Did you have wood blocks to play with when you were a kid? My sisters and I had a basketful of plain wood blocks. We’d take over the living room and build towers as high as we could. Or we’d build abstract cities. Recently I rediscovered blocks in a toy store (and resisted the urge to buy them) marketed as architectural blocks. Talk about starting the kids young, huh? They seem like an excellent way to get kids interested in buildings and sense of place at a young age. Plus, for those of you preservationists with young children, it will keep you entertained as well.
HABA Wooden Blocks Extra Large Starter Set
The company is named HABA and the buildings blocks are reported to be of quality construction and unique with many different collections from the starter sets to logic sets to landmarks such as the Leaning Tower of Pisa, pyramids, skyscrapers, a Japanese house, Russian architecture, a castle, and so much more.
HABA Romantic Era Building Blocks
HABA Baroque Architecture Blocks
I’m not a parent, but it seems to me that in an age of plastic toys and video games, classic blocks are a good way to stimulate the imagination and build a child’s knowledge. My sisters and I would have chosen these blocks over video games any day. And I happen to know a handle of people (ahem, Mary Wash preservation kids) who would still play with these. Certain designs would be an excellent interactive teaching method for architectural history. Enjoy! Does anyone know of other preservation related kids toys?
Preservation in Pink 