This is part two in a series of reviews of pretty much every building system I can think of…and believe me, I can think of a lot of them. Don’t forget to go back and read part one (DUPLO and LEGO).
Bristle Blocks
Ages 18m+
Not a specific brand, but a description of a type of block produced by several manufacturers. These brightly colored plastic blocks are covered with (you guessed it) bristles that allow the blocks to stick together like Velcro. They’re lightweight for their size and come in a fairly limited number of shapes. They’re also sold under the brand name Krinkles.
Pros: Because any piece will stick to any other piece from almost any direction, these blocks are exceptionally easy for children who haven’t yet mastered those fine motor skills. They’re also the elusive “blocks for babies” that people seem to be looking for, with no small or sharp pieces. Even very young children can easily build tall towers with these blocks. A revival in popularity has led to bristle-compatible add-ons, such as people, wheels, and spinners, all of which stick to the bristle blocks. While these aren’t my children’s go-to blocks, they get pulled out with some degree of regularity and have for several years.
Cons: If you have a biter/chewer, you may end up with de-bristled bristle blocks. The little tines are fairly easy for a dedicated (and sharp-toothed) toddler to nip off. Though structures with flat-stacked blocks are nigh indestructible, bristle blocks stacked on their edges tend to fall apart too easily, which can lead to child frustration.
Set to buy to get started: Parents Bristle Blocks Basic (pricey) or Krinkles 50 Piece Set (cheap)
Ease of use: High
Sturdiness: Moderate
Likelihood of being swallowed/choked on by younger siblings: Low
Degree of pain when stepped on by a parent: Surprisingly Low
Period of time spent as “favorite toy ever!”: Moderate
Overall Rating: B
TRIO Building System
Ages 3-5
Plastic cube-shaped bricks that snap together easily. Rather than external pegs (like LEGO and DUPLO), TRIO blocks connect end to end with a slightly recessed top edge in multiple directions with short straight or curved sticks. Some sets include triangular fins/wings, eyeballs on stick stalks, and figurines. There are also several themed sets (DC comics, castle, and police are a few examples).
Pros: These blocks do snap together easily. The directions accompanying each set are simple enough for a child to follow. Tank was able figure out which pieces were needed to assemble the various critters in the Crazy Creatures set. The resulting creatures are very cute. The price is also right — just $10 for a 54-piece set!
Cons: Unfortunately, these pieces snap apart as easily as they snap together. Any pressure on the structure (adding an additional piece on top) can send the whole thing crashing down. Frustration and tantrums follow. Though the blocks go together easily, the sticks don’t snap into the blocks evenly unless you insert them just right, which usually requires an adult. We ended up putting these blocks away after two days of use, because we were tired of Tank’s exasperated hollering.
Set to start with: Crazy Creatures if you just want a sample or TRIO Building Set with Storage if you want a full starter kit.
Ease of use: Moderate
Sturdiness: Low
Likelihood of being swallowed/choked on by younger siblings: Low
Degree of pain when stepped on by a parent: Low-Moderate
Period of time spent as “favorite toy ever!”: Low
Overall Rating: D
Next up: Kid K’nex and that oldie, but goodie, Tinker Toys
Disclaimer: All curriculum and product reviews here at Smrt Lernins are completely unsolicited and unsponsored. I don’t get money, freebies, or anything else for sharing my opinions about products. I am speaking entirely from personal experience or sharing information publicly available on product websites. If that ever changes, you’ll be the first to know.
