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United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi
1 Level
791 Review
17 Karma

Review on ๐Ÿงฉ IPlay ILearn Montessori Educational Toys for Preschoolers by Jesse Bailey

Revainrating 5 out of 5

Excellent building block set at a great price

It was time to start looking for Christmas gifts for our new granddaughter and first great grandson so we ordered the first set to check the quality. A few details to note right from the start: First, we noticed that several reviewers declared it a choking hazard. So we ran some tests. It turns out there are actually guidelines for determining if something is a choking hazard - basically, a toy has to be at least 3 centimeters tall to not be classified as a choking hazard. Each block in the set is at least 3 centimeters in size and thus meets the minimum requirements. While half-blocks and half-cylinders are less than 3 centimeters in size, their other sizes are 3 centimeters or more, so they are not considered a choking hazard because they do not fit in the "gas tube" - the device. Used to determine a toy's choking potential. So we'll leave that aside - according to official product safety committee guidelines, none of these blocks pose a choking hazard. Next detail - unfortunately it looks like the product description doesn't really give you a very complete description of what you're getting in this set, so I have compiled a list of what is included in the set and reasonably accurate measurements for each item. Here: 20 cubes - 1 3/16" (3 cm) per side 10 rectangles - 1 3/16" (3 cm) x 2 3/8" (6 cm) 2 half cubes - 9/16" (1.5 cm) x 1 3/16" (3 cm) 4 cylinders - 1 3/16" (3 cm) x 1 3/16" (3 cm) 2 high cylinders - 3 1/2 "(9 cm) x 1 3/16" (3 cm) 4 medical cylinders - 2 3/8" (6 cm) x 1 3/16" (3 cm) 6 half columns 3 1/2" (9 cm) x 1 3/16" (3 cm) x 9/16" (1.5 cm) 8 right triangles - 2 3/8" (6 cm) x 1 3/16" (3 cm) x 1 3/16" (3 cm) 4 small right triangles - 1 3/16" (3 cm) x 1 3/16" (3 cm) x 1 9/16" (4 cm) 2 medium right triangles - 1 9/16" (4 cm) x 1 9/16" (4 cm) x 2 1/4" (5.5 cm) 4 half cylinders 1 3/8" (3, 5 cm) in diameter x 1 3/16" (3 cm) high 4 arches - 2 3/8" (6 cm) x 1 3/16 in. (3 cm) with semi-cylindrical cutouts. It's 70 and we're guessing they're counting the wooden tray and box to 72. Now for the subjective part: we love this set of blocks! We think they're the perfect size for a baby - not so small that they're choking and not so big that small hands are uncomfortable. Each piece is machined to the same size so they stack and fit together perfectly. The warm, smooth wood is beautiful and all edges are smoothly rounded. We really can't praise this feature enough - there's something about the tactile feel of well-crafted wood that a child just doesn't get from plastic toys - it's a genuinely valuable experience in its own right. They are enough - and varied enough - to capture every child's interest and imagination. This is the toy that will last many years and fill many. many hours of creative play. I have a pretty decent collection of woodworking tools and I could have made a gift like this myself, but I would have invested more money and time and nothing would have turned out better than this set of blocks. Another reviewer suggested โ€” and we agree โ€” that instead of encouraging your little rat pups' propensity for OCD by expecting them to put them back in the litter box with you, maybe you should make a bag to keep them all in them. She. My wife will make a canvas drawstring bag for her. As you are reading this we have already ordered a second set and having recently received news that we have another granddaughter on the way I am sure we will have another set next year. Good product. special value. Our highest recommendation.

Pros
  • Delivery was very quick
Cons
  • Crumpled