The older your baby gets, the more interested they are in getting toys they can assemble (or disassemble, like my daughter). A great toy for this stage is building blocks. If you’ve got younger children, there are large-sized blocks, such as the ones in this Mega Bloks vs Duplo comparison that they cannot swallow. They’re also easy to take apart and create new structures. These have connection points that help to keep these elements together.
- My Top Picks
- Why you should consider them
- Main features – similarities and differences
- Mega Bloks vs Duplo – Which one to choose?
- Mega Bloks First Builders Big Building Bag – option 1
- Mega Bloks First Builders Big Building Bag – option 2
- LEGO DUPLO My First Bricks
- LEGO DUPLO All-in-One-Box-of-Fun Building Kit
- Conclusion
My Top Picks
- More girly color set – Mega Bloks First Builders Big Building Bag – option 1
- More boyish color set – Mega Bloks First Builders Big Building Bag – option 2
- Best for building animals – LEGO DUPLO My First Bricks
- Best for special structures – LEGO DUPLO All-in-One-Box-of-Fun Building Kit
Why you should consider them
Children naturally like playing with toys that they can put together and take apart whenever it suits them. Playing blocks are an excellent option for playtime sessions as they’re suitable for children of any age.
The only thing you would have to consider is the size of the blocks when dealing with younger toddlers. These days, you’ll even come across playing blocks with special pieces to create a variety of structures. Various sources have confirmed the numerous benefits of playing with Lego blocks or also with the Mega Bloks.
Here’s me and my daughter playing with Mega Bloks. Not for long though as she’s become very good at disassembling.
Main features – similarities and differences
Cost
With all toy options, how much you can spend will define which brand you can look at. In general, LEGO DUPLO costs more than Mega Bloks.
Material
To enable your child to create sturdy structures, playing blocks are made of plastic. With the option, you choose to buy, ensure that its plastic is safe.
Child’s age
Blocks for older toddlers wouldn’t be suitable for younger ones. That’s the case because they would have smaller, more intricately joined pieces to make sophisticated structures. Bigger pieces would work better for little ones also because they cannot be swallowed.
Accessories
Block collections with special pieces such as windows, wheels, and decorated blocks allow your child to create more variety with the set.
Assembly
Blocks are meant to build on each other. If the blocks don’t hold together well, that pack will fail to serve its purpose. For a child that would also be a frustrating block collection to own.
Purpose
Would you like to build your child’s motor skills or creativity? Basic pieces will get them to understand how blocks work. However, to enhance creativity, sets with decorative pieces would work best.
Compatibility
You can easily build up your playing block set by getting compatible pieces. Therefore, choose brands that can be added on to as you will have more variety for your child.
Mega Bloks vs Duplo – Which one to choose?
Both these toy block sets come with their advantages. To help make your selection easier, consider mostly your child’s age. Mega Bloks has pieces that are large enough for smaller children. Duplo blocks are also slightly large, but some parents do not recommend them for young toddlers. This is why I chose Mega Bloks for my daughter. This option has unique shapes and the number of structures we could build are nearly endless.
Mega Bloks First Builders Big Building Bag – option 1
Product information
- Package dimensions: 12x6x14 inches
- Weight: 1 pound
- Number of pieces: 80 pieces
Why it’s a good option
To get your child started on their building structures is the pink pack of Mega Bloks First Builders Big Building Bag a great option. The pieces are large, making them easy for little hands to hold. Their size also serves as an advantage since they cannot easily get swallowed. They can be used to make a variety of shapes and structures as they are basic blocks. With this pack, you’ll get dark and light pink, white, bright green, and lavender, colored blocks. These are all contained in a handy storage bag, which makes cleanup easy. The blocks are made of polypropylene, which is a safe type of plastic that doesn’t break or crack easily if it falls.
Who it’s suitable for
Children from a minimum of one year can use them.
