walnut, cherry, and poplar- each set contains a unique combination of some or all of these woods.

Yes, in addition to bright and cute pictures, the blocks also for a 3 dimensional puzzle and have a printed tic tac toe game. I think they're great!