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Your baby is developing new skills by the day! They’re ready to play and you’re ready to invest in toys that are more than mere objects of entertainment. Building blocks are a classic plaything that can help little ones to develop fine motor skills, cognitive abilities, and more! But this doesn’t mean that your kiddo is ready for a heavy set of wooden blocks just yet.
Enter the soft block. Unlike traditional wooden blocks, these sets are made from silicone, fabric, foam, and other similarly cloud-like materials. This gives the blocks structure – minus the sharp corners and hard surfaces. If you’re not sure which blocks are best for your baby or where to begin the shopping process, don’t stress. We’ve researched some of the top soft clocks for the youngest builders!
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The benefits of playing with blocks
Block play provides benefits galore! By three-months many babies can grasp and shake small toys, at six to eight months they transfer objects between hands, and as they round the nine-month mark your little one could use their thumb and index finger in unison with a pincer grasp, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). While these fine motor milestones may seem like they just happen – your kiddo needs some practice to fully develop their hand and finger skills. This is where block play comes in.
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The ability to move and manipulate blocks allows the infant to work on hand/finger strength, develop hand-eye coordination, and improve dexterity. Not only will these fine motor changes help your kiddo to increase their block building skills, they will also transfer into other areas. These include feeding, grasping and gripping other items, and eventually dressing themselves, writing, or creating their own works of art!
Along with fine motor skill development, soft block play can also help your baby to explore through their senses, build cognitive abilities, and explore early science and math concepts. According to information from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), addition/subtraction, counting, and problem solving are specific science and math skills that block building can help young children to learn. Your kiddo will also get the chance to develop language/communication, social, and emotional abilities via soft block play.
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What to look for in soft block toys
It’s all in the name! Soft is the crucial feature to look for when choosing blocks for infants. But this doesn’t mean you want to buy blocks that squish flat when your tough tot gets a little bit too rough with them. Make sure the blocks are sturdy, durable, and made from materials that won’t easily tear or rip. Styrofoam is lightweight – but can easily break into small, potential choking hazards. Instead of a material that could quickly crumble, look for blocks made from high-quality medical-grade silicone or fabric.
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Along with a soft, lightweight texture, choose building blocks that will visually appeal to your baby, stimulate the senses, and have an educational aspect to them. Bright or bold colors, patterns, and designs such as animal faces, letters, or numbers are top options that provide plenty of visual interest.
And, while your kiddo isn’t exactly ready to read or try complicated math equations just yet, alphabet or counting blocks can help your little one to get familiar with letters and numbers. This allows them to develop early literacy and math skills that they can build on as they move into the toddler, preschool, and school-age years.
Here are the best soft building blocks for babies:
Mini Tudou Soft Building Blocks
Best Silicone Blocks
$16 $26 Save $10
Mini Tudou Soft Building Blocks are a 12-piece set of food-grade silicone soft blocks that are BPA-free and non-toxic. Each block comes with a textured design, number, letter, or animal that adds an educational aspect to building.
- For Ages
- 3 months+
- Batteries Required
- No
- Assembly Required
- No
- Interactive
- No
- Number of Pieces
- 12
- Dimensions
- 2 x 2 x 2 inches
- Material
- Food grade silicone
- Made from food-grade, BPA-free silicone
- Includes textured sensory sides
- Doubles as a teether
- Only comes in pastel/lighter colors
The Mini Tudou Soft Building Blocks 12-piece set pulls double duty! These blocks are more than just buildable playthings. Made from food-grade, BPA-free silicone, these blocks also double as teethers for your baby. Not only will the textured sides soothe baby’s gums, they also provide an extra sensory stimulus. Along with texture, these sensory toys also include letters, numbers, animals, and designs to look at and a soft, squeaky noise to hear!
Made for infants six months and up, your growing baby can build fine motor and cognitive skills as they move and manipulate the blocks. These blocks also score high marks for the addition of letters and numbers on the sides. This adds an extra learning aspect to block play that other sets may not have. Parents praise the educational impact of these blocks and some even note that their kiddos use them well past the toddler years, “Liked the blocks they are soft, easy for babies to use. Even my 5 year old son liked them and is doing math with the numbers and signs on the blocks.”
Infantino Super Soft Building Blocks
Best Size Assortment
The Infantino Super Soft Building Blocks set includes 12 connectable, stackable pieces. The BPA-free blocks come in different sizes and colors and are recommended for all ages.
- Batteries Required
- No
- Assembly Required
- No
- Interactive
- No
- Number of Pieces
- 12
- Dimensions
- 7.5 x 2.75 x 8 inches
- Material
- Thermoplastic elastomers (TPE)
- Small, medium, and large sizes
- Blocks connect
- BPA-free
- The bottom is open, making it difficult to stack the blocks in every direction
Infantino Super Soft Building Blocks is the baby-friendly version of the plastic building bricks your older kiddo loves. These soft BPA-free blocks squish when your baby or toddler squeezes them – but are still completely stackable!
