wonderful wooden block play
Like many kindergartens and schools …
we have a supply of the old faithful indoor building blocks.
The children still use them nearly every day, but a couple of years ago we wanted to jazz up the block scene a bit and get in some new ones.
We didn’t want more of the same old thing, so managed to find these magnificent blocks through a company called ‘Mahkupu’ who have since changed their name to ‘Block Play’.
Due to a very supportive committee we were able to purchase the full set of ‘plantation timber’ blocks which included a huge variety of wonderfully shaped blocks which mix and match beautifully with each other …
as well as a set of people and animals, and a castle set.
We also designed the shelving unit and were able to get one of our cabinet maker dads to build it to our specifications …
so the children can have access to them at any time.
Not a day goes by that they aren’t taken out to play ..
The shapes, designs and beautiful natural coloured timber makes the look and feel of the blocks irresistible to the children.
It is a bit hard to see what this started out as, but what wonderful team work and imagination was used to get it to this!
::: UPDATED JULY 8th 2010
If you would like to contact “Block Play” here are their details!
Tell them Sherry and Donna sent you!
Tags: block play, storage, wooden blocks
Wow! These are amazing blocks. I love the way you’ve combined them with rocks, stumps and other natural materials.
I’m interested to notice that the kids are building on tables instead of on the floor. Is this by design or is it just a choice the kids make? It seems that it would make the buildings prone to being tumbled down by a knock on the table, but judging by the size of these structures that obviously isn’t the case! I need to know more! =)
You’re right Tom they are amazing blocks!
With our older style blocks the children prefer to bring them onto the floor to build with, like they have with the train set in the post, probably because they tend to be long and thin and not terribly well balanced, but certainly the preferred platform with these new blocks is the table or the top of the block trolley. Maybe it is because these surfaces are at a good visual height for the children! As for things being knocked down, yes it does happen but not very often. The blocks are very solid and well balanced in their size and shape and as they are symmetrically designed to ‘fit together’ the children are able to include good height in their construction as they compliment this style of building. I think the children like them off the ground because passing traffic doesn’t interfere with the building process … after all children are tunnel visioned and tend not to look where their feet are going! … We like to think it might also be about the children’s good team work and respect for each others creations too!
Over the next few weeks we’ll include posts on other ways the children like to incorporate the blocks into their play.
Cheers, and thank’s for visiting!
I’m sick with block envy!
This blog is great.
They are beautiful blocks – We have a set of the castle blocks – my little boy and I love playing with them. After looking at your photos I will have to save up and buy some more.
I agree with jenny – block envy.
And that structure they created is wonderful!
Ooh, (mouth still open) I’m like Jenny…simply sick with block envy!
Can you tell me where you purchased the lovely blocks from. I haven’t had any luck trying to find them on the web.
Thanks.
Lucy
Lucy those blocks are delicious aren’t they? Unfortunately the company name has changed since we purchased our blocks. They were then name “Mahkupu” but we believe they may now be known as “Block Play”. All I can give you is an email address we had which is – mahkupu@hotmail.com. We also have a mobile number which I will find and email to you A.S.A.P.
Have you had any luck locating information about these blocks. We tried the email address given and now one replied back to us. We would like to add these to our block area.
::: Leslie, unfortunately the email and mobile phone information is all we have. It would be real shame if they didn’t exist any more.
do you mind sharing the mobile phone information or have you tried calling as well and can’t get anyone.
Yes it would be a shame—they would have lots of business! These are wonderful!
Did you all make the shelving unit or was it purchased–I like how this “displays’ the blocks so that the children can really see the materials.
::: Leslie I have just made contact with ‘Block Play’ and here are their details!
If anyone would like to contact with ‘Block Play’, they can email them at: blocks@tpg.com.au or phone Steven: 0408 437 417 or Vanessa: 0437 951 451 and they can then send you their 2010 DVD catalogue.
Thank You so much!!