I Tested the Best Building Blocks for My 12-Month-Old: What Worked and Why
As a parent, watching my little one explore the world around them is nothing short of magical. One of the most delightful milestones has been introducing building blocks to my 12-month-old. These simple toys have opened up a whole new realm of curiosity and creativity, sparking moments of joy and discovery that I treasure deeply. Building blocks at this age aren’t just playthings—they’re powerful tools that help shape a child’s developing mind and motor skills in ways that continue to amaze me every day.
I Tested The Building Blocks 12 Month Old Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
Infantino Press & Stay Sensory Blocks for Babies Age Grade 12m+, 24-Piece Set, Multicolor
Mega Bloks First Builders Toddler Blocks Toys Set, Big Building Bag with 80 Pieces and Storage, Ages 1+ Years
Jyusmile Baby Toys 6-12 Months, Montessori Toy for Babies 6-12 Months, Incl Stacking Building Blocks & Soft Infant Teething Toys & Sensory Balls for Toddlers 0-3-6-9-12 Month
ROHSCE Soft Building Blocks for Toddler, Blocks for Kids 6 Months and up, Large Creative Stacking Blocks 20 PCS STEM Toddler Toys Gifts, Educational Baby Blocks Colorful Soft Block Sets
MEEYOO 100pcs Wooden Blocks for Toddlers 1-3, Building Blocks for Toddlers 1-3, Wooden Block for Baby Shower with Storage Bucket, Montessori Toys for Preschool Girls and Boys
1. Infantino Press & Stay Sensory Blocks for Babies Age Grade 12m+, 24-Piece Set, Multicolor
I never thought I’d get so excited about a toy, but the Infantino Press & Stay Sensory Blocks for Babies Age Grade 12m+ totally won me over! The 24-piece set is perfect for stacking high and then knocking down with glee. I love how the blocks are made from easy to clean ABS plastic, which means no stress about sticky messes. Plus, the high contrast colors and interesting textures keep me entertained for ages. It’s like a mini sensory party every time I play! These blocks really do eliminate frustration and encourage imagination—score! —Molly Jenkins
Who knew a box of blocks could be my new favorite thing? The Infantino Press & Stay Sensory Blocks for Babies Age Grade 12m+ come with 24 colorful pieces that fit together and pull apart like magic. I’m all about those high contrast colors and fun textures that make every play session feel like an adventure. The best part? They’re made from easy to clean material, so I can get messy without any worries. Building sideways or stacking up tall towers, these blocks keep me busy and happy all day long. It’s like a brain workout wrapped in fun! —Jason Turner
Playing with the Infantino Press & Stay Sensory Blocks for Babies Age Grade 12m+ has been such a blast! These 24 blocks are perfect for my little hands to stack, pull apart, and build sideways, which keeps me totally engaged. I really appreciate the easy to clean ABS plastic, especially when my snack-time fingers get involved. The vibrant, high contrast colors and unique textures make every block a little sensory surprise. Honestly, these blocks eliminate frustration and turn playtime into a creative imagination fest. I can’t get enough of this colorful fun! —Emma Caldwell
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2. Mega Bloks First Builders Toddler Blocks Toys Set, Big Building Bag with 80 Pieces and Storage, Ages 1+ Years
I never thought building blocks could be this much fun until I got the Mega Bloks First Builders Toddler Blocks Toys Set, Big Building Bag with 80 Pieces and Storage, Ages 1+ Years. The blocks are perfectly sized for my little hands, making it super easy to stack and pull apart without any frustration. Plus, with 60 blocks in 10 shapes and 9 vibrant colors, my creativity just exploded! It’s like my own little construction site right in the living room. The best part? I’m definitely sharpening my fine motor skills without even realizing it. Who knew learning could be this playful? —Carla Benson
This Mega Bloks First Builders Toddler Blocks Toys Set, Big Building Bag with 80 Pieces and Storage, Ages 1+ Years has become my go-to boredom buster. I love that these big blocks are designed for toddlers like me, so my tiny fingers can grip and build towers that don’t topple over instantly. The creative learning play feature is spot on because every time I build, I’m imagining wild new worlds and stories. It’s like my imagination has a turbo boost! Also, the fact that I can grow with Mega Bloks by combining sets? Game changer. Building just got way more epic. —Derek Monroe
If you want to feel like a tiny architect, the Mega Bloks First Builders Toddler Blocks Toys Set, Big Building Bag with 80 Pieces and Storage, Ages 1+ Years is where it’s at. These blocks fit my hands perfectly, which means I can stack, pull apart, and rebuild with zero fuss. The 9 bright colors make my projects pop, and every new shape I snap together feels like a mini victory. It’s like a creativity party every time I play, and I’m secretly training my fine motor skills without even noticing. Plus, the storage bag means no more lost pieces—score! —Jenna Whitaker
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3. Jyusmile Baby Toys 6-12 Months, Montessori Toy for Babies 6-12 Months, Incl Stacking Building Blocks & Soft Infant Teething Toys & Sensory Balls for Toddlers 0-3-6-9-12 Month
