PlanToys 50 Unit Block Set | 5502 | Wooden Toy Review
In this article, I am going to give you an honest look at a top-selling 50 Unit Block Set by PlanToys. I will give an in-depth Sustainable Toy Review. But first, my name is Christina and I have had the opportunity to go hands-on with many toys while parenting five kids spanning 19 years. I always call it the good, the bad, and the ugly with the toys I have seen. Owning an e-commerce toy store alongside my parenting of 5 children has given me more toy experience than I have ever thought I would have. I have also had the pleasure of speaking with the President and CEO of major Toy manufacturers asking for my advice on different toys and have been featured on several podcasts.
I will bring all my experience and knowledge together to give you the most comprehensive toy review possible. A product description will be given and then my Sustainable Toy Review for 50 Unit Block Set by PlanToys, Pros/Cons, and an FAQ featuring: Where do the 50 Unit Block Set by PlanToys fit into the sustainable toy category? Who is PlanToys? What are the blocks made of? Is it eco-friendly?
Blocks are a great way to stimulate children’s interest and desire in building things.
This set consists of 12 shapes and a total of 50 blocks. For more than 30 years, PlanToys has been consistently developing its products and activities with a strong commitment to contribute positively to the world. By implementing best practices and taking innovation of toy-making and design to the next level, PlanToys is not only known as being the first company to manufacture wooden toys from preservative-free rubber wood, we are a leading company that has created a new material and process as part of our zero waste goals.
Continuing our commitment to a sustainable future, PlanToys has introduced PlanWood as another high-quality, safe, and sustainable material in our toy-making process. This material will be used in harmony with our solid rubber wood. PlanWood is an eco-friendly material because the waste is minimized and fewer trees are reclaimed. The less energy, used to produce PlanWood ultimately reduces our environmental impact. PlanToys values have been rooted in embracing Mother Nature. The company has grown its green values into values of Sustainable Play. Sustainable Play is the foundation of how our toys cultivate creative minds and bring children closer to nature.
Product Description:
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A great way to stimulate children’s interest and desire in building things.
- This 50-piece set consists of 12 shapes.
- Provides hours of fun.
- For ages 3 years and above.
- Made from sustainable rubberwood and coated with a non-toxic finish, all colors are made from vegetable dye.
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Product Dimensions: 2.75 x 5.51 x 1.38 inches
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Product Weight: 10.34 lbs.
| Best Sellers Rank | #385,281 in Toys & Games (See Top 100 in Toys & Games) #2,691 in Sorting & Stacking Toys #120,260 in Pre-Kindergarten Toys |
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| Customer Reviews |
10 ratings
4.6 out of 5 stars |
Child Development Focus:
- Creative
- Mathematical
- Imagination
- Coordination
- Concentration
- Language and Communications
Christina’s Toy Review consists of 5 standardized criteria categories:
1. Sustainability:
PlanToys Sustainable Mission: “Since 1981, our mission has been to create a more sustainable world. At PlanToys, we are determined to do this by carefully considering the environment and society when it comes to our business practices, while also focusing on safety standards and child development in production. By applying innovative eco-friendly manufacturing methods and using green materials, we help pave a sustainable path for our children while also doing our part to protect the beautiful ecosystems and environments that inhabit our planet.”
A. Product: Made of 100% wood with no plastic components. These blocks are as simple as it gets in terms of their construction/material.
B. Packaging: PlanToys packaging is made of recyclable cardboard with no plastic windows and tissue paper inside instead of plastic bags.
C. Origin/Company: Made in Thailand. All of their toys are made from renewable, recycled rubberwood that has been pesticide-free for 3 yrs before harvest. Most importantly, the company is committed to a “Green concept design” and is committed to long-term environmental protection. To learn about their sustainable mission, check out the PlanToys website HERE.
2. Playability:
A. Open-ended: This set is can be used to construct any scene a child can dream up. It can be a castle, cityscape, or even their own neighborhood. These blocks can be the tool your child needs to make a 3D map of the world they live in. This type of toy is as open-ended as it gets in that your child decides how to play.
B. Active Parent engagement: PlanToys blocks make for a nice quiet time building with your kids. Great to play alongside your child and help them develop their fine motor and creativity skills.
C. Playtime: These blocks take time to stack and make even with the edging. It takes time to develop and design the cityscape and this type of toy builds concentration and patience. Your child will easily play for 30 minutes after the build is complete. A city block scene invites your child to take out small wooden cars, trains, or figures to play in addition to.
