Child development experts uniformly advocate block play. No toy encourages a child’s imagination like wood blocks. Recent research from the Seattle Children’s Hospital Research Institute concludes that children who play with blocks score an average of 15% higher on language tests and have better impulse control and longer attention spans. Many a great thinker has attributed his or her attainments to the “simple” blocks used as a kid. And for the more advance builders check out building planks and marble and blocks sets; you are never too old for building blocks!