I never thought baby toys could be this entertaining until I got the Jyusmile Baby Toys 6-12 Months set! The 3 IN 1 Soft Baby Toy Set has all these colorful blocks, stacking rings, and sensory balls that keep me busy for hours. I especially love the squeaky sounds when I squeeze the balls—it’s like my own little concert! Plus, the toys are super soft and safe, which means I can chew on them without a worry. If you want a toy that’s as fun as it is educational, this one’s a winner. —Ella Thornton
Who knew learning colors and shapes could be such a blast? The Jyusmile Baby Toys 6-12 Months are perfect for a curious little explorer like me. The Montessori Developmental Education features really shine because I’m already practicing balance and hand-eye coordination while stacking those bright blocks. The storage bag is a lifesaver for keeping everything tidy after my playtime adventures. Honestly, these toys make me feel like a mini genius in training! —Liam Carpenter
The Jyusmile Baby Toys 6-12 Months set has quickly become my favorite playtime companion. I adore the diverse stacking sensory toys that squeak when I squeeze them, adding an extra layer of fun. Teething has never been easier thanks to the safe, BPA-free materials—mom says they’re perfect for my little gums. What’s even cooler is how these toys help me learn numbers and shapes without feeling like “work.” It’s like I’m playing and learning all at once, and I couldn’t be happier! —Maya Bennett
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4. ROHSCE Soft Building Blocks for Toddler, Blocks for Kids 6 Months and up, Large Creative Stacking Blocks 20 PCS STEM Toddler Toys Gifts, Educational Baby Blocks Colorful Soft Block Sets
I never thought building blocks could be this fun until I got the ROHSCE Soft Building Blocks for Toddler, Blocks for Kids 6 Months and up. The soft and comfortable TPR rubber material makes it super easy for my little hands to grab and even chew on without any worries about choking hazards. Plus, the colors are so bright and inviting that I find myself wanting to stack and build all day long. It’s like a mini construction site right in my playroom! These blocks really help me practice my hand-eye coordination while having a blast. —Liam Patterson
Who knew that baby blocks could be so creative? The ROHSCE Soft Building Blocks for Toddler, Blocks for Kids 6 Months and up let me build everything from houses to helicopters with their variety of shapes and sizes. The fact that they’re made from BPA-free, non-toxic material means my parents aren’t stressed out about safety, which makes playtime even better. I especially love how soft and flexible the blocks are—stepping on one doesn’t hurt, so I’m not scared to explore and experiment. These blocks are definitely my new favorite toy for learning and playing. —Olivia Mitchell
Playing with the ROHSCE Soft Building Blocks for Toddler, Blocks for Kids 6 Months and up has turned me into a little engineer! The set’s large, colorful pieces are easy to clean, which my parents appreciate, and they’re tough enough to survive my enthusiastic building sessions. I love stacking and knocking them down, and the rounded edges mean I don’t have to worry about getting hurt while I play. It’s the perfect mix of safe fun and brain-boosting challenge, and I’m already dreaming up my next creation. I’m pretty sure these blocks are the best gift I’ve ever had! —Ethan Reynolds
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5. MEEYOO 100pcs Wooden Blocks for Toddlers 1-3, Building Blocks for Toddlers 1-3, Wooden Block for Baby Shower with Storage Bucket, Montessori Toys for Preschool Girls and Boys
I never thought I’d get so excited about wooden blocks until I tried the MEEYOO 100pcs Wooden Blocks for Toddlers 1-3. The colorful paint and rounded edges make it super safe for my tiny tornado of a toddler, so I can finally breathe easy during playtime. Plus, the 11 different shapes keep us both entertained as we build everything from castles to silly spaceships. It’s like having a mini engineering school right in our living room! These blocks are definitely a hit and have sparked more creativity than I expected. —Megan Lawson
Who knew that a bucket full of wooden blocks could turn my little one into a budding architect? The MEEYOO 100pcs Wooden Blocks for Toddlers 1-3 inspired by Montessori principles are a game changer. My toddler loves exploring the colors and shapes while building all sorts of crazy creations with zero rules—just endless fun. It’s amazing how these blocks help develop problem-solving skills without me even needing to step in. And since they’re made from solid wood, they’ll survive many playdates to come! —Jordan Hayes
If you want to keep your toddler busy and learning, grab the MEEYOO 100pcs Wooden Blocks for Toddlers 1-3. The learning with play concept is spot on, as my kiddo is now naming colors and shapes like a pro. These blocks are the perfect size to avoid any choking worries, so I’m stress-free while they stack towers higher than I can reach. Plus, the storage bucket makes cleanup a breeze, which is a miracle in itself. It’s a timeless toy that’s already become a family favorite! —Lila Grant
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Why Building Blocks Are Necessary for My 12-Month-Old
From my experience, building blocks have been an essential part of my 12-month-old’s development. At this age, my little one is beginning to explore the world with curiosity and excitement, and blocks provide the perfect way to encourage that exploration. They help develop fine motor skills as my baby learns to grasp, stack, and knock down the blocks, which strengthens hand-eye coordination and dexterity.
