This wood block set is the only one to buy your toddler—here’s why

As a mom of two, blocks have always been the bane of my existence—they end up everywhere, don’t always come with proper storage, and inevitably you wind up stepping on a plastic, Lego-like brick that sends shockwaves through the bottom of your foot. Been there, done that.

But, as much as I abhor blocks littered throughout my home, studies show they can be a great educational toy for developing minds, like my 20-month-old son. And that’s where the the Lovevery Block Set comes into the picture.

Now, this $90 block set comes with a lot of parts—70 blocks to be exact—but it’s so much more than your average bag of plastic building blocks. The Lovevery Block Set can be used for 20 different activities—much more than just connecting and stacking like most regular block bundles.

I’ve had good luck with Lovevery products in the past. I tried the subscription-based Lovevery Play Kit for toddlers and was pleased with the selection of items for my son to play with, and we were impressed with the quality and functionality of Lovevery’s The Play Gym that we purchased for him to use as an infant.

So, after hearing other parents rave about this block set (and being inundated with targeted social media ads about this particular product), I had to give it a try to find out if it lives up to the hype.

What is Lovevery?

If you’re unfamiliar with Lovevery, that’s because the company is relatively new to the toy-making game. Lovevery was founded in 2015, unlike longtime toy companies like Playskool, which came about in 1928, or Hasbro, which was established in 1923.

Lovevery was created by two parents, Jessica, who helped grow Happy Family into a nationally recognized organic baby food brand, and Rod, a "builder of companies and movements with environmental and social impact," according to the Lovevery website. Using research and expertise from a panel of Montessori teachers, professors, psychologists, and more, the two friends formed Lovevery, a children's toy company focused on products that help bolster developing brains.

Lovevery also claims a commitment to making nontoxic toys from certified organic materials, including cotton and sustainably-sourced wood.

What we like about the Lovevery Block Set

Safe and non-toxic design

According to Lovevery, the blocks are made from sustainably-sourced, solid wood. So many toys these days are made from plastic, especially blocks for kids, so the Lovevery Block Set is a refreshing addition to our toy collection. The blocks come in 18 different hues and are covered in water-based, non-toxic paint and finishes.

So much variety for playtime

Okay, when I say these blocks are awesome, I mean they are awesome. We had several sets of blocks before this one, including the Melissa & Doug Wooden Building Blocks Set and the First Builders Big Building Bag set, neither of which held his attention span for as long as the Lovevery set.

I was pleasantly surprised by the variety the Lovevery Block Set offers. There are over 20 different ways to play with these blocks like the basic functions of stacking and building—but there are also more innovative ways to play with the toy. The blocks come in various sizes and shapes, so they can thread blocks together, build a small hurdle to jump over, and they can even play pretend with the four wooden dolls included in the set.

The wooden storage box serves multiple purposes, too. It can be used as a shape sorter, a drum (yes, the drum sticks are included!), turned into a pull car, used as a house for the wooden dolls that are included with the set—the possibilities are endless.

Good for all ages

The Lovevery Block Set was designed for ages 18 months to 48 months and up. You may be thinking that an older kid wouldn’t play with the set, but my almost 7-year-old daughter spends quite a bit of time after school using this block set with her younger brother. At $90, this block set is definitely a splurge, but I’m even more impressed with the fact that both of my kids enjoy playing together with these blocks.

What we don’t like about the Lovevery Block Set

I’ve been struggling to come up with what I don’t like about the Lovevery Block Set, and while it’s not much, there are a couple of things to note.

Wooden storage box may be heavy for some kids to pick up

The wooden storage box is sturdy and well-made, but it’s a little heavy for my toddler to carry around when it’s fully assembled. Out of curiosity, I weighed the box and it clocks in at 3.3 pounds on my Eufy Smart Scale.

Although the box isn’t meant to be moved from place-to-place, my son loves to carry his toys around the house. He can pick this one up, but sometimes it becomes a little too heavy for his small hands to hold, which results in him dropping the box on the floor (and on occasion, his feet—ouch). So, if you’ve got a little one who likes to do the same, watch those toes, because tears will fall if they accidentally drop it on their feet.

Storage can be problematic

Another downside—and this is true of any block set—is all of the pieces. While I love that Lovevery includes a drawstring bag to store the 70-piece collection, it really is a lot to keep track of. Every time I look under my couch or the dining room table, I find one of these blocks. I’ve found that a larger storage box that contains the bag of blocks and the wooden storage box is a better way to keep the collection together.

Is the Lovevery Block Set worth it?

For $90, the Lovevery Block Set includes 70 well-built quality pieces that feel like they will last a lifetime. Not to mention that little ones can enjoy more than 20 different, age-appropriate ways to play with these blocks.

However, they definitely cost more than a regular bag of wooden blocks. Even the Melissa & Doug Wooden Building Blocks Set I mentioned above is less than $20 on Amazon for 100 blocks.

But, in a sea of toy block options, the Lovevery Block Set stands out. It’s thoughtfully designed, comes with a storage box and drawstring bag, and, above all else, offers so many learning and developmental opportunities for growing minds that feel like they will last for the majority of childhood. And, did I mention how much my 20-month-old and 6-year-old love playing with the blocks? Blocks aren’t a terribly exciting toy to begin with but this set is a big hit in my house.

The Lovevery Block Set is a great investment toy for grandparents who host the grandkids on a frequent basis, families with multiple children who can share the set, and it also makes a great hand-me-down gift for expecting friends and family members when your little one outgrows it.

Get the Lovevery Block Set for $90