The blocks score high marks for their texture, ability to connect together, and size variety. Instead of just one size or shape of block, you’ll get small, medium, and large pieces in squares and rectangles. This gives baby more play options and can boost their fine motor skills. And, if you have concerns about your kiddo accidentally hitting themselves with a building block, parents pick this option as a safer choice, “I wanted blocks that baby couldn’t clonk himself with while he’s still gaining arm and hand control. He loves these and so far, all the gnawing and drooling over them hasn’t made any difference.”
ECR4Kids SoftZone Building Blocks
Best Bigger Block Set
$75 $80 Save $5
The ECR4Kids SoftZone Building Blocks are a 12-piece set of cube-style foam blocks. Available in three different color assortments, these blocks are Greenguard Gold certified for low VOCs. Recommended for children nine-months and older.
- For Ages
- 6 months+
- Batteries Required
- No
- Assembly Required
- No
- Interactive
- No
- Number of Pieces
- 12
- Dimensions
- 6 x 6 x 6 inches
- Material
- Vegan leather
- Color assortment variety
- Larger size
- Durable construction
The 5.5 by 5.5 by 5.5 inch size of the ECR4Kids SoftZone Building Blocks makes this top pick a different way for your child to engage in fine motor play. Instead of the teeny tiny cubes your little one may already use, these blocks are larger and encourage your child to grip or hug the pieces with more than just the tips of their fingers.
The colorful blocks score points for the three color assortment options and ease of stackability, “These are so fun to play with. My toddlers have so much fun stacking these and knocking them down. They’re soft and sturdy. The colors are beautiful!”
While the price-point is somewhat higher than other sets and your child can’t chew on these blocks teether-style, they can start to develop STEM science, technology, engineering, and math) skills along with vocabulary/language, motor, and cognitive abilities. And, if your infant just wants to explore through their senses, the soft foam blocks are the perfect option!
Kingtree Baby Blocks
Best Value
This set of nine Kingtree Baby Blocks features animals, plants, fruit, and numbers on the top, bottom, and sides. The textured blocks are made from BPA-free food-grade silicone. Recommended for infants six-months and up.
- For Ages
- 6 months+
- Batteries Required
- No
- Assembly Required
- No
- Interactive
- No
- Number of Pieces
- 9
- Dimensions
- 2.16 x 2.16 x 2.16 inches
- Material
- Silicone
- Embossed textured designs
- Bright, bold colors
- Price
A cartoon cow, a brightly-hued tiger, a shining sun, and other raised designs make the Kingtree Baby Blocks a top choice. These colorful blocks come in a set of nine and are made from soft, but sturdy, BPA-free food-grade silicone. The blocks squish easily and – when your kiddo squeezes hard enough – make a squeaky noise.
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Not only is the silicone material safer for your child, it is easy to care for. If you’re looking for convenience when it comes to toy maintenance, you won’t have an issue with this set. Choose to rinse and wipe the blocks or boil them for a short time to disinfect the surface. And, if your child loves to put almost everything in their mouth, the convenient care factor is a major bonus, “My one year old grandson loves to stack and knock them down. He also likes to chew on them…easy to clean after.”
B. Toys Soft Fabric Building Blocks
Best Design
B. Toys Soft Fabric Building Blocks is a set of six soft fabric textured cubes. Recommended for ages six months and up, these blocks come with five interchangeable inserts for totally different sensory experiences.
- For Ages
- 6 months+
- Batteries Required
- No
- Assembly Required
- No
- Interactive
- No
- Number of Pieces
- 6
- Dimensions
- 8.5 x 3.75 x 11.5 inches
- Material
- Fabric
- Interchangeable inserts add versatility
- Soft fabric exterior
- Comes in a reusable bag with a carry handle
The B. Toys Soft Fabric Building Blocks scores high marks for its overall versatility. Unlike solid blocks, these cubes have openings that lead to an interior hollow. The set comes with five different pieces, including rattles and shakers, to place inside. This gives baby even more fine motor practice and helps to create a super-charged sensory experience.
Not only does each block have an inside compartment to house the interchangeable inserts, the exterior features bright colors, bold patterns, animated animals, food-themed designs, and letters. Along with visual stimulation, the blocks also provide an early literacy activity and can help your little one to build their budding vocabulary. Parents seem to enjoy this aspect, “The alphabet and animal prints on each block make learning engaging and interactive. It’s a fantastic way to introduce letters and animals to our little one while they play.”
