Why you can actually have too many blocks

Blocks are a classic for a reason. They help your baby develop gross and fine motor skills and learn about balance, cause and effect, gravity, and geometry.
Yet at this age, child development professionals recommend only giving your baby 3 to 4 blocks to play with at a time, to prevent them from being overwhelmed and losing interest. Your baby will enjoy that big block set when they’re older.
Here’s how babies play with blocks:
Picking up a block

Banging blocks together
Between 8 ½ and 12 months, your baby may start to use both of their hands to bang the blocks together. You can help them get there by putting your hands over your baby’s while they hold the blocks. Bang the blocks together hand-over-hand, then see if your baby imitates you on their own. Try banging in a rhythm; eventually they will copy you.
Play “Boom!”
Even though they probably can’t build a tower on their own yet, they will love to knock down a small one you build for them.
Putting blocks in containers
Your baby will love to put blocks into a container starting around 10 to 11 months. Before they learn to put the blocks in, though, they will want to dump them out, so you can put them in the container for your baby at first.
Stacking 2 blocks without balancing
By around 11 to 12 months, your baby may be able to put one block on top of the other without necessarily balancing them. See if your baby is ready to try this on their own by showing them how you put one block on top of the other.
Attempt to resist the temptation to “fix” your baby’s stack of blocks, so they can learn which positions support the blocks and which will not.
Stacking and balancing two or more blocks

Around 12 to 16 months, your toddler will likely start building a tower with two blocks. When they’re between 16 and 18 months, they may start building a tower with 3 blocks, and between 18 and 22 months, they will likely be ready for 4-block towers.
In this post

The Explorer Play Kit
The Explorer Play Kit engages your 9-10 month old baby’s senses as they explore object permanence, shape changing, feelings, and basic concepts which help build their coordination and concentration.
Learn more
The Block Set
A brilliant set of 70 quality solid-wood blocks for building spatial, language, and problem-solving skills for more than 20 stage-based activities. See inside The Block Set by Lovevery.
Learn morePosted in: 9 - 10 Months, Cause and Effect, Problem Solving, Fine Motor, Stacking, Math, Blocks, Child Development
Keep reading

9 - 10 Months
Your baby’s amazing encyclopedic brain
The most meaningful learning happens when your baby is exposed to everyday objects and events. Here are some ways to help your baby build their intelligence.

9 - 10 Months
Why you can actually have too many blocks
Blocks unlock powerful learning for babies, but child development experts recommend limiting the number of blocks you give yours. Learn why in our post.

9 - 10 Months
Why tubes and containers are so essential to your baby
Your baby is starting to understand that objects fall through a tube, but stay put in a container. Learn how the Lovevery Clear Tube reinforces this real-world concept.

9 - 10 Months
Welcome to The Explorer Play Kit for months 9-10
Watch Lovevery CEO Jessica Rolph introduce the Explorer Play Kit for months 9 and 10 of your baby's life.

9 - 10 Months
Sometimes the best toys are not toys at all
Sometimes an everyday object can delight and engage your baby just as much as a toy. Learn how to introduce your baby to the playthings already in your home.

9 - 10 Months
The fascinating powers of a simple Montessori egg
The Lovevery Wood Cup and Egg teach your baby how to use both sides of the body at the same time, essential for learning future tasks like getting dressed.

9 - 10 Months
How to get all the playtime that your toys have to give
Babies' interests evolve, but you don't always need to buy new toys in order to keep up. Lovevery shares new ways to play with familiar favorites.

9 - 10 Months
Helping your baby crawl…and why it’s important to keep them crawling
Pediatric occupational therapist Rachel Coley explains why crawling is vital to babies, and what can happen if they skip this stage.

9 - 10 Months
Self-feeding develops your baby’s fine motor skills
Your baby is learning to use a pincer grasp to pick up objects. Learn why puff snacks can be your baby's favorite (safe) way to practice their new motor skills.

9 - 10 Months
So simple, so fun! 5 new ideas for how to play with a blanket
Blankets can help your baby learn about object permanence, shape, and balance. Here are some fun and simple ways to incorporate blankets into playtime.