Haba Building Blocks Starter Set – 102 Piece Extra Large Wooden Starter Set
(Made in Germany) | 2021 Toy Review
Description: Haba Building Blocks Starter Set is a 102 piece extra large wooden block set is suitable for ages 1+ years. Made in Germany of sustainable unfinished beech wood from a German forest. Contents include 16 square blocks, 14 rectangular blocks, 16 slats, 8 triangles, 4 bridges, 10 columns, 34 special building blocks, and a sturdy fabric carrying tote. Shapes are standard units based on the European metric system with shape sizes that start in size from 4cm (1.75in. x 1.75in.) All of the other blocks are derived from this basic measurement and are larger. This symmetry means the various shapes easily combine while building.
This set is part of Haba’s “creative play system,” which is compatible with all other Haba Kaleidoscopic Building Blocks, and Haba Ball Track Marble Runs, and Haba’s first ball run. Haba’s unique approach to making the “creative play system” keeps your child from outgrowing the toy. The toddler toy can be used in combination with expansion sets for older children such as their marble runs. Adding additional sets such as the Haba basic or colored wooden block set provides older kids with the tools to create more sophisticated builds.
The Baby Penguin’s Toy Review consists of 5 standardized criteria categories:
Sustainability, Playability, Durability, Longevity, and Versatility.
(Click each category for a detailed description of why it’s important)
Each criteria category has 3 subcategories and can score up to 5 Baby Penguins per category if it’s Outstanding!
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1. Sustainability:
A. Product:
- The blocks are made from unfinished hardwood beechwood from sustainable forestry in Germany.
- Comes with a reusable cotton tote bag that is certified free of chemicals.
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B. Packaging:
- This block set comes in a recyclable cardboard box with a plastic handle for toy storage.
- Inside packaging does not contain plastic bags.
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C. Origin/Company:
- Haba favors the use of wood when making many of their toys as it is best for the environment and for children.
- Their wood is PEFC certified Beech and or Maple which means the wooden toys are made from timbers that are reforested.
- Haba uses only safe, non-toxic, water-based stains and lacquers on its products.
- On their packaging, they use recycled corrugated with as little foam or plastics as possible to package items.
- Learn more about HABA’s sustainable mission at HabaUSA Here.
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2. Playability:
A. Open-ended:
- Often European designed toys are classic, simple, non-gender-specific, and open-ended.
- Haba strives for open-ended play in most of the toys that they produce.
- They want children to be completely unaware of the educational benefits of each toy and to just enjoy the play.
- The Haba wooden block set is a very open-ended toy in regards to that the child gets to create a new build each time.
- Quite possibly the most open-ended toy available, that is a must for every family.
- This block set defines what open-ended playing is about.
- Standard unit blocks (larger style blocks) take the place of a need for most other toys.
- Blocks can be made into a house, a barn, a spaceship, or anything your child can dream up.
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B. Active Parent engagement:
- Parents will love helping their kids successfully design and create simple towers to sophisticated structures.
- This is a STEM toy that gives parents the opportunity to introduce engineering and design to their kids.
- This is a great family toy that engages babies to older kids with their parents.
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C. Playtime:
- In my house, the Haba blocks never get rotated out. The blocks entertain my 3 youngest children ages 3, 7, and 12. My kids have stacking competitions or build the most ornate castles and architectural structures. They add figures or cars to their structures. They work at creating symmetrical structures with architectural interest never knowing that they are using their spatial reasoning skills.
- Read about it more in my Best Toy Blocks Review HERE.
- This wonderfully open-ended toy gets used in my house daily.
- Toddlers will not outgrow this toy as it will be used in more complex and different ways in conjunction with other toys as your child ages.
- This toy is also great for family playtime as it encourages families to design and build together and it is fun even for adults.
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3. Durability:
A. Craftmanship:
- Haba wooden toys are beautifully crafted.
- When you hold the wooden toy or piece in your hand, you can feel the dense heavy wood with fine details.
- Each piece of this wooden block set has a lovely finish.
- The quality is unmatched and is heirloom quality.
