We already have a pack of elc blocks that my son received when he was younger but last year we came across the alphabet blocks and decided that they were lovely and would be a perfect present for my youngest sons Christmas.

== What are they? ==

For my £10 I received 24 brightly coloured blocks all blocks are made in lovely bright colours blue. Yellow red and green and stand out straight away to grab little ones attention. They come in a small box which is very handy for storing them in as it means they do not get lost and can be kept together without making a mess.


These blocks are building blocks essentially but with a twist. On each side of each brick is a letter, number or sum sign printed in black letters. There are no pattern o how they are printed although letters that are used more tend to re appear more than letters that are more unusual for example a, e I repeat over and over again while z , x and y are printed less so when spelling words you are able to write most things with no trouble.


Also one of my favourite things about these blocks are also printed on these blocks are sum signs for example + and - so the numbers and these sum signs can be used to set up puzzles for older children and it makes it a fun way of learning simple adding and subtraction.


They are a nice size too small enough for little hands to use but not to small so it is hard for small children to build towers. They are made from wood which is lovely as they soon stand out in a sea of plastic. They are well made no chance or harming little ones and extremely durable with rough play they receive at the same time.


== How can they be used? =


My youngest son loves to build blocks with them and simply has fun. Also I like to sit with my youngest son and sort the blocks into colours so I can have some fun too. My daughter who has just turned 3 uses them for the number and letters they help her be introduced to learning through fun and play. She likes to put the numbers in order and also sits with me and my son and sorts the letters into order while repeating the sounds each letter makes. My eldest son is 4 now and although he is already a strong counter he can use them to build sums and to sit and spell out words. The blocks can be used for them to play alone or by playing together and have become a firm favourite in our house. There really is a different way to use the blocks for each stage in a small child's development and not forgetting just having fun and using them as building blocks.


== How well do they last? ==

We have had these bricks for over a year now and although some have a few teeth marks in from where my son likes to try and use them as a teether they are still just as good as new. The colours and the printed numbers and letters are still as bright as they first were when we brought them.

They have been knocked over time and time again, used as a teether run over by toy trains and squashed by dinosaurs the uses for them with my children's imagination never seems to end and yet they are still as practical and perfect as the first day we got them.

Despite my children using them nearly every day and 3 toddlers all have their time playing with them they have not lost interest and there seems to be something very special about them that always keep my children coming back to them. They grow with the child and so can be used for an extended age range which you cannot say for a lot of toys now.

== Summary ==

These blocks are recommended from 12 months plus but I believe they have such an appeal to younger children and older children alike as they can be used in many different ways. These blocks retail at £10 which I think is a brilliant price for what you get lovely well made blocks with both letters and numbers included on them which means there are so many more things your child can do rather than just build towers and they have been a big hit with all three of my children I would recommend to anyone.