Smrt Lernins

Captain Science received an original Hexbug from his Aunt Deva for his birthday. He has really been wanting one and was pleased as punch to get it. You can imagine my horror when Babypie sneaked into his room (while I was in the bathroom) and popped off half of its little legs. She didn’t cause any structural damage, but the metal pin responsible for holding the legs on disappeared into the carpet (or her mouth, who knows?).

I emailed the company that night, asking if we could get a replacement pin. The next morning, I received an email from a Mr. Ford telling me that he was getting approval to send us a pin. A short period of time later, he emailed me back, letting me know the replacement had been shipped. A notification from UPS arrived within 30 minutes after that.

Today, just two days after speaking with Mr. Ford, a box arrived from Innovation First via UPS. It did not contain a replacement pin. Instead, it contained this:

A replacement bug, a set of replacement batteries for the bug, and two Hexbug stickers! I am more than surprised — I am overwhelmed and flabbergasted. It might seem like a relatively small thing (the bugs aren’t very expensive), but for a business to go so far beyond the call of customer service in this day and age of customer non-service was such a pleasant shock. I was willing to pay for a replacement pin. I was grateful to be sent a replacement pin for free. I never expected a business to not only replace our broken item completely for free, but send us additional pieces as well.

If you’re still looking for a gift for your 8+ year old this holiday season, I cannot recommend Hexbugs strongly enough. Not only are these toys SUPER COOL for any kid who likes bugs, robots, or both, but this is a company that stands by its products and then some. We should reward good businesses. I plan to get more Hexbugs (Tank has been asking for a “robot crab” and they make one!) and I’ll continue to recommend them to others.

Innovation First also makes the VEX Robotics system for those of you with teens or adults who are into robotics. They make classroom bundles of VEX robotics systems and sell robotics curricula if you’re thinking of starting a homeschool robotics club, team, or class. The Autodesk VEX Robotics Curriculum is included for free if you buy 4 or 8 pack classroom robotics bundles. I am seriously considering getting this for Captain Science in a few years!

I believe in supporting good businesses that provide excellent service and great products. I think Hexbugs/Innovation First has demonstrated it provides both of these. We <3 Hexbugs! Thank you for lifting our spirits today and showing us that some companies remember that people are the driving force behind any business.

Here is the third in my series of WAHM-made Christmas shopping suggestions, for those of you looking for The Big One. This list will help you find that one awesome gift, the central focus of your child’s holiday extravaganza, that “best thing ever” item that your child will be talking about for months, maybe years, to come. Of course, kids aren’t the only ones who enjoy opening that one special gift on Christmas, so I’ll be sure to include gifts for the big, big kids on your list, too!

You can read my previous list of gifts $25 and under and stocking stuffers to get an broader idea of what craftsparents have to offer your family this Christmas!

Standard Disclaimer: None of these recommendations are solicited in any way. This list is based solely on items I think are cute or that we have and love ourselves. All of the products are made by small businesses owned by mothers, father, and/or grandparents who are trying to generate an additional source of income. They’re all made by hand (ie. not mass produced) and often of “green” (eco-friendly) materials. Many WAHM-made items are one of a kind or limited production items, so if you love it, snag it while you can! Of course, many WAHMs will gladly make customs, so if you can’t get the item you want, don’t despair. Email them and find out if they offer customs options