Pros
- Comes in a variety of colors
- Large blocks
- Ideal for creating tall structures
- Made from safe plastic
- They do not break even after falls
- Can be used outdoors and inside
- Easy to clean
- Has a big storage bag
- Durable
Cons
- Sometimes pieces don’t hold together very well but it’s definitely not a showstopper
Mega Bloks First Builders Big Building Bag – option 2
Product information
- Package dimensions: 12x6x14 inches
- Weight: 1 pound
- Number of pieces: 80 pieces
Why it’s a good option
This blue pack of Mega Bloks First Builders Big Building Bag is a great option if you need a different color combination which is more suitable for boys. These pieces are great for use either indoors or outside. In case you need to disinfect them or they get dirty, cleaning them is simple. You only need to soak them in hot soapy water and leave them out to air dry. Your child will love these pieces as they can be used to create anything they desire. Once they’re done, the package also serves as a storage bag for quick cleanups.
Who it’s suitable for
Suitable for one-year-olds and above.
Pros
- Comes with a wheelset to create a vehicle
- Has many colors
- Suitable for multiple children to play with
- Lightweight and easy to carry around
- Safe as they contain big pieces
- Affordable
- Made from nontoxic polypropylene plastic
Cons
- Pieces come loose easily but again this is not a showstopper
LEGO DUPLO My First Bricks
Product information
- Package dimensions: 11.3×11.3×4.5 inches
- Weight: 2 pounds
- Number of pieces: 80 pieces
Why it’s a good option
With the LEGO DUPLO My First Bricks, your child will have a chance to make unique creations. That’s because of the pieces included in the pack. Creations such as flowers, boats, a helicopter, and fish. Some of the pieces have decorations such as passengers in the helicopter. The pack comes with plenty of pieces, making it possible for more than one child to use. Due to the variety of pieces, your child can challenge themselves to even create animal parks. They’re a good option to help enhance motor skills and the level of creativity in younger children. In case you need ideas on what to build, the pack comes with building cards included.
Who it’s suitable for
Children from 18 months and up can use it.
Pros
- Comes with decorated double-sided blocks
- Ideal for younger toddlers
- Bigger pieces reduce choking risk
- Box comes with building suggestions
- Can be used to create unique designs
- Lightweight
- Colorful
- Compatible with other LEGO or DUPLO collections
- Different shapes are included
Cons
- Younger children need help with double-sided pieces
LEGO DUPLO All-in-One-Box-of-Fun Building Kit
Product information
- Package dimensions: 14.6x7x7.1 inches
- Weight: 2.2 pounds
- Number of pieces: 65 pieces
Why it’s a good option
For beginner toy blocks that have pieces that your child can relate to more easily, try the LEGO DUPLO All-in-One-Box-of-Fun Building Kit. Your child will get unique pieces such as windows to construct a house. Apart from that, the set also comes with a dog and a boy figure, as well as wheels to create a moving vehicle. You’ll also get decorative pieces with numbers and pictures corresponding to each other. The set includes other ordinary pieces to make a variety of creations. You can add it to your other LEGO DUPLO sets as they’re compatible. The LEGO DUPLO All-in-One-Box-of-Fun Building Kit enables your child to build their imagination based on the special parts included.
Who it’s suitable for
Children who are 18 months and above.
Pros
- Comes with a plastic base to build on
- Package serves as a storage bag
- Has 65 colorful pieces
- Numbered blocks enhance your child’s counting skills
- Has a wheelset, boy, and dog
- Comes with special pieces like windows
- Can build houses, trains, and even trees
- Pieces are easy to assemble
Cons
- Pieces are rather small for the specified age group
Conclusion
Playing blocks create endless hours of fun for children of all ages. With this Mega Bloks vs Duplo comparison, you can get a better view of what’s most suitable for your little one.
Would they prefer the packs with the double-sided pieces? Do they still find the packs with ordinary blocks exciting? Whatever the answer, these are toys that will last you for quite a few years if they’re well taken care of. That’s partly because their plastic material makes them durable enough to withstand the rigors of child play.
By the way, I wrote some other comparison posts which you might be interested in checking out: Mega Bloks vs Lego and Mega Construx or Lego.
Last update on 2024-04-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
