Big Cardboard Blocks

When I was a child, Lego's were not really around or, at least, they weren't widely available. We had some similar building toys called "Bricks" that my brothers and I loved (when we could get them away from our dad) and we also had Lincoln Logs (another of dad's favorites), Tinker Toys, and some crazy building toy set called Jing-A-Lings (yes, really!). We had hours and hours of fun with those four toys.

Back in 1995, I had a child of my own. He was gifted with Duplo's and Lincoln logs early on and, later, with K'nex and Legos. While he liked all of those building toys; what he, I and his dad liked the best and played with for hours were some giant building blocks made from simple but durable cardboard that were printed to look like bricks. We had a blast with "The Boy" and without him playing with those!

Photo is of the Imaginarium Deluxe Building Block Set available at Amazon.com. Many other sets are available from several manufactureres in various sizes, colors and character designs.

My son got his big, cardboard building blocks on Christmas morning of the year that he was 1.5. They actually were printed to look like bricks. Now, just so you're aware, these blocks are typically "ready to assemble" cardboard cut-outs no matter what brand Santa brings... They come packed flat, in a box and Santa must put them together. He shouldn't worry though. The elves designed them so well that even the youngest of Santa's helpers can do it. Once they're assembled, they're virtually indestructible and they're not very easy for your little sweetheart to take apart!

Santa actually assembled our blocks Christmas eve while our little tyke was asleep. Then, he put them in a corner - away from the tree - and covered them with a sheet for an extra special surprise. The sheet would later become a part of the building set...you know; for tents and stuff...

The photo is of the Melissa & Doug Deluxe Jumbo Cardboard Blocks set available from Amazon.

Photo Credit: My dad, of course, playing with "The Boy" on Christmas morning, 1996...

This photo is from that first Christmas. We had "our" building blocks for years. Some of "The Boy's" first climbing was done by stacking them - they're quite sturdy. We gave them away when he was around 12 years old to a friend who took in young foster children who typically came to her with little but the clothes they were wearing. Yes, they lasted 10 years...at least! And, to top it off, I believe my friend still has them and it's been seven+ more years!

I loved the big blocks. And, actually, I miss them. In July of 2012 I was at the 3 year birthday party of a friends daughter. They had a stack of the building blocks in the corner of the family room. They brought back instant memories and I longed to go over and play with them. But, alas, the birthday girl was having no block playing that day! Sigh...

At least I have my memories. Maybe someday - but hopefully not "too soon" - my son will give me some grandchildren and I'll have an excuse to have these in the house again!

The photo is of the other Grandpa, my former father-in-law ( a **civil engineer**) helping with the blocks in the Spring of 1997. Grandpa let "The Boy" wall him in.

If I was in the cardboard block market right this very minute, I would get this set. Why? Because it has EIGHTY FOUR pieces! Imagine what you could do with these!

Now, these are a bit pricey, but this is the biggest set out there and there are a few of things I really like about it:

1. The blocks come in more than one size (ours didn't).

2. Each block holds up to 100 lbs. Your children will try to stand on these...been there, seen that!

3. They ship free!

They're so popular eBay has them, Amazon has them...you just can't go wrong with these!

Come on, fess up. Don't be shy. Do your kids (...ahem) have a set of these? Don't you just love them?