What do you buy the boy who has everything? That was the problem we were met with this Christmas. He may only be 7yrs old but already my son is becoming increasingly hard to buy for. Past Christmases and birthdays you could always count on Lego sets and Hot Wheels cars and tracks but we needed something different this year. He still likes collecting cars but doesn’t play with them quite so much anymore (except in the summer when he puts all his tracks together outside and has them running down the slide etc). As for Lego, he has so much he could probably build us an extension.
Trawling the internet for ideas I found a forum where a woman was asking for ideas for her son who was in the same position and someone (I wish I had made a note of her name so I could thank her) recommended Kapla. Intrigued, I went investigating.
Here a couple of pictures from the accompanying book.
The book doesn’t contain instructions, just endless pages of inspiration, perfect for my son who prefers to use his own imagination. The box is actually much bigger than I expected (and quite heavy), and is really sturdy with a handy string carry handle. The idea book forms the lid so that the two can always be kept together.
When my son first opened it on Christmas morning he was a little perplexed as he’d never seen Kapla before, but the minute he got them out and started playing around with them he was over the moon. Below are just a few of his creations.
This was by far the best present all Christmas and is played with all the time (unlike a lot of other things which are already gathering dust). I like the fact that although its seems simple, it grows with the child. My 2yr old loves lining them up across the floor in a perfect line and sometimes practices stacking them, so they are helping her with her fine motor skills. My son loves making towers and each time he is learning how to make things more stable and more elaborate and as gets older and learns more, his creations will become bigger and more intricate.
I know for a fact them when my husband returns from Sea the two of them are going to be coming up with some pretty impressive creations.
So, is Kapla the best building toy since Lego? For us it certainly is. In a way it’s an unfair comparison because they are so vastly different and that’s not really what this post is about. In this house Lego is played with on an almost daily basis and has been for the last 7 yrs. No other toy has ever come close to capturing my sons love of building as much as Lego. Until now. Kapla has provided him with a whole new way of building that has really ignited his imagination. In fact, even his Lego creations have improved since using Kapla.
We went for the box with 280 blocks and so far M hasn’t created anything that has used up all of them so I think it was a good choice. At just over £60 I was a little concerned that I was spending a lot of money on something he might not like, but I needn’t have worried, they have been worth every penny already and I can see us buying a bigger box in the future!
This is not a sponsored post and I was in no way compensated for writing it, this was just a present my son received at Christmas that I thought may interest you. The post does however contain affiliate links to Amazon in accordance with my disclosure policy.
This looks like such an interesting toy! I love the models your boy has already made – they look fab. I think anything that inspires kids to use their imagination and problem-solving is a winner. #FamilyFun
Lucy At Home recently posted…Easy Peasy Party Bunting In 3 Quick Steps
Thank you, it’s definitely a winner in this house!
Ooh, looks interesting, I’d never heard of it before. Risk of splinters??? #bestandworst
I’d never heard of it either and it’s fantastic. No worries about splinters, the blocks are completely smooth x
This is one for the memory bank! I can totally see why in the first place it doesn’t look appealing but yep you can do so much. Great first tries with the building! Thank you for linking up to the #familyfunlinky
Karen | TwoTinyHands recently posted…Winter Sun Fun #FamilyFunLinky
It’s fantastic. I just had a bit of play tonight and it’s so addictive. My youngest found it hilarious to pass me blocks to add then just as it was starting to look good she’d kick it over and roll around laughing 😂
Ohhh this does look interesting, Alfie loves to construct things and I’m always after new things to try. I will check out the website, thanks for sharing and some rather fab creations there! #bestandworst
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We love it. If you search online you’ll see all the amazing things you can create, blew me away
Wow! This is so cool! I have not heard of this before. But I will definitely consider this as a present for Ethan’s birthday coming up very soon! Thank you very much for linking up with us on #FabFridayPost
Su {Ethan & Evelyn} recently posted…#FabFridayPost January 2017 Round Up
I hadn’t either, so glad I read that forum, my kids love it x
I haven’t heard of this before but it looks amazing! What fun! #ablogginggoodtime
Crummy Mummy recently posted…The only 10 things you need in your hospital bag
Thank you, it was great find that’s for sure x
I’m wondering where I’ve been that I’ve never heard of these little gems! They definitely look like a toy that a child can grow into. Your son looks quite talented with his!!! #globalblogging
Carolina Twin Mom / Mary Peterson recently posted…Let’s Clean Up Our Closet Catastrophes!
I’d never heard of them either till I read that forum. I don’t know how they’re not more widely known, although I think they are in other countries. By far one of the best toys I’ve ever bought x
That looks amazing and I’ve never heard of it, definitely something to bear in mind for future birthdays and Christmas ideas. A really great post #fortheloveofblog
Thank you, it really is great, we’re very big fans in this house x
Those look amazing! My engineer hubby would be just as taken as my son. #dreamteam
Becki Parsons recently posted…Woodland Hedgehugs Activity Book | Review
Ha ha, yes they are an engineers dream for sure!
I hasn’t heard of this but it looks brilliant and I love that the storage box is sturdy and that the book doubles as a lid! You have a talented architect on your hands there Mrs! Thanks for sharing with #DreamTeam x
Rhyming with Wine recently posted…#DreamTeam Linky Week 40
Thank you, funnily enough we all think he’s an architect in the making. He agrees, but also wants to be a car designer and an inventor!
I have never heard of Kapla before. How lucky that you came across that forum post as it seems Kapla has been a complete hit in your house. It does look a lot of fun.
#MarvMondays
I am so grateful to that post, years of fun ahead for both kids (and our children 😬) x
This looks brilliant. I haven’t seen anything like this before. It certainly s great alternative to traditional building blocks #marvmondays
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