Play to Learn: 30 Block activities kids will love
The best toys are the ones that can be used many ways by children at different ages and stages of development. Read on to find a list of ways to play to learn using blocks. Great for in-person OT sessions or coaching during teletherapy sessions too!
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To all the parents…ever have the feeling that your house is closing in on you with toys galore?
Doesn't it seem like every time you buy a new toy your child is interested in it for a couple of minutes and then they never touch it again?
When you are an Occupational Therapist working with children, families might be expressing this concern to you as well.
I hear these complaints frequently from families that I work with.
“My child won't play with toys!”
“My child only plays with their toys for a short period of time!”
“My house is always a mess and there are toys everywhere!”
One of the first strategies I often recommend to other families is to clear out some the toys.
Less is more!
I also recommend that families rotate their toys and I will coach them on ways to use the toys that they already have in new ways.
I prefer good ole fashioned toys with no batteries required. Toys that can grow with children through their stages of play and development.
Read on to find new ways to learn through play with this commonly found toy in families homes: Blocks!
Why should children play with blocks?
Here are just a few of the benefits:
Increasing attention span
Improving language skills
Improves turn taking
Works on math skills
Improve gross and fine motor skills
Improves visual perceptual skills
Improves spatial awareness
All of these skills are needed for children to be successful in their academic studies later down the road!
The best part about these activities though is that kids won’t know they are learning all these skills, they will just be playing and having fun!
What are the best types of blocks?
Blocks of different shapes, sizes, and colors make the best kind.
I prefer softer, wipable blocks like these for babies.
Mega Bloks are great for toddlers and this set is awesome when children have passed the throwing stage.
Legos are my go-to for older children.
Picture courtesy of learnwithplayathome.com
Block activities for babies
Babies are learn.ing through sensory exploration and the world around them.
Here are some activities that babies can try with blocks:
Touching different sizes and textures of blocks..
Mouthing blocks.
Simple dump and fill activities (can use an empty tissue box or container).
Shaking blocks in a small container.
Caregiver stacks the blocks and baby knocks them down.
Playing with foam blocks in the bathtub.
Playing with blocks during mealtime on highchair tray (a great way to encourage tastes of new foods).
Banging blocks together with 2 hands.
Block activities for toddlers
Toddlers are busy and love to move! Their attention spans are short so simple block games like these work well:
Block bowling
Simple stacking
Block pickup with large tongs
Playing with blocks in a bowl of water
Hide and seek a block
More block activities for toddlers
Block activities for preschoolers
Preschoolers are starting to focus on some higher-level thinking skills. Here are some things to expand their play with blocks.
Copy simple patterns (red, blue, red, blue).
Copy simple block designs.
Use Lego pieces to make prints in Play-doh.
Draw uppercase and lowercase letters with dry erase markers on Mega Bloks and have your child match upper to lowercase letters.
Make a track out of blocks and race cars around it.
Build pretend homes for action figures.
More Block activities for preschoolers
Block activities for elementary-aged children
Use Lego pieces to stamp letters/words in Play-doh.
Complete more challenging Lego builds.
Measure the blocks! (Kids love use a tape measure and it’s fun to predict how big they think their creations are).
More block activities for elementary-aged children
Kids love when you show them new ways to play with things they already have. So break out those blocks today and try some new activities this week!
I’m always trying to find new ways to play with the toys we have (no more toys needed in our house!).
If you enjoyed this blog, check out these too!
Play to Learn: Water Activities for kids
Play to Learn: Things that go!
Play to Learn: 30 fun ball activities for kids
73 Backyard activities to keep kids busy all summer+ Free printable
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