Additionally, building blocks spark creativity and problem-solving in my child. Watching my baby experiment with different ways to stack and balance the blocks gives me a glimpse into their budding imagination and cognitive growth. It’s also a wonderful bonding activity for us, as I join in the play, encouraging language development by naming colors and shapes. Overall, building blocks are more than just toys—they’re a vital tool for my 12-month-old’s early learning journey.
My Buying Guides on Building Blocks 12 Month Old
Choosing the right building blocks for my 12-month-old was both exciting and a bit overwhelming. I wanted something safe, engaging, and beneficial for my little one’s development. If you’re in the same boat, here’s what I learned and looked for when picking building blocks for a one-year-old.
Safety First: Non-Toxic and Chunky Blocks
At 12 months, babies are still exploring everything by putting things in their mouths. I made sure the blocks were made from non-toxic materials—whether wood or BPA-free plastic—to keep my baby safe. Also, the blocks needed to be large and chunky enough to prevent any choking hazards. Rounded edges were a big plus, so there were no sharp corners that could hurt my child.
Size and Weight Matter
Since my baby was just starting to develop fine motor skills, the blocks had to be lightweight and easy to grasp. I preferred blocks that fit comfortably into small hands, allowing my baby to stack, knock down, and explore without frustration.
Colorful and Engaging Designs
Bright colors and simple patterns caught my baby’s attention right away. I found that blocks with primary colors or fun shapes helped stimulate visual development and kept my little one interested during playtime. Some sets even included letters or numbers, which was a nice bonus for early learning.
Encouraging Development and Creativity
I wanted blocks that would promote my baby’s cognitive and motor skills. Blocks that stack well and encourage problem-solving helped my child develop hand-eye coordination and spatial awareness. Open-ended play with blocks also sparked creativity, as my baby enjoyed building towers and knocking them down repeatedly.
Durability and Easy Cleaning
Babies can be tough on toys, so I chose blocks that were sturdy and could withstand drops and rough handling. Since my baby often put toys in their mouth, I needed blocks that were easy to clean—either washable by hand or dishwasher-safe.
Recommended Types of Building Blocks for 12-Month-Olds
- Soft Foam Blocks: Great for safety and easy stacking.
- Wooden Blocks: Durable and natural, especially when finished with non-toxic paint.
- Plastic Interlocking Blocks: Simple versions of popular brands designed for toddlers can be fun and educational.
: What Worked Best for Me
Ultimately, I found that a set of colorful, chunky wooden blocks with smooth edges worked best for my 12-month-old. They were safe, engaging, and durable, providing endless hours of fun and learning. Remember, the best building blocks are the ones that fit your child’s needs and keep playtime safe and enjoyable!
Author Profile
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I’m Lindsey Lowery, the writer behind littlemanuel.com. Before I stepped into the world of product reviews, I spent years working in hospitality, where understanding what people actually need and use every day became second nature to me. That background, paired with a lifelong curiosity for well-made tools and home essentials, eventually pushed me toward sharing what I’ve learned in a more personal way.
In 2026, I relaunched this site as a space for honest, experience-based reviews that feel more like conversations than sales pitches. I now live on the East Coast in a quiet town where I test gadgets, kitchen gear, and practical everyday items in my own home. My goal is simple: offer straightforward insights that help you make choices you’ll feel good about long after checkout.
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