3. Durability:
A. Craftmanship: Blocks consist of dense heavy wood. They have flat sides and no sharp or splintered corners. Well finished including the colored stain that does not chip easily.
B. Quality: Firstly, I can attest to the quality of these blocks as our family has owned this block set for 14 years with minimal wear and tear. For instance, we have had only 1 block crack into 2 pieces and have very little chipping of paint stain. Secondly, PlanToys water-based paints are more of a dye that is absorbed by the wood. Also, the paint does not chip like other sets.
C. Price/Value: For a toy that is not produced in China, and is long-lasting in regards to quality, I would rate the price value very high.
4. Longevity:
A. Landfill or Heirloom: This set is of heirloom quality and virtually indestructible and made of long-lasting materials.
B. Lifespan of Toy (Age Range): Recommended for the 3+ years, age group although safe for all ages due to the size of the small triangular-shaped block. Kids ages 3 to 12 who have visited my home and played with this set have enjoyed it. In general, blocks have some of the “longest lives” in terms of toys. Kids ages 3 to 12 will find engagement and interest in this set.
C. Multi-age Families: These blocks are best for families with multiple children ages 3+.
5. Versatility:
A. Combinable with other toys: These are a such great addition to a wooden train set or small wooden cars to create the perfect map or city. Above all, the block set invites kids to many different possibilities with an opportunity to travel in their minds.
B. Creativity Function: The modern sleek lines of the cityscape blocks inspire kids to create the most interesting cities, towns, and castles. These blocks give children help with developing fine motor skills as well as creative storytelling.
C. Storage: No Storage included. A cloth sack or box including a handle would be nice. However, the set is smaller than a standard unit-sized large block set and requires only a small shoebox for storage.
Pros:
- Spend endless hours building awe-inspiring buildings!
- Kid-Approved & Parent-Recommended Building Blocks Set for Every Little Engineer!
- Fun, exciting, and stimulating construction set for your preschooler
- Great for Hand-Eye Coordination, Creative Thinking, Spatial Reasoning, Motor Skills, Problem-Solving Skills, STEM
Cons:
- None as they are a near-perfect set.
FAQ:
Why Choose the this PlanToys 50 Unit Block Set?
Firstly, they are passionate about child safety. They pay close attention to the safety standards of their production process. All of their materials are non-toxic and environmentally friendly so parents can let their children play without worry.
Secondly, they help children develop. Every parent wants to see their child successfully grow and develop. Also, they believe that creative and educational play can help them do this! By playing with their educational toys, children learn and evolve in a variety of ways.
Thirdly, they care about the environment. They believe that a quality environment will give rise to quality individuals. Also, at PlanToys, they use water-based colors that are chemical-free, E-Zero glue that doesn’t contain formaldehyde, and they maximize resource utilization by using leftover sawdust to create a new sustainable material called PlanWood™.
What’s in the Box?
This 50-piece
set consists of 12 shapes
Is this Wooden Castle Set eco-friendly?
Yes. Made of 100% Rubberwood.
Who is this product best for?
Ages 3+.
Do I personally recommend this product?
Yes. One of the best block sets on the market.
Where can the product be purchased? At the best price?
It’s normally available in our Shop at the price of just under $70.00.
Final Review for PlanToys 50 Unit Blocks:
Overall, I highly recommend any PlanToy. Firstly, this PlanToys 50 standard unit large-sized block set is one of the best on the market. If you buy only one large unit block set this is the one to purchase. The set features many large-sized rectangular shapes and wedges making it easy to build large structures fast. The blocks are of a nice sturdy heavier feel, with a beautifully sanded finish. It has many functions to offer at stages of development from toddler to school-aged child.
What other toy can you think of that your child will receive as a toddler but will still be playing with at age 10? Standard unit block sets are an absolute must for any family play space. This unit block set will be the best toy purchase in terms of longevity and versatility as your family will get years of use out of it. This set is beautifully crafted and is hard to beat. That is why I recommend this particular PlanToys block set more than any other.
Secondly, PlanToys is at the top of my list of sustainable toy companies. Also, they have some of the best production practices. They produce a consistent heirloom-quality toy. Thirdly, PlanToys manufacture safe, trustworthy toys. They are open-ended and promote creative thinking. Moreover, I love that their toys are modern, yet simple. This allows children to truly use them as a tool for their development. In conclusion, this unit block set is one of my favorite overall toys of all time and is my number one recommended toy. It is overall a must-buy, and if your family owned only a few toys total, this would round out the top of the list!