• Imaginative play doesn’t require batteries. It doesn’t need flashing lights. All it takes is that perfect toy to help spark your child’s creativity and get that little imagination going. Help your little one imagine an exciting fishing adventure with this colorful fishing set from Bright Life Toys (fabric/felt, ages 3+, $45). Currently out of stock, but likely to be back in time for Christmas, is the popular campfire set (fabric, ages 3+, $35). Pair the fishing and camping sets with a mini pop-up tent and create the ultimate imaginary outdoors experience!
• Every child needs at least one well-made, beautiful doll. I think Waldorf dolls, with their all natural materials, wool stuffing (warms to your child’s body temperature), and simple faces make a wonderful companion for any child. They’re worth every penny, as each one is carefully handcrafted and unique. Here are a few of my favorites: 16″ Lea (ages 3+, $189) or 20″ Marina mermaid doll (all ages, $135) from Polar Bear Creations; 15.5″ Madeleine (no age listed, $175) or 18″ Phoebe (no age listed, $180) from Wool Creations (who also has custom slots available; 13″ Snuggles (age >3, $50) from Willow’s Nestings.
• For your little ones who love toys that move and go, a handcrafted wooden double decker car hauler or construction set ($38.50 each) from Grandpa John’s Wooden Toys could be just the ticket. These things are indestructible and absolutely lovely.
• If you have a husband, boyfriend, father, older son, or any other man in your life who uses a bladed razor to shave, spoil him this holiday says with this Sky shaving set or Embers shaving set (acrylester, chrome, nylon bristles, $94.00 each) from Thornbush Pens. Sets include razor, brush, and a stand to keep them in perfect position. Consider pairing them with one of the shaving soaps ($4/bar) from Country Soaps by Marlene and a green stoneware shaving mug ($28.50) from Virginia Wyoming Eclectic Pottery studio for a thoughtful gift.
• Got a crafty knitter mama on your gift list (or maybe you’re a crafty knitter mama and need to point someone in this direction)? A good project bag is a must for an on-the-go knitter — it prevents tangling, protects your projects from kids and pets, keeps you from losing all those pesky stitch markers, and just makes the whole shebang a lot more portable. For the sock knitter, this pink anime Kipster Knitting Project Bag ($34.50) from Zoe’s Bag Boutique is an adorable way to tote an in-progress pair. For larger projects, like longies or a child’s sweater, this pink flowers Chaco Project Bag ($27.50) from Chaco Creations can hold 2-4 cakes of yarn and all the tools you need. For full-sized projects (and the full-sized patterns that may come with them), Chaco Creations also offers the Santa Fe Backpack ($55), large enough to accommodate even the biggest projects. Fill that bag with pretty multi-colored stitch markers ($3/set of 5) from Paty’s Loveys, some festive Candy Cane yarn ($20/skein) from DiscoBabyKnits at Tiny Lady Cooperative, and a Namaste circular needle case ($20) from Nurturing Threads.
• The perfect gift comes in many colors. Pair all the part of this Rainbow After the Rain set (all ages) from Beneath the Rowan Tree and your little gift-receiver will get to enjoy all the colors of imagination. The set pieces are listed individually and include a wooden rainbow stacker ($12/five pieces), a set of 6 11″ “fairy silkies” (handkerchief sized playsilks) in a rainbow spectrum ($16.50/set of six), and a set of 6 35″ playsilks in a rainbow spectrum ($55/set of six).
• This Lotus Flower Family Garden Necklace (sterling silver, $48)from Anna Ourth Jewelry is a beautiful way for a mother to commemorate the births of her children. The lotus blossom pendant comes with three stamped name charms (additional charms can be added for $5 each) with birth stone crystals. A classic, lovely gift for any mother or grandmother.
• Maybe Santa is bringing your child or grandchild (or godchild or…any child!) a new play kitchen. What could be a more perfect gift for the budding chef than this Little Baker Cookie Set ($40) from Nana’s Toy Box. A festive gift box comes filled with a gingerbread apron, a wooden rolling pin, a sheet of pretend rolled dough and uncooked cookies, and four decorated play gingerbread cookies. A “delicious” treat!
• If your child is more interested in the pastoral than the pastries, this beautiful wooden farm set ($40/11 piece set) from Anne Moze All Wood Toys could fill up his/her barn! This hand-carved, hand-painted set includes a farmer and his wife, a milk cow, a goat, a rooster and hen, a goose and gosling, a sow and her piglet, and a little dog, too!

These are just a few samplings of the wonderful WAHM-made items available at sites like Hyena Cart and Etsy. Give yourself time to search and explore; you might find something even better than what I’ve listed here!

Here is the second in my series of WAHM-made Christmas shopping suggestions. You can read my previous list of for gifts $25 and under to get an broader idea of what craftsparents have to offer your family this Christmas!

Standard Disclaimer: None of these recommendations are solicited in any way. This list is based solely on items I think are cute or that we have and love ourselves. All of the products are made by small businesses owned by mothers, father, and/or grandparents who are trying to generate an additional source of income. They’re all made by hand (ie. not mass produced) and often of “green” (eco-friendly) materials. Many WAHM-made items are one of a kind or limited production items, so if you love it, snag it while you can! Of course, many WAHMs will gladly make customs, so if you can’t get the item you want, don’t despair. Email them and find out if they offer customs options

