A little disclaimer before we start:
This post is entitled, Family Duplo Blocks, but thanks to an awesome reader who contacted me, I was corrected that the blocks we used are not LEGO Duplo blocks- they are Mega Bloks! The great news? Either blocks could be used here 🙂 Enjoy!
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Looking for a great way to include family members in your child’s play? These family blocks are the perfect way to connect young children with their love of blocks and their love of family. You’ll only need a few things around the house to make these family Mega Bloks – oh, and remember those holiday cards you got in the mail? We used the photos from our holiday cards to make these blocks!
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Mega Bloks (or, LEGO duplo blocks)
- Holiday Cards (printed photos work, too!)
- Contact paper or clear tape
We went through our holiday cards and cut out each member in our family. The great thing about contact paper is that it has a grid on the back. This allowed me to cut a 2×3 rectangle that fit perfectly onto the face of the Mega bloks.
**Tip: Be sure to cut the contact paper so that it is flush on the top and bottom of the block, but make sure there is a little extra contact paper to wrap around the block so the photo won’t fall off!
Offer these Family Blocks alongside the standard Mega Bloks. Extend the play by graphing family members into categories like: male/female, Uncles/Aunts/Cousins/Grandparents, immediate/extended family, etc.
**Tip: The long blocks are a great base for graphing!
So, where’s the learning?
- Fine Motor Skills as they stack the blocks
- Recognition of faces/family members
- Learning family titles: Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, etc.
- Exposure to graphing
- Storytelling/recalling family memories
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These blocks are a beloved addition to our play. We not only get to spend time together building, but we get to recall the wonderful memories and time that we shared with our family over the holidays. What a perfect start to our New Year!
Your Turn!
Do you still have your holiday cards on hand? What have you used them for?
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Amazon links are provided for you – thank you for your support!
What a cool idea! Family faces are so engaging, I am not surprised it is already a beloved toy!
Thanks, Laura! The faces have taken block play to a whole new level around here!
Hi there! This is a wonderful idea…my little guy loves photos and blocks 🙂 I can’t wait to try it!
Thanks so much, Ashely – I hope your little guy enjoys these as much as we do!
Great idea!! Thanks for sharing – my boys would LOVE these! 🙂
Thanks so much, Claire! We love them, too!!
Thanks for sharing at After School!
What a great idea! Cute, creative and fun!
Thank you for stopping by the Thoughtful Spot Weekly Blog Hop this week. We hope to see you drop by our neck of the woods next week!
Loved this idea, we gave it a go and I’m sure we’ll be using the blocks for some time yet. Here’s our attempt:
Megablock family.