KirstenR

"Mom, we have these toys at school too," exclaims the oldest (grade 3) enthusiastically when she spots the box full of building blocks. "With these we can play together without it breaking!" Is this going to be a joint building activity between our 2-year-old son and 7-year-old daughter? I am quite honestly especially relieved that the batteries can stay in the closet, welcome low stimulus toys!

What do the toys look like?

We received an elaborate set of 150 midi waffle blocks supplied byPlayblocksXL. A sturdy box is included to store the blocks. The blocks are in waffle shape measuring 5.7 by 5.7 cm. They come in different colors. The wafers are made of non-toxic and fully biodegradable plastic. They are very flexible with smooth edges, it is still most like rubber. There is no weird smell and the blocks are easy to clean with soap and water. There are other sizes and additions available from this brand of toy. Then again, this fits the midi blocks we received, for example.

Builders ready? Build away

The packaging of the toy indicates that it is suitable for ages 2 and up. At first, our son (2) only found it interesting to put the blocks by color and hide them. The real building, like with duplo or wooden blocks, he didn't see much point in it. This changed when our oldest daughter started playing with it. She easily built the various figures from the booklets provided. So suddenly we had a rocket, ostrich and shark made out of clicked together waffle building blocks. Together they decided to take the figures apart again and build the highest stacking tower possible. See, now the fantasy and spatial imagination of both of them was activated. Then, like a kind of Jenga, they proceeded to take out wafers between them each time until the tower fell over. Meanwhile, we named colors, counted the numbers and took the blocks outside. It is also fun to build in the grass and even in the inflatable pool.

Low incentive toys

The waffle blocks are sensory toys. It stimulates the senses and appeals to the spatial imagination without overstimulating them. I call it relaxing toys without light and sound. My daughter fidgets with it on the couch like she can with her pop-it, it calms her down. Currently the box is in my son's bedroom, who we deliberately let play with this kind of toy fifteen minutes before we actually put him to bed. A moment of rest say, without television but just feeling, building something and relaxing. Should your child come home from school overexcited, this is also an ideal toy to de-stimulate, but on the other hand also be focused.

Go or No Go

We think this toy is a go! We actually didn't have any construction toys in the house yet and this is a really fun set to start with. It takes patience, creativity and stimulates a child's imagination and I think that is an important aspect when I purchase toys. There is no right or wrong in building, you simply take it apart and start over. The toys bring a piece of calm after a day full of stimuli. No busy colors, lights or sounds and the flexible material fits nicely in the hand. This toy can also just stay on the floor as our youngest daughter crawls around the room. This is unlike Playmobil or LEGO, for example. She also doesn't easily take the structures apart to the relief of the oldest three. It is also not a problem if small children put the toys in their mouths, these blocks are big enough and with a soapy water clean again in no time.
We regularly alternate the toys that are in the living room with bins that are then in the attic for a while (yes, I have everything neatly sorted into bins). I'm sure this box of blocks is going to be grabbed on a regular basis. Suitable from 2 to 102 years old, it says on the box, so we're good to go for now!

Midi waffle blocksFacts

• Product name: midi waffle blocks
• Brand: Marioinex
• Material: biodegradable plastic
• Number of parts: 150 pieces
• Advisory age: from 2 years of age
• Type of toys: construction toys/ building blocks
• Brand: Marioinex
• Price:€ 74,95 and for sale at Speelblokkenxl.nl