Citiblocs wood block sets are the best type of wooden toy ever!

If I hadn’t happened into Stacy Scott’s Treehouse in the Glen toy shop I’m certain I never would have thought to pick up a set of Citiblocs. They look so unassuming. Identical little slabs of wood which are sold in compact boxes of 50 to 1000 pieces. We have a nice set of standard building blocks so why would we need or want another wood block set?

On display in the shop was an impressive 1000+ piece display that was so tall and stable that adults and children alike were drawn in to admire. At first I could not believe the structure was standing without the aid of glue but then the genius of the architecturally designed planks became obvious. Even a small toddler could build things that won’t immediately fall down. Another great feature of the smallish blocks is they are not very heavy. My daughter has a nice set of plan toys blocks that are very heavy. I have actually asked her to put shoes on when building with them so her toes won’t get hurt if a block should fall from a high perch. Citiblocs cause no such worry.

The reason Stacy chooses to carry the wood toy blocks in her store is the reason they have become a huge favorite in our house too. The blocks are fun for everyone. Mommy, engineer Daddy and three year old preschooler all have fun with them. Stacy is convinced, as I am, that if a toy is fun for parents as well as kids they will play together more often. Citiblocs are the best type of wooden toy for this reason.

From the Citiblocs website:

Each block is cut to the exact proportions of a 1:3:5:15 Ratio. This Ratio is fundamental to the realization of any desired creations. Since the only input is gravity, each block must be precisely cut in order to stand up allowing you to reach unbelievable heights... The proportions of our precision-cut blocks is the key to every building achievements!!

The blocks are all the same size – measuring in inches approximately 1/4 inches thick x 1 inch wide x 4 1/2 inches long

It is impossible to undervalue the precision of this wooden toy once you pick up one of the blocks. Smooth, light and perfectly proportioned it is a joy to hold the little wooden planks but once you begin to create the genius of the perfect proportions is immediately apparent, even to a small child. With these wooden blocks you can build tall, very tall and the structures remain very stable.

When we came home from the store I dumped our 300 piece set out on the living room coffee table and just let them stay there. What a great staging area for creativity! All three of us were perpetually drawn to the table. It was almost impossible to walk by without trying to build something. At different points one, two or all three of us were concentrating on the next great building. It was so much fun!

Since that first weekend we have given those blocks a place of honor in our house. They are always available in one of only five toy bins in our family room and my girl uses them nearly daily. She occasionally combines them with her other blocks but generally builds with them alone. She has made stools that support her weight, “houses” for her stuffed animals and all manner of bridges, “towders” (her word for tower) and roads.

To see more videos of kids building with Citiblocs check out this!

The brochure included in the box provides a map for building some of the more complicated buildings and as of this writing we have tried all of them. We purchased a box of 300 blocks and I am always wishing we had gotten more. How much taller could we really go if we had 100, 200 or even a thousand more?

The manufacturer says these wood toy blocks are made for ages three and up although I personally think even young toddlers can enjoy them with a little supervision. In the four months we have owned them I have seen my daughters building skills grow. Initially she would place the blocks in the exact same fashion to achieve her great heights but over time she has begun experimenting. I can see years and years of creative thought and I am certain my favorite toddler toy will also be one of my favorites for my daughter’s entire childhood. This is a toy that truly grows with you.

One other thing about this awesome toddler toy is the fact that that there is no mess. No glue, no special tools, nothing else is required for fun! Clean up in our house is a s simple as tossing the blocks back into their bin and even my three year old can do it competently.

Rarely do I find I toy that enthralls me as much as Citiblocs have. If we were only allowed only one toy Citiblocs would be my choice. The fact that they are also built from sustainable wood resources only further convinces me that this is the best type of wooden toy for anyone and everyone!