jg_puppy Posted November 9, 2008 Share Posted November 9, 2008 I am thinking about getting my son some blocks for Christmas. I know that I have seen Kapla and Keva mentioned before. Does anyone have any experience of one over the other? Is there another brand that you prefer over both of these? Anything your sons like playing with the blocks that I should consider getting? My son will be 6 in January and loves building things so I think he will like a large set of blocks. Thanks. Jan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pam "SFSOM" in TN Posted November 9, 2008 Share Posted November 9, 2008 I am thinking about getting my son some blocks for Christmas. I know that I have seen Kapla and Keva mentioned before. Does anyone have any experience of one over the other? Is there another brand that you prefer over both of these? Anything your sons like playing with the blocks that I should consider getting? My son will be 6 in January and loves building things so I think he will like a large set of blocks. Thanks. Jan Keva! Made of maple, made in the US, cheaper than Kapla. I love our Kapla's, but if I were doing new, I'd do the biggest set of Keva's I could afford. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jg_puppy Posted November 9, 2008 Author Share Posted November 9, 2008 Keva! Made of maple, made in the US, cheaper than Kapla. I love our Kapla's, but if I were doing new, I'd do the biggest set of Keva's I could afford. Thank you. That is the type of information that I am looking for. Jan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abbeyej Posted November 9, 2008 Share Posted November 9, 2008 ...cheaper than Kapla... I didn't find that to be true when I was in the market for these. The list prices were almost exactly the same, and I was able to find Kaplas on sale, so much cheaper. I've been very happy with them (though likely I would have been with Keva as well). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soph the vet Posted November 9, 2008 Share Posted November 9, 2008 I got Kapla at Target on clearance. My dc love them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lynn Posted November 9, 2008 Share Posted November 9, 2008 I found Kapla's at target for less than 1/2 price after Christmas. my ds loved playing with them and now my dd builds with them all the time. I have no experience with the Keva's Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jg_puppy Posted November 10, 2008 Author Share Posted November 10, 2008 I sounds like more people actually have Kapla blocks. I have another question. What size would be a good started size set? I will mainly be buying these for my son, but I expect that my dd who is 8 will likely want to play with them as well. Thanks. Jan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abbeyej Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 What size would be a good started size set? As many as you can afford. Really. I think we have about 700? I'm not sure. That's enough to build a *lot*, but the kids also routinely use them all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6packofun Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 I dunno, but I want these: http://www.hearthsong.com/hearthsong/product.do?section_id=2&sc=1005&bc=1005&pgc=2538&cmvalue=HS|CROSSSELL|PRODUCT|2537 I understand the draw of plain plank type blocks, but these are just too cool. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer in MI Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 We bought the 1000 set and wish we had more!! But, we have three kids who play with them all the time. These are the toys that are out most often!! Buy the biggest set you can afford - especially if you have more than one child!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alessandra Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 I was just thinking about buying some regular wood blocks (the big ones in nursery schools, etc) when I saw this thread. Can anyone enlighten me about the differences between regular blocks and Kapla/Keva (besides the obvious size difference)? I saw some pretty amazing pix of intricate kapla block construction --are they much harder to use than regular blocks? I am wondering if everything would collapse when my (not always careful) dc got involved. BTW, my dc are both 8 -- and I am tired of picking up teensy pieces of lego and k'nex. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amy g. Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 I have both the nursery school unit blocks and a classroom sized set of Kevas. My 2 year old has the unit blocks in her bedroom, but she rarely plays with them. We have one bucket of Kevas in the den, one in the playroom, and one in my 14 year old's room. They play with the Kevas several times a day. My 2 year old can build stables and stalls by herself, and she will direct/command a big kid to make her more intricate designs. "No, Nanny, tiny HOUSE, big PLATFORM!" It might depend on the kid, though. I had a friend's 4 and 6 year old over, and they were frustrated with the Kevas. If I were you, I'd go to a big toy store with a play area, and see which toys your child gravitates to more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
