Thursday, March 24, 2011

Blocks

So the other day I was stressing out that Finn needed blocks. I had read in some parenting magazine that kids his age should start playing with blocks. When I read the article I had recently been worried about his cognitive development and wasn't sure that I was interacting/playing with him the right way, or that he had the right toys (don't worry, it was only my illogical mind that thought that way). So, had I read the article in the magazine at any other time I'm sure I wouldn't have freaked out like I did. "Blocks, blocks, blocks! Finn needs them now or he won't learn how to read, which in turn will lead to him dropping out of school!!!"

The next day I dragged Dennen and Finn along to go look for blocks. Logan doesn't have a wide array of choices when it comes to retail sometimes. We looked everywhere and finally ended up at Wally World. Huzzah, they had blocks! Even better, the blocks were small which equals perfect for storing. Even better better (what's better than better? Better better of course), $5!

I am sad to say that my impulse buy was not one of my finer moments. I've always wanted to get quality toys for our kids. Which doesn't necessarily mean expensive. The blocks I bought are not quality (come to find out). They are made of composite wood, the paint job is less than par (I'm really hoping it's not lead paint), and please tell me what in the world some of the pictures on the other sides of the blocks are?!?! Oh, and did I mention they were made in China? Don't worry, I love China. Just not when they use lead paint on my kid's toys.






















I should have gotten Finn these blocks instead. I love them. But who is going to spend $45 on blocks?!


Check out some of the rest of the toys this etsy shop has. It's all so pretty... and looks a ton better than the cat-seal blocks I got Finn (that's what one of the pictures looks like to me).

Moral of the story? Is Finn a genius now that he has his toxic blocks? Nope. Just goes to show you, don't buy into the hype. And don't buy toxic blocks with weird pictures on them.

7 comments:

Kari said...

Beck got blocks for his birthday, and he just throws them. I hate them.

Dan+Alli said...

Haha! Oh the things they say you "need". Cody has blocks too. He just chews on them. Don't think he has ever once acutally looked at what is on them. There are a few things that everyone told me i "had" to have. Almost all of those things I don't ever use. The only thing he plays with is our dog.

SFL 110 said...

Drat! I never had blocks for you kids until you could handle legos....that explains a lot. You stacked other stuff though - like when Dennen made the tower of paper cups and trash for Finn at Beaver Lodge (much more creative).

The Hendricks said...

i hate blocks!! they just make a mess and are there for us to build and them to knock down. kids have all the fun

Trey said...

the blocks with freaky pictures are amazing! i love the cat-seal.

The Kynastons said...

I bought Macie blocks probably around Finn's age because I'd heard the same thing (that they NEEDED them). So I expected her to be able to stack them or do SOMETHING with them right away....which she didn't. :) She loves them now, though. Have you ever seen the Melissa and Doug brand of toys? They are my absolute favorite. I only have a couple of their things because they are a little more expensive, but they are more like old-fashioned toys....made from wood and higher quality, rather than all the cheap-o stuff stores sell today (which we also have plenty of!) But if you have a Roberts craft store around you, they sell some of that brand and you can use the 40 or 50% off coupons on them. I just used a coupon to get these http://www.melissaanddoug.com/shape-sorting-cube-learning-game?9797967 and Macie has really liked them.

Maggie said...

The cheap-o-crap toys turn out to be some of my kids favorites in the end. Sorry about the blocks though. Ours are sort of lame too, but Greg and Charlotte do love to build with them. Charlotte actually likes them much more now than ever before.