Getting started with unit blocks (and a story about my work in product development!)
What is this post?
Here's a quick start guide for what to buy if you want to get started with unit blocks!
This post is different from my block buying guide - it's perfect for you if you don't want to compare sets and make your own decision - in this post I'll just tell you what I'd get if I was starting from scratch with block play!
All of the links in this post are commissionable and automatically apply a 10% off coupon but that's not why I recommend these sets - these sets are my top recommendation because they're the sets that I consulted on with Guidecraft.
If you just want the recs skip ahead to the last section "here's what I'd buy", but if you have a minute to read a little about how we got here go ahead and read the whole post!
A bit of background
Before we get to the block picks, here’s how I ended up working with Guidecraft. I love this story because it shows exactly why I enjoy working with them.
For years I’d been sharing everything I know about block play: comparing sets and brands, teaching parents and educators what to look for when building a collection, and shouting about the joys of block play from my (then very small) social media rooftop. In early 2022, Guidecraft’s social team asked me to try their blocks, and we had a lot of fun creating content together. But it took until 2024 for me to work up the courage to tell them some of their blocks didn’t meet ideal unit block standards.
When I reached out with my ideas and concerns, the CEO asked to meet me. On that Zoom call, I met Gary, learned how Guidecraft works, and shared my honest thoughts about their blocks. Instead of being put off by my critiques (and maybe overly high standards), he asked me to come on as a consultant to fix their existing sets and help create new ones that push unit blocks forward. So since fall 2024 I've been consulting with Guidecraft as their block play expert, helping to perfect their traditional unit block sets, and working with designers to create the new sets I dreamed of for years before I could have ever imagined that making them real was a possibility.
So, when I recommend these Guidecraft sets it's not because I'm an affiliate. It's much deeper than that. As a brand Guidecraft heard me as an expert in the field and took my opinions to heart - they invested in updating their sets, they took the time to let me redesign their traditional block collections, and also trusted that as an educator my opinion and experience were not just valid but super valuable. I'm also not the only educator Guidecraft works with to design and develop toys and furniture. Everything they make comes from the ideas, theories, and deep and thoughtful work of experts in the field... and not all toy brands do that. And that's why I don't feel weird about shifting my recommendations to being almost entirely Guidecraft focused. A brand that values educators and centers what's best for children is worth my focus.
Here's what blocks I would buy if I was starting from scratch
Here's what to start with:
Depending on how many kids you have and how much space you want to dedicate to block play pick one of these to start:
Unit Block System Set A - ideal for 1 child
Unit Block System Set B - ideal for 1-2 children
Unit Block System Set C - ideal for 2-3 children
I consulted on the design of these piece counts to make sure each set would be balanced in their ratio of units & doubles to smaller pieces. No matter which you choose you'll end up with a set that kids will be able to build with for years. (My own kids tested each set before we finalized them!)
If you have a toddler you might want to consider the Toddler Unit Block set instead of starting with a system set. This is actually the set I'm most proud of in its design. It's a set of 22 blocks that are chunky, and easy to balance and meet the exact proprioceptive needs of toddlers. Plus they align perfectly with traditional unit blocks so you can add on a system set when your child is ready.
Now that you've got your base set you can add things on:
These acrylic sets are designed to be perfectly aligned with the mathematical dimensions of traditional unit blocks but give kids the opportunity to add color and light play to their builds. Add one (or all) of these if your child is interested in more decorative block play.
Acrylic Rainbow and Window Unit Blocks
There are always going to be more things you can add on, but if you start with a system set or the toddler set + some acrylics I don't think you'll regret it. Unit blocks are a toy that will grow with your child from toddlerhood all the way through elementary school. They're well worth the investment!
Check out my instagram to see how my kids build with unit blocks! I'm always sharing their builds for inspiration! And send over any questions you might come up with!