September 17, 2009
ART OF BEING MOM
Citiblocs, already a modern classic
It seems like there are fifty new toys a day that hit the market, all clamoring and vying for your child’s attention. Many of them have flashing lights or loud noises or need remote controls - not that those are bad things, some of my favorite toys are electronic. But how often does a toy come along that makes you feel like it’s a modern classic? Something that is sweetly simple, requires imagination and can simultaneously teach and entertain your child. A toy that, when you buy it, becomes a part of your family and even the adults love to play with it?
I introduce you to CitiBlocs! CitiBlocs are refreshingly modest, uncomplicated and unique wooden construction blocks that can build just about anything! Every block is cut precisely using state-of-the-art technology and high-quality Radiata Pine from New Zealand, so your creation needs no glue, snaps or other connectors to stay in place - just good ol’ balance! CitiBlocs are a toy that even the most earth-conscious mama among us would love - not only are CitiBlocs not chemically treated, but they’re 100 % natural New Zealand Radiata Pine CPSIA and ASTM Certified.
Now that the weather is starting to turn cool, I’m finding myself constantly reminded of the fact that it will be snowing here in New England all too soon. Which means that a lot of options for entertaining Anna are taken away - no more playing outside in the grass, no more running around on the deck or splashing in the pool, no more swinging outside or going to the park. So far Anna has hated the snow - we’re really hoping that this year that will change! But, regardless, it can get pretty isolating and desperate as a mom of a toddler during the winter! So I’m thinking more and more about toys and games that we can play inside. And when you think about buying new toys, you want to stretch your money as far as you can with toys that your child will play with for years to come. CitiBlocs are just that kind of toy!
First of all, CitiBlocs come in a variety of different sets - there’s the 52 piece regular pine set, the 52 piece red and blue colored set, the 100 piece set, the 200 piece set, the 300 piece set and finally, the 500 and 1000 piece sets! The blocks are all the same size and shape, it’s just a matter of how many of them you need! Here are a few pictures of some amazing projects that you can build:
I introduced Anna to CitiBlocs one morning when we were all just waking up. What I didn’t expect was when I realized twenty minutes later that Adam, Anna and I were all sitting around the coffee table mindlessly building stuff as we were watching the morning news! This is definitely a toy that makes playing with your kid way more fun for the adults. Most kids toys are mind-numbingly stupid for adults and I know lots of moms who wish that the toys their kids most enjoyed playing with were fun for the grown-ups, too. CitiBlocs not only is fun for adults, but it also gives you a great way to introduce concepts such as gravity and balance in a creative and fun way.
At my weekly playgroup, I didn’t say a word about them, simply placed the open box of CitiBlocs on the table. Within ten minutes, all four toddlers and a couple of the moms were chatting away, happily building little projects. Experiences like this one with this product just reinforce my opinion that this is a toy for all ages, all skill levels and all imaginations. Whether your three year old is building little towers just for the sheer joy of knocking them down, your ten year old is building a replica of the Space Needle for school or your grandchildren are working on building their very own city - CitiBlocs is truly a toy for everyone!