julesmama3 Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 This is OT but pretty funny. Last year I bought Kapla blocks through the mail for my son for Christmas. Well one day they came in the mail and I wasn't home so they left the box on my front porch. I didn't realize this until later when I looked out and saw chewed up box and blocks all over my front steps. My crazy 1 year old lab had gotten to the box before me. I had to pick up 200 blocks from the mud and tons of shredded cardboard. Let's just say that the dog almost died that day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jg_puppy Posted November 10, 2008 Author Share Posted November 10, 2008 This is OT but pretty funny. Last year I bought Kapla blocks through the mail for my son for Christmas. Well one day they came in the mail and I wasn't home so they left the box on my front porch. I didn't realize this until later when I looked out and saw chewed up box and blocks all over my front steps. My crazy 1 year old lab had gotten to the box before me. I had to pick up 200 blocks from the mud and tons of shredded cardboard. Let's just say that the dog almost died that day. That is funny. I am considering the 200 block set and when I showed it to my husband his first response was "How many dog treats are in the box?". He is a little worried that our dogs might try to chew the blocks. Thanks everyone for your help. Jan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Margaret in GA Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 I was just thinking about buying some regular wood blocks (the big ones in nursery schools, etc) when I saw this thread. Can anyone enlighten me about the differences between regular blocks and Kapla/Keva (besides the obvious size difference)? I saw some pretty amazing pix of intricate kapla block construction --are they much harder to use than regular blocks? I am wondering if everything would collapse when my (not always careful) dc got involved. BTW, my dc are both 8 -- and I am tired of picking up teensy pieces of lego and k'nex. Kapla/Keva for sure. My 8 yo plays with them every single day. He hasn't played with "regular" blocks in forever. Get as many as you can afford. We have about 700 and wish we had more! Margaret Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alessandra Posted November 14, 2008 Share Posted November 14, 2008 Margaret & Amy Thank you for the advice -- the idea about seeing what dd plays with is great -- why didn't I think of that? She has some motor issues. I wish I had skipped the plastic toys when she was little, lol! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bluehenks Posted March 21, 2009 Share Posted March 21, 2009 Has anyone mixed the sets? I was looking an buying some of each from craigslist and ebay...so as to get a lot at the best price. Do you know if they are compatible: exaxt same size? It occurs to me now that the different weight of the Kapla pine and the Keva maple might present imcompatibility. Would love comments form anyone with first hand experience. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kalanamak Posted March 22, 2009 Share Posted March 22, 2009 I dunno, but I want these: http://www.hearthsong.com/hearthsong/product.do?section_id=2&sc=1005&bc=1005&pgc=2538&cmvalue=HS|CROSSSELL|PRODUCT|2537 I understand the draw of plain plank type blocks, but these are just too cool. :) Here are all the sets: http://www.museumtour.com/product/5395/# Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kalanamak Posted March 22, 2009 Share Posted March 22, 2009 Has anyone mixed the sets? I was looking an buying some of each from craigslist and ebay...so as to get a lot at the best price. Do you know if they are compatible: exaxt same size? It occurs to me now that the different weight of the Kapla pine and the Keva maple might present imcompatibility. Would love comments form anyone with first hand experience. Thanks! Keva says you can: http://www.kevaplanks.com/articles.asp?id=149 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clwcain Posted March 22, 2009 Share Posted March 22, 2009 Keva Planks here. No complaints. No second thoughts. Even I play with them once the kids are asleep. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom2boys Posted March 22, 2009 Share Posted March 22, 2009 If I were you, I'd go to a big toy store with a play area, and see which toys your child gravitates to more. Or a children's museum. We "test-drove" Kaplas at a children's museum before buying them. I bought new sets on ebay for a good price. That was a couple of years ago though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clwcain Posted March 23, 2009 Share Posted March 23, 2009 Or a children's museum. We "test-drove" Kaplas at a children's museum before buying them. I bought new sets on ebay for a good price. That was a couple of years ago though. We did the same, but with Keva Planks. I'll second this recommendation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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