• Whether you have a toddler who loves his play kitchen, a child who enjoys imaginative fairy play, or a teenager who is into Super Mario Bros, you’ll find a great home for this assortment of rainbow mushrooms (washable acrylic yarn) from Jody’s Designs. At only $12 for a set of 6, that’s a “one up” you can feel pretty super about. If mushrooms aren’t your thing, Jody’s Designs also offers a set of rainbow muffins ($12/set of 6, acrylic yarn).
• Make getting clean fun this Christmas with cotton candy animal soaps from The Rumor Mill Soaps ($6.50/bar). Also available in a toy soldier variety ($6.00/bar).
• Portable and reusable: two words that parents love to hear! Mini I-Spy Chalkmats from Aliah’s Creations ($7, chalk cloth, print fabric, and denim) at Wonderland will roll up for an easy fit in a stocking or in a “go bag” for car travel.
• Playsilks are one of the most versatile playthings in the toybox. They can be uses for dressup, for carrying a dolly around, as scenery for playing with dinosaurs or cars. They come in a wide array of sizes and colors. I like these mini playsilks (11″ x 11″) from Vivid Tribe ($3 each), this Rainbow Playsilk (35″ x 35″) from Earth Store ($10), and this elemental set of three (35″ by 35″) from Beneath the Rowan Tree ($35.50/set of three).
• Speaking of Beneath the Rowan Tree (and I often do), they’re listing several adorable sets of natural toys (available on November 19th) that would fill up a little one’s stocking perfectly, like this Moondrop doll, wooden teether, and mini “Bitty Bu” comfort blanket set ($35). You can see all the sets available on the Beneath the Rowan Tree store. Talk about one-stop shopping!
• For the readers on your shopping list, you might consider a beautiful beaded bookmark by Adorn ($14-16, stainless steel and glass or clay beads) at WAHM Nation or a Trio of Kokeshi bookmarks from Becky’s Paper Creations ($5.50/set of three, laminated paper with yarn/ribbon tassels).
• One of my absolute favorite stocking stuffers is an “I Spy” Bag. These awesome little bags hold hidden treasures and come with a reference card for searching for them. Choose your own fabrics and special theme items (including name beads) with these custom treasure bags ($4 for small, $9 for medium, $12 for large) from Corinne’s Treasure Hunts at Creative Mamas.
• The knitters on your list deserve some goodies, too. You can never have too many sets of stitch markers and they’re a perfect gift to sneak into the toe of a stocking. If you’ve got clothdiapering knitters to shop for, try these EviePants AIO Stitch Markers from EviePants Wool that indicate the beginning of a round, the left and right hips, and center back for knitting longies/shorties/soakers ($4/set of four). Sock knitters will enjoy these delicate silver bullet sock stitch markers from Pitterpat ($3.75/set of 8). For your loved ones who knit large projects, these Rowan Tree large stitch markers from Pitterpat at Bitty Fluff are stunning.
• My kids love the simplicity of wooden cars. The Speedy Duo from Cars from Papa ($16/set of two) or this set of “Smart” vehicles from Grandpa John’s Wooden Toys ($18/set of three) would fit just right into most stockings and will provide endless hours of creative play.
• Encourage the art of handwriting with this beautiful butterfly stationery set from Becky’s Paper Creations at Necessitae ($6/10 sheets & envelopes) and this elegant holly slimline pen from Thornbush Pens ($11, wooden case with optional engraving available for additional cost).
• A gourmet lip balm is a nice stocking stuffer, but you know what’s better? An assortment of gourmet lip balms! More specifically, a Happy Birthday Cake lip balm collection from Clear Hills Honey Company ($13.95/set of four). Yum!
• Knockout Lotion from Frost Fish Cove Soaps ($10 for 4oz) is the best lotion ever in this whole world. Smells delicious and really well help you, your kids, and/or anybody else to whom you’d like to gift a bottle settle into a gentle, easy sleep. Put this in a stocking and reap the benefits! I recommend the vanilla lavender.

Ok, I think that’s a long enough list for now! Go, shop, enjoy!

I like to start my Christmas shopping early. I actually bought one of Babypie’s Christmas presents for this year back around her first birthday. I’m going to post my (in progress) list for the kids here so that a) you can see its awesomeness, b) it’s all written down somewhere for me to look at, and c) so if you see a glaring hole in the list, you can make a recommendation. *Denotes a “Santa” present (and while Captain Science is in the know about the whole Santa thing, he still gets under-the-tree stuff from Santa. SO THERE. OH THE LIES AND HUMANITY!) and ** denotes stocking. Anything else is wrapped.

