AnonyMouse_468 Posted May 2, 2006 Posted May 2, 2006 We've recently done some fundraising in our Nursery and had hoped to buy some large scale construction for our outdoor area (set containing blocks, planks, etc). I have had a look on the community playthings website as their large wooden blocks are the sort of thing that we were after. However, our money does not go a long way! The smallest set, which only contains 17 pieces is £285. The class set, which we would ideally like is £870. Unfortunately, this is way over what we can afford. I just wondered what other settings use for large scale construction. I've had a quick look through several educational catalogues, but haven't found anything different. We already have Big Builder which we use indoors and have inherited a kit called Quadro, which is far too hard for 3 and 4 years olds to use. I would just like some basic wooden or plastic blocks and planks for children to use particularly in a group situation. Any ideas anyone? Jackie
Guest Posted May 2, 2006 Posted May 2, 2006 Hi Jackie. We used to have plastic construction blocks and planks that were brightly coloured and fitted together with two pegs at the bottom of each of them (if that makes sense!). They came with planks and were ideal for constructing obstacle courses and the like. Not sure where they came from or how much they cost, but I will have a scout around and see if I can find them and then let you know.
AnonyMouse_4544 Posted May 2, 2006 Posted May 2, 2006 (edited) We have a number of large construction sets including the wooden blocks which the children love and get a great deal of learning from, but they are expensive some suggestions http://www.hope-education.co.uk/webapp/wcs...l=Y&br=01&cc=06 http://www.hope-education.co.uk/webapp/wcs...l=Y&br=01&cc=06 http://www.hope-education.co.uk/webapp/wcs...l=Y&br=01&cc=06 http://www.hope-education.co.uk/webapp/wcs...l=Y&br=01&cc=06 Edited May 2, 2006 by Marion
Guest Posted May 2, 2006 Posted May 2, 2006 We use plastic crates (from the milkman) and planks of wood. It's not without its safety issues - the crates can overbalance (although most things might suffer from this) and we've had a few scratches from rough bits on them. The planks are fine, but due to the rough edges, I've run a strip of duck tape around the outside to lessen the liklihood of splinters. The children love using them for building, making walkways or making ramps for vehicles, but they are fully supervised when using them.
Guest Posted May 2, 2006 Posted May 2, 2006 We've got some large blocks of foam, all about house brick size. (the type that cheap sofas are stuffed with) from the scrap store, free of charge, but you could buy some and cut to size I suppose. The children love building castles/towers/houses with them and if they fall on them they are soft and squishy! They also like posting them as parcels, drilling holes in them with our toy drill/tool set, delivering them as pizzas and putting them in wheelbarrows and wheeling them around the garden We use them indoors and outdoors Carolyn
Guest Posted May 2, 2006 Posted May 2, 2006 We have the wooden blocks from community playthings and they are used every day. I would buy as much as you can afford and do some more fundraising and buy some more as and when you can.
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