Blockaroos: The Next Magnetic Toy for Toddlers

Our review of a top STEM focused Toy for toddlers: Blockaroos. These magnetic foam builders are great for creativity, durable, bath friendly and easy to engage with. There are also many different ways to combine the blocks. For us – it took a few playtimes to get away from building space ships and robots – but once we got the hang of it the sky was the limit (I guess we are still space ship focused)

What are Blockaroos?

Blockaroos are vibrantly colored, squishy, and connectable blocks have captured the imaginations of both children and parents alike. They are advertised as being created by teachers and the fundamental idea is that they have magnets inside which allow the blocks to snap together in dynamics ways.

Design, Durability and Construction: Squeezable Brilliance

1. Vibrant Colors and Soft Texture:

The first thing that captivates both children and parents is the vibrant color palette of Blockaroos. These blocks come in a spectrum of hues, creating a visually stimulating environment that encourages exploration. The soft, squeezable texture adds a tactile dimension, making each block not just a building tool but also a sensory experience. In our reviewer fifty pack of blocks – we had six different colors and 15 different types of pieces..

2. Interlocking Mechanism:

The brilliance of Blockaroos lies in their interlocking mechanism. The blocks easily connect with each other, allowing children to build structures, creatures, and anything their imagination conjures. The simplicity of the interlocking system ensures frustration-free play, even for the youngest builders.

There can be frustration at times because you can only connect magnet to magnet – but you there is plenty of block variety and most blocks have multiple magnet points, which drives a good ability to construct diverse objects.

3. Variety of Shapes and Sizes:

Blockaroos offer a diverse set of shapes and sizes, opening up endless possibilities for creative constructions. From cubes and rectangles to cylinders and arches, the variety encourages children to think spatially and experiment with different architectural forms.

4. Soft, Yet Sturdy:

Despite their squeezable texture, Blockaroos are sturdy. The soft material doesn’t compromise the durability of the blocks, ensuring they withstand the inevitable tumbles, drops, and squeezes that come with enthusiastic play.

5. Easy to Clean:

Parents will appreciate the practicality of Blockaroos. The blocks are easy to clean, whether it’s a quick wipe-down with a damp cloth or a rinse under the tap. This convenience adds to the overall appeal for families seeking low-maintenance toys that endure. Blockaroos are dishwasher safe (recommended for the top rack) but generally we just used standard anti-bacterial wipes to clean

6. Compatible with Other Building Blocks and with your home:

Blockaroos play well with others. Their compatibility with traditional building blocks opens up even more avenues for creative play. Children can seamlessly integrate Blockaroos into existing block collections or into their larger playroom creative zone.

Beyond the playroom and other blocks – it can be really fun to go around your house and see what Blockaroos stick to! We cover this and other ideas in our Blockaroo Idea guide.

Educational Benefits: Learning Through Play

1. Fine Motor Skills:

The act of connecting and disconnecting Blockaroos enhances fine motor skills. Children develop precision and coordination as they manipulate the blocks to achieve their desired structures, laying a foundation for more intricate tasks later in life.

2. Creativity and Problem-Solving:

Perhaps the most profound impact of Blockaroos is on creativity and problem-solving skills. The open-ended nature of these blocks encourages children to think outside the box, experiment with designs, and overcome challenges. If you check out our guide to playing with Blockaroos you will see some of the more exciting problem solving games we came up with. It fosters a mindset of innovation and adaptability from an early age.

3. STEM Learning:

While we don’t use Blockaroos in a classroom setting – we think they could be a good classroom toy and the marketing team at Blockaroos really emphasizes how Blockaroos seamlessly integrate into STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) learning. As children connect and build, they naturally explore concepts such as balance, symmetry, and spatial relationships. The hands-on nature of Blockaroos turns playtime into a valuable learning experience.

For more ideas on how to play with Blockaroos – Check out our idea guide!

Blockaroos Cost Review:

Blockaroos are not as cheap as traditional wooden blocks. There are inexpensive blocks from Melissa and Doug on Amazon for about 25% of the cost. We do think that the magnetic aspect of the blocks bring a valuable and unique dimension to the blocks.

Blockaroos Negative: Lack of Creative Resources

One minor negative we have with Blockaroos is that there is not that much content available online or within the Blockaroos eco-system giving creative ideas or inspiration. Our fifty block set advertised a “Care and Idea Guide” which turned out to be two pages of cleaning instructions (many different ways of saying “dishwasher friendly” and “be sure to air dry”), two pages of creative ideas, and then those four pages translated into four different languages. Maybe good for introducing your children to new languages – but not great for sparking that next hour of creative play.

Blockaroos – A Building Revolution for Young Minds

Since their release in 2021, Blockaroos have stood out as a beacon of innovation, creativity, and educational value. From their vibrant colors and squeezable texture to their compatibility with STEM learning, these blocks offer a holistic approach to play. The durability and parent-friendly features (everyone loves dishwasher safe) make them a practical choice for families seeking a versatile and enduring toy. We recommend.

FAQ:

Question: What Size Should I get?

Answer: Amazon offers many different Blockaroo sets, with some sets going up to 100 pieces. We found the 50 piece set to be plenty. If you anticipate a lot of solo play, a smaller set would be fine.

Question: There look to be Blockaroo knockoffs – are they worth it?

Answer: Right next to the Blockaroos on AMAZON are “Lil Jumbl Magnetic Foam Sets”. These sets also go up to 100 blocks. The Blockaroo set is 100 blocks for $129.99 and the Lil Jumbl set is 100 blocks for $129.99, so there arent any savings for moving away from Blockaroo. We haven’t tried the Lil Jumbl but they look to be exactly the same; it is possibly a white label from Blockaroo.

Question: Are Blockaroos really good to use in the bath?

Answer: Yes! We recommend trying to build boats that float, but really there are lot of bath opportunities. Be sure to put the blocks in a place where they can air dry so that they get rid of any water and dont risk any mold or mildew.