Creative Wooden Blocks by PlanToys | Toy Review
In this article, I am going to give you an honest look at a top-selling Creative Wooden Blocks 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 Creative Wooden Blocks, Pros/Cons, and an FAQ featuring: Where do the Creative Wooden Blocks fit into the sustainable toy category? Who is PlanToys? What are the blocks made of? Is it eco-friendly?
Product Description:
- Build a castle or a city!
- Let your creativity take over!
- Contains 30 pieces with 10 shapes.
- There are 6 color blocks and 18 natural blocks.
- Provides hours of fun.
- A great way to stimulate children’s interest and desire in building things.
- For ages 18 months 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: 0.55 x 0.55 x 1.1 inches
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Product Weight: 1.98 lbs
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 castles, bridges, and towers and role-playing the medieval life of knights and legendary warriors!
- Kid-Approved & Parent-Recommended Building Blocks Set for Every Little Engineer, Knight, and Princess!
- 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 Creative 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?
30 wood blocks in 6 color blocks and 18 natural blocks.
Is this Wooden Castle Set eco-friendly?
Yes. Made of 100% Rubberwood.
Who is this product best for?
Ages 18m+.
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 $38.00.
Final Review:
Overall, I recommend the PlanToys Creative wooden blocks set as an addition to a basic “small-sized” block set. The PlanToys block set will give your toddler the fine motor skill practice they need or your older child the tools to make a more complex detailed block scene. Moreover, it is great for smaller-sized play spaces or homes. They will enhance your child’s creativity and engineering skills. In conclusion, this PlanToys block set will not disappoint as it will give your family hours of constructive play.
