These high-quality, primary-colored wooden blocks were a real hit at my house, especially with the younger crew. My 3- to 8-year-old children were enthralled with threading the string through the blocks and then making something in 3D.

At first, they made huge necklaces that were too heavy for their necks, but soon they graduated to specific designs provided in the little booklet. Some of the designs were somewhat complicated, but if the children threaded the blocks in the right order, I could help them assemble the right object. The objects ranged from a simple house to a car, train, and boat.

The little ones especially benefited from the manual dexterity and focus the activity required, and they also gained practice with patterns as they followed the threading order.

The set came with 43 blocks, two sturdy strings, and a board book containing a picture of each design. The set is made in Germany and is packaged in a reusable fabric tote bag.

This set definitely fits into the category of educational games and toys that teach children something while they play.

Product review by Deborah Wuehler, Devotional Editor, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, LLC, October 2006