Which pattern blocks to get?

[A home for their hearts]

I want to get my ds4 some pattern blocks but there are so many to choose from I just can't decide. I'm looking at rainbow resource. They have some that are magnets which would be nice so they would stay put. Then they have ones that aren't magnets but then what book should I get to go along with them. I was also wondering if they are all the same size meaning if I get a set of blocks and a seperate activity book will they fit correctly? Hmmm

[abbeyej]

I'm partial to wooden ones, myself. My kids got years and years of play out of their pattern blocks.

The sizes are standard (unless you buy something that specifically says "giant"/"jumbo"/"mini" or something like that), so any book should work with any pattern blocks. My kids liked Pattern Block Animals as a starting point...

[Mandy in TN]

We have and like the magnetic ones.:D
Mandy

[Amanda_Jo]

I'm also partial to the wooden ones- we've found they are plenty heavy to stay in place without magnets. Even my 2 year old plays with them. Plastic ones are lighter and slide more- so if you go plastic I'd get magnetic ones.
They should be a standard size- we've got several different workbooks and pattern cards and the blocks work on all of them.

[yvonne]

I like the wood ones, but...... We have wood and magnetic sets and the kids always pull out the magnetic over the wood.

yvonne

[neesek]

I like the wooden ones too, but looking at the age of your children, I would get at least 2 sets, if not more! All 3 of my kids still enjoy playing with them. We have 2 sets, and that is still not enough for them when they are all 3 using them.

[rockermom]

Any recommendations for brands?

[A home for their hearts]

I think the magnetic ones would work well for my dc but what to use for a magnet board? I was thinking we could use a cookie sheet, but then I was wondering if the magnets are strong enouch to stick through the card on to the cookie sheet? Hmmm

[one l michele]

Supermind or Mighty Mind, you can even get add on blocks for siblings.

[abbeyej]

My kids use them to build in 3-d as well as to make 2-d mosaics, etc. So I would hesitate to get the magnetic ones. The wooden ones are so versatile and have been used far beyond their original purpose (though for it as well, certainly).

[mcconnellboys]

I have a set of wooden ones that come in a box by Melissa and Doug. I still use them!

[abbeyej]

Supermind or Mighty Mind, you can even get add on blocks for siblings.

But these aren't "pattern blocks" that you can use with other curricula, books or materials. They're a stand-alone pattern blocks *type* game/ exercise. I like these too -- I just wouldn't want someone to buy them thinking they could use them with other "pattern blocks" materials.

[Plaid Dad]

We have the Melissa and Doug ones as well. Dd uses them almost daily, not just for making patterns, but for all kinds of things.

(Hat tip: Abbey recommended pattern blocks to me several years back. They were a great investment. Thanks, Abbey! :))

[Susie in CA]

We use the wooden blocks. My kids don't like to use any of the patternblock books, though. They prefer to build their own designs.

Susie