[Super Easy DIY for Moms? Little Tools Under $100 Make Building Blocks Even More Fun!

So, watching our little one getting better at picking things up

with both hands and switching between one and two hands, tapping and playing around—it gave us the idea to buy building blocks

We originally wanted to get LEGO, but felt it was still too early

So we went ahead and bought ELC’s wooden blocks (100 pieces/$460) and foam blocks (60 pieces/$150)

But the shapes were nothing more than squares, triangles, cylinders... and so on

There weren’t many possible combinations, so we decided to add some little tools to make the blocks more fun

While our little one was asleep, the two of us hurriedly set about transforming the blocks

First, we thought of making magnetic blocks

Because we wanted them to be able to attract each other, so we bought

The shop owner and his wife were extremely patient in explaining the principles of magnets to me, and also recommended which ones would be best

The delivery was super fast too—really recommend them!!

Both types come with adhesive backs, and the iron tape is already cut into neat little grids

As for the flexible whiteboard, just draw your lines and you can easily cut it out with scissors

Cut them according to the length and width of the blocks, then stick them onto the blocks

(Magnets work better with foam blocks, since they’re lighter and easier to stick to)

We got them stuck on really quickly!! But if you’re using wooden blocks, they’re a bit harder to stick

Foam blocks stick much more easily though!!

If you have older kids at home, it’s a good opportunity to teach them about magnetism

Our little one held them in his hands while we played with them in front of him

After assembling them, we put them back in his hands—he played with them for a bit, then tossed them away, only to run off and pick them up again

Next, we tried using Velcro blocks

You can find lots of adhesive Velcro at any department store or dollar shop

They range from 15 to 45 dollars, and buying two sets is more than enough to cover the blocks

Velcro is even simpler and more convenient!

Just peel and stick, or measure the right size for the blocks, cut, and stick

Velcro feels a bit more secure than magnets

But I, personally, really don’t have any block-building talent—I could only put together these weird shapes

Even our little one’s dad, who studied architecture, didn’t do much better

It just looks like stacking, doesn't it~ (lol)

The baby crawls over and just knocks the blocks down

(Didn’t your parents teach you not to push blocks around randomly!!?)

As for sticking on magnets or hook-and-loop fasteners

Just stick them wherever you feel like—it’s completely illogical

These days I’ve noticed that the baby will grab one block in each hand, trying to stick the two together, then pull them apart

If he happens to grab the right ones, he can play with it for ages; if he grabs the wrong ones (like hook-and-loop with magnets)

he’ll get all puzzled and poke around trying to figure it out

Add a little clever twist to make block play more fun

The key is that it’s quick, easy, and doesn’t cost much—isn’t that killing two birds with one stone~

Dads and moms who have blocks at home, come and give it a try too!!