Baby Einstein Explore and Discover Soft Blocks
Best Fabric Soft Blocks
$13 $15 Save $2
The Baby Einstein Explore and Discover Soft Blocks are recommended for infants three months and up. This set includes four soft fabric-covered blocks that feature sea creatures, have different textures, and include a peek-a-boo child-safe mirror.
- For Ages
- 3 months+
- Batteries Required
- No
- Assembly Required
- No
- Interactive
- No
- Number of Pieces
- 4
- Dimensions
- 7.4 x 4 x 7.9 inches
- Material
- Plastic
- Cute character design
- Child-safe mirror accessory
- Price
Infants and toddlers can engage in more than just fine motor play with the Baby Einstein Explore & Discover Soft Blocks. Even though this set of four does provide plenty of opportunities for little ones to build eye-hand coordination, finger muscle strength, and dexterity, they also help the young child to develop cognitive skills, vocabulary, and explore through the senses.
Instead of just flat fabric, these blocks include textured materials that encourage tactile experimentation. But this isn’t where the sensory learning ends. The set also has a chime ball block that adds sound to the mix and a peek-a-boo mirror for extra visual activities. And yes, real-life parents do adore the multi-sensory features that this set has to offer, “Each block side is a different texture/feature. The blue one vibrates and the yellow one has a bell. Each is well made and very eye-catching for babies.”
Melissa and Doug Match and Build Soft Blocks
Best for Building
$21 $33 Save $12
Melissa and Doug Match and Build Soft Blocks feature fabric cubes and 3D triangles that are the perfect size for little hands to build with. Each set comes with 10 colorful cubes covered in numbers, designs, and animal shapes along with four triangles. Recommended for ages nine-months and up.
- For Ages
- 3 months+
- Batteries Required
- No
- Assembly Required
- No
- Interactive
- No
- Number of Pieces
- 14
- Dimensions
- 4.38 x 11.44 x 14.44 inches
- Material
- Fabric
- Two different shapes
- Math concept features
- Activity options grow with your child
Your kiddo won’t have to stop playing with the Melissa and Doug Match and Build Soft Blocks when they age out of the infant/toddler years. The 10 cubes feature numbers, animals, and designs that transition from basic visuals to a more complex number and shape matching game. The different ways to use these blocks is a real plus with many parents, “They are soft, fun, and multifaceted learning toys. Great to build with and knock down. Cute matching games on the sides (cars, animals), counting games, and fun peekaboo flaps.”
The two different shapes allow little ones to experiment with different grips and grasps or build towers, a house, or a castle! While the sides may seem solid, some of the blocks have a flap that reveals a before-after picture. This can help your child to learn about sequencing and develop critical thinking skills.
Manhattan Toy Wimmer-Ferguson Mind Cubes
Best Visual Learning Block Set
The Manhattan Toy Wimmer-Ferguson Mind Cubes are more than just building blocks. The four-cube set is covered in patterns, shapes, numbers, and letters – giving infants the chance to develop visual skills and so much more. Recommended for infants 0+ months.
- For Ages
- 0+
- Batteries Required
- No
- Assembly Required
- No
- Interactive
- No
- Number of Pieces
- 4
- Dimensions
- 3 x 3 x 3 inches
- Material
- Fabric and foam
- Black and white pattern design
- Soft fabric cubes
- Variety of textures
Backed by years of research, the Wimmer-Ferguson line of toys features distinctive black and white patterns that stimulate baby’s senses. The high contrast colors on the blocks add to the experience, helping the youngest learners to develop crucial cognitive skills. Each of the six-sided Manhattan Toy Wimmer-Ferguson Mind Cubes is three by three by three inches of educational entertainment! This top toy pick is an ideal option for newborns and very young babies, “Good contrast on blocks for the newborns to focus on. And plenty of different patterns & colors.”
Along with bold colors and patterns, this block set also includes letters, shapes, and animals. These add to the experience and can help your child to explore early literacy concepts, develop their vocabulary, and learn about basic geometry concepts.
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Why do babies and toddlers love building blocks?
Your little one’s block collection is their prime pick – even though its sans the bright lights, whirling colors, bleeps, beeps, and songs of their electronic tech-heavy toys. So, why would your kiddo happily pick a plain block over a walking, talking toy version of their favorite cartoon character or a mini musical instrument that plays 627 different tunes?
While blocks may seem basic, they’re open-ended playthings that invite babies and toddlers to explore through their senses and come up with as many different ways to play as they want to! As your baby moves into the toddler years, you may notice an uptick in independent actions. The ability to choose and use blocks in multiple ways will appeal to your infant’s growing sense of independence.
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Along with the ability to play in many different ways, blocks provide the sensory stimuli your baby or toddler needs right now. Between the colors, patterns, textures, and sometimes even sounds of the blocks, your child will get the chance to explore through their senses as they handle, build with, or simply experiment with their new set of soft blocks.
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