Speaking of which, watching our little one getting better at picking things up
with both hands or just one, switching between them, tapping and playing—this gave us the idea to buy some building blocks
We originally wanted to get LEGO, but felt it was still too early
So instead we bought ELC’s wooden blocks (100 pieces / $460) and foam blocks (60 pieces / $150)
However, the shapes were nothing more than squares, triangles, cylinders... and so on
The possible combinations weren’t very varied, so we decided to add some small tools to make the blocks more fun
While our little one was asleep, the two of us hurried to modify the blocks
First, we thought about making magnetic blocks
Since they needed to be able to attract each other, we bought
The shop owner and his wife were extremely patient in explaining the principles of magnets to me and then recommended which ones would be best
The shipping was fast too—I really recommend them!!
Both of these come with adhesive backing, and the iron tape has already been cut into individual grids
As for the flexible whiteboard, you just need to draw lines and then easily cut them out with scissors
Cut them according to the length and width of the blocks, and then you can stick them onto the blocks
(Magnets work better on foam blocks because they’re lighter and easier to stick to)
We finished sticking them on very quickly!! Though it’s a bit harder to make them stick on wooden blocks
Foam blocks are much easier to use!!
For families with slightly older kids, this can be a chance to teach them about magnetic principles
Our little one held them in his hands while we played with them in front of him
After assembling them, we put them in his hands—he played with them for a bit, then shook them off, and then went to pick them back up
Next, we wanted to try Velcro blocks
You can find plenty of adhesive-backed Velcro at any department store or 10-dollar shop
They range from $15 to $45, and buying two sets is more than enough to cover everything
Velcro is even simpler and more convenient!
Just peel and stick, or measure the right size for the blocks, cut, and then stick them on
Velcro feels a bit more secure than magnets
But I (Ali) really don’t have much talent for building blocks—I could only manage to put together these weird things
Even our little one’s dad, who studies architecture, wasn’t much better
It just looks like stacking, doesn't it~ (lol)
The little poop comes over and just knocks the blocks over
(Didn’t your parents teach you not to push blocks around randomly!!?)
As for attaching magnets or hook-and-loop fasteners
Just stick them wherever you want—there’s absolutely no logic to it
These past few days, I’ve noticed that the little poop grabs one block in each hand, trying to stick the two together and then pull them apart
If he happens to grab the right ones, he can play with them 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
Put in a little clever thought 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 this a try too!!