Captain Science
*Flip video camera (probably one of the older models, like this one)
*Some kind of easy-to-use video editing software
*LEGO Hogwarts Board Game
Black t-shirt w/ cool sprayed-on raven design
**Set of three knitted monster chunks
**LEGO grab bag (got it at the LEGO store in Downtown Disney)
**LEGO figure (won’t know which one until he opens it!)

The Tank
*Dinosaur Island playset (yes, we have to order the damn thing from the UK, but it’s exactly what I wanted to get him and there’s no domestically-available equivalent I can find)
*/**More dinosaurs of various sizes, because one cannot have too many dinosaurs (maybe some neat wooden dinosaurs from someplace like here
*Bzz Out board game
*Feed the Kitty board game
**Orange squishy cup (no monster included, this pic is just for example)
**Knitted monster w/ pocket, but instead of making the baby, I’m going to stuff the pocket full of something else.
**LEGO figure (won’t know which one until he opens it!)

Babypie
*Tea Party Motif play kitchen and refrigerator (got them deeply discounted at Costco.com — $70 for the set, shipping included!)
*The kitchen will be stocked with vegetables, fruit, breakfast, dessert, and kitchen utensils from IKEA. (Hey, I didn’t get the cookware, baking set, or utensils, so I feel like I’m doing ok)
*Ergo baby doll carrier in the Heartrose print (same print as my full-size Ergo — got this half-off at Babysteals.com back in the spring)
**Knitted Daphne and Delilah (monster mom & baby)
**Luna sweater for her babies

I’ve kept a personal blog (on another blogging site that allows more privacy) for the last nine years. For the last few years, I’ve posted lists of my recommendations for the best Work-At-Home Mom (WAHM)-made items for Christmas. I usually break them down into a few lists: stocking stuffers, under $25, The Gift (as in, The Big One), and last minute buys.

None of these recommendations are solicited in any way, though I did get an entry in a contest for linking to the Homegrown Families giveaway (which I found because I was already a fan of Polar Bear Creations, which was going on the list regardless). This list is based solely on items I think are cute or that we have and love ourselves. All of the products are made by small businesses owned by mothers, father, and/or grandparents who are trying to generate an additional source of income. They’re all made by hand (ie. not mass produced) and often of “green” (eco-friendly) materials. Many WAHM-made items are one of a kind or limited production items, so if you love it, snag it while you can! Of course, many WAHMs will gladly make customs, so if you can’t get the item you want, don’t despair. Email them and find out if they offer customs options.

• I absolutely love this Rainbow Pancake Breakfast from Bright Life Toys, Ages 3+, $25. I have a weakness for play food and this set is adorable! Made from micro/polar fleece. Bright Life Toys also offers a more traditional Pancake Breakfast for $20.
• While I’m on a Bright Life Toys kick, I have to recommend Citron the Elephant and Dawn the Elephant at Crunchy Congo, Ages 0+ months, $25 each. Made from hand-dyed cotton velour.
• Waldorf dolls aren’t in everyone’s price range, but the durable construction and natural materials make them appealing to many families. A more affordable option might be the Waldorf-Inspired Doll Mini Baby in purple with animals or brown with flowers from Polar Bear Creations, Ages 0+ months, $19.50 each. Made from 100% cotton fabric and stuffed with clean, carded sheep wool. You can also enter to win a Polar Bear Creations custom babydoll fromHomegrown Families and free is WAY cheaper than $25.
• We love the simplicity of unpainted wooden cars. I have always thought one of the coolest things ever is this wooden puzzle truck from Grandpa John’s Wooden Toys, Ages “can sit up alone”+, $24. Made of poplar wood. We have several car sets from Grandpa John’s and Tank and Babypie absolutely love them. Nice, chunky size and shape for small hands!
• These lists aren’t entirely about babies & kids! If you have a knitter on your list (or if you’re a knitter and have family who are better you for ideas), you should consider one of these beautifully hand-crafted yarn bowls from String Bean Ceramics (stocking at Capella), $25. Made from glazed wheel thrown clay with hand-carved designs, these bowls are a great way to keep balls of yarn from getting tangled, rolling away, or falling victim to kids or pets!
• I really enjoy wooden playsets. I like how the pieces feel and that it’s not a giant hunk of plastic that my kids are playing with. I really love these Wooden Pond/Frogs and Wooden Cave/Habitat playsets from Anne Moze All Wood Toys, no age range listed, $20 and $25, respectively. These sets have a wonderful organic shape to them and are made of lightly sanded (splinter-free, but not sacrificing the natural texture of the wood) pine, stained with non-toxic acrylic paint (where relevant), and sealed with walnut oil. Anne Moze also sells a wide array of wooden figurines to go with these playsets, any of which would be great under the tree or in a stocking.
• Ok, so it always comes back to play food. I love play food, ok? My kids love play food. I’m practically giddy over this Wool Turkey with Cornbread Stuffing, Mashed Potatoes/Gravy, and Cranberry Sauce set from Fair Trade Family, no age range listed, $15. Made from wool/mohair blend yarn and stuffed with wool. Since Fair Trade Family is happy to combine shipping, you may as well throw in some cupcakes with swappable frosting (cotton $6.35 each, wool $8 each) or banana split set (cotton yarn, $12).