- The blocks are unfinished well-sanded wood.
- Toy quality like this is not common these days.
- Haba toys do not cut corners on craftsmanship and will not disappoint in terms of function or quality.
- The block set is beautiful to look at because of the design and craftsmanship.
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B. Quality:
- In terms of quality, this is a top-notch toy. Most toy companies in my opinion do not make toys of this caliber of quality.
- The block set will be a beautiful addition to your toy collection, lasting for many years to come.
- The wooden run smells of fresh-cut wood.
- The wooden blocks are crafted well with a nice weight to them making them attractive to toddlers, older children, and adults.
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C. Price/Value:
- I am a firm believer that you get what you pay for in most cases.
- This is a toy that will be with your family for years growing with your child/children.
- The price point for this toy is just about $139 in the United States.
- This is a German-made toy that sells for around $100 in Europe.
- For my family, I’d rather have fewer toys that are more expensive than more cheap low-quality toys that head for the landfill.
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4. Longevity:
A. Landfill or Heirloom:
- The Haba block set is 100% heirloom quality.
- These types of heirloom quality toys are hard to come by.
- My Haba blocks are something I will hand down to the next generation.
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B. Lifespan of Toy (Age Range):
- Haba toys grow with your child.
- Haba’s “creative play system” allows this toy to grow with your child from 18+ months to 12 years old and even beyond.
- There are not many toys out there that can be appropriate and fun for babyhood to older childhood.
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C. Multi-age Families:
- The wooden block set is perfect for multi-aged families because there are no choking hazards to worry about and are for kids ages 1 to 12.
- An added benefit is that this set promotes older children to help younger siblings build and engage.
- We love having add-on components to the block set such as the HABA ball run, and the HABA marble run.
- The options are endless for kids of all ages to design and implement builds.
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5. Versatility:
A. Combinable with other toys:
- HABA makes this “creative play system” by having all the ball, marble, and block sets work together.
- First, the different sets that you purchase allow you to create more.
- Second, Many endless possibilities with the ball/marble run combination or ball/block set combination.
- HABA wooden blocks are the perfect basic toy to play with in conjunction with other toys.
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B. Creativity Function:
- If I had to choose only 1 toy for my family of multiple aged children, this ranks #1.
- I love how the sky is the limit for open-ended toys such as this.
- Building blocks enable children to fashion their own worlds because they are an especially creative toy.
- Using blocks helps develop cognitive skills like patterns, matching, and problem-solving.
- Constructive play develops fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and manipulation.
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C. Storage:
- This comes in a box with a handle for storage.
- Haba’s basic block sets come with additional generously sized storage canvas bags as a nice bonus.
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Final Review for Haba Building Blocks Starter:
Overall, I highly recommend this toy for your family even with the high price point. First, you cannot go wrong with any of the wooden construction type “creative play system” components that Haba offers. Second, Haba delivers beautifully crafted high-quality heirloom wooden toys. This type of open-ended educational and creatively functional toy is a must for any family’s toy collection. Third, if I could choose only one toy for my children, these Haba Building Blocks Starter Set would be it. Haba’s beautiful wooden block sets will enhance any play area or room. Finally, Haba blocks can be passed down from generation to generation. They are classic, timeless, and unsurpassed quality. These Haba Basic Building Blocks define what an heirloom toy should be.
Haba Building Blocks Starter replaces the need for many other toys in your home. Don’t underestimate the creative and educational power of a simple set of standard unit blocks such as these. The HABA blocks are quite possibly the best toy you could gift to your child for their entire childhood. Not many toys that stimulate your baby continue engaging your 10-year-old. These HABA blocks have some of the longest lifespans of any toy that you will ever own period. Adding on additional block sets over time as your child ages allow them to build more complex architectural structures.
Your children will enter that “zone” (engaging concentration) during playtime which is helping in their development.
You will also enjoy your time building together which is a win in my opinion. In conclusion, you cannot go wrong with any of the Haba wooden construction blocks and your family will love them for years to come.
Final Baby Penguin Meter: 5 out of 5
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