This is part three in my ongoing series of Building Blocks for Beginners, where I breakdown all the many building systems in a way that only a bored homeschooling mom on summer break can do. If this doesn’t put you at your building system limit, you can read part one (DUPLO and LEGO) and part two (bristle blocks and TRIO). If you have other building systems you’d like to see rates on my uber-scientific scale and put to the rigorous scientific testing of the McLernins Mad Science Laboratory, let me know! We’re always on the lookout for more building toys. Our motto: If you sell, we’ll buy it and build something with it that looks nothing like the example on the box!

Kid K’nex
Ages: 3-7

Kid K’nex, the junior line of the K’nex building system, is a brightly-colored (and I mean brightly colored, lots of neon colors!) system of intersnapping/interlocking brick blocks, wheels, sticks (or “rods”), connectors, and other shapes. The brick blocks are DUPLO-compatible, which means Kid K’nex can extend the life of your DUPLO blocks beyond very early childhood. Most of the pieces are hard plastic, but some are a more flexible plastic, allowing children to build curving shapes. Kid K’nex come in a wide variety of small kits, each with a different them, all usable with each other, which have various vehicle or animal parts. They also have a full line of Sesame Street themed kits. Look for larger sets on Amazon.com or in toy stores, as the website does not show the full line of available products.

Pros: Kid K’nex have a life that lasts far beyond the age recommendations. Tank started playing with the larger Kid K’nex pieces from around age 2 and Captain Science still plays with them frequently at almost 10. Kid K’nex are one of the few toys where the boys will play together peacefully. Most of the pieces are incredibly durable and have held up to 5+ years of regular play. The rods and connectors pack very flat, so you can fit a lot of them into a storage bin. Some sets even come with a hard-sided storage case. The larger pieces are baby-friendly, so even Babypie can “play” Kid K’nex.

Cons: Most of the pieces are sturdy, but a few have not held up well. Certain animal sets come (or came, at least) with flexible foam accent pieces — a lion’s mane with a circus animal/train set, for example. The foam pieces were easily and quickly ripped to shreds. The tiny blue rods are small enough to fit in a baby’s mouth (and possibly to be swallowed) and the next-size-larger short white rods may fit into some babies’ mouths, so these pieces need to be watched carefully around small children. The long, flexible red rods can develop permanent kinks in them after a lot of use. The biggest con, however, is that no matter how many Kid K’nex you have, you will never have enough of them to make sure everyone has enough of whatever piece it is that they want.

Set to buy to get started: Kid K’nex Big Building Tub has a nice assortment of pieces at a low price. The Kid K’nex Education sets are also great.

Ease of use: High
Sturdiness: High
Likelihood of being swallowed/choked on by younger siblings: Low to Moderate (cull small pieces if used near <2s)
Degree of pain when stepped on by a parent: Low
Period of time spent as “favorite toy ever!”: High
Overall Rating: A+

Tinkertoys
Ages: 3+

The aptly subtitled “classic construction set,” Tinkertoys have been around for almost a hundred years and are still going strong, with only minimal redesigns to the the set, which was (according to Wikipedia) based on “the Pythagorean progressive right triangle.” Available in two materials, the new plastic and the classic wood, with few flashy add-ons (you get fins, you get wheels, and you may get a plastic piece or two that looks like part of a rocket ship), Tinkertoys are the ultimate open-ended building system. The sets are comprised primarily of sticks of various lengths, spool-like connectors, and short end-caps to hold everything together.

Pros: Like Kid K’nex, Tinkertoys have an exceptional creative shelf-life. My boys have happily played with the same set of wooden Tinkertoys for years and will play with them for hours at a time. Tank recently received an all-plastic set, which is splinter proof and as easy to use as the wooden pieces. These toys are built tough and have many possibilities for play. They come in a cylindrical bin for easy storage. The classic wooden sets are great for parents who like to minimize plastic toys. The wooden sets are also very affordable for the number of pieces.

Cons: Because Tinkertoys are so beloved, pieces have walked off over the years, leaving the original set short on a few pieces. Individual pieces aren’t readily available for sale, however, so to replace necessary components, you’ll need to get at least the smallest Mini Set. Though generally durable, the wooden stick can snap, leaving behind a jagged, splintery edge. The plastic pieces don’t snap easily, but don’t grip quite as well as the wooden pieces. The smallest end caps are a choking hazard for small children, so need to be watched carefully or culled if your bigger kids are playing around the smaller ones.

Set to buy to get started: The wooden Tinkertoy Jumbo Builder Set is the best bet. If you prefer plastic, the more expensive 200 piece plastic construction set is the way to go.

Ease of use: High
Sturdiness: Moderate-High
Likelihood of being swallowed/choked on by younger siblings: Low to Moderate (cull small pieces if used near <2s)
Degree of pain when stepped on by a parent: Low
Period of time spent as “favorite toy ever!”: High
Overall Rating: A

Next Up: Gears!Gears!Gears! and unit blocks

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.

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.

Now that we have celebrated Tank’s 4th birthday, with all of the gift opening, I think we now own every block-, brick-, or stick-based building system known to man child. The following is the first in a series of reviews of our various building systems for your building system buying pleasure.

DUPLO
Ages: 1 1/2+

DUPLO, or “those giant LEGOS” as we like to call them, are essentially Baby’s First Building system. Sets come in a wide array of prices and sizes. DUPLOS are bright primary colors, have all the standard LEGO shapes writ large, and are also available in multiple themed/character sets, with wheels, figurines, architectural add-ons (windows and doors), and other accessories that can snap to the blocks.

Pros: Giant blocks fit easily into toddler hands, snap together easily, and come apart with minimal adult help required. The structures they build won’t fall over or fall apart. The pieces are too large to fit easily into small mouths. These blocks will likely survive a nuclear blast.

Cons: DUPLO blocks take up a lot of storage space due to their size and shape(s) and didn’t remain favorites in our house for very long once other building systems were introduced. There’s also something about the noise they make when they clack together in a container that absolutely grates on my nerves.

Set to buy to get started: DUPLO Large Brick Box

Ease of use: High
Sturdiness: High
Likelihood of being swallowed/choked on by younger siblings: Low
Degree of pain when stepped on by a parent: Moderate
Period of time spent as “favorite toy ever!”: Low
Overall Rating: B-

LEGO
Ages: 4+

LEGO is the gold standard of building systems, the one building toy that nearly every child in the world will recognize. Its iconic blocks-with-prongs shape has been often imitated, but I’ve yet to find a product that has improved on that design. It has product tie-ins to nearly every television show and movie, plus multiple original lines, but at the end of the day, it’s the plain old snapping block that has won our hearts.

Pros: A box of LEGOs provides endless possibilities that will entertain my children for, quite literally, hours at a time. They are one of the few toys that both children can play with together in relative peace and quiet (as long as enough LEGOs are available and no one needs to dispute ownership of specific pieces). Ignore all the fancy-pants sets and you have a fantastic open-ended, low tech toy with years of entertainment value. Easy to store, too!

Cons: Tiny plastic blocks and babies/small toddlers don’t mix. I’ve fished many a LEGO from Babypie’s mouth, not to mention out of a/c vents, drains, crevices of furniture, etc. Basic block sets can be difficult to find in stores, which seem to favor the themed building sets and step-by-step “build this one product” sets — BORING! LEGO is occasionally guilty of unnecessary genderizing — were a blue box set (with wheels) and a pink box set (with horsies and house parts) really necessary? Couldn’t one large set have included both?

Set to buy to get started: LEGO Large Brick Box

Ease of use: Low to Moderate (depending on set)
Sturdiness: Moderate to High (depending on set)
Likelihood of being swallowed/choked on by younger siblings: High
Degree of pain when stepped on by a parent: High
Period of time spent as “favorite toy ever!”: High
Overall Rating: A

Next up: TRIO Building System and Bristle Blocks

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.