* The set being reviewed differs slightly from that shown, being set 8309*

The Mega Bloks that we own arrived on Baby CrazyEgg's first birthday, which as some of you will know, was the day she turned 9 months. Packaged in a thick, plastic, zip-up bag with a handle, the 70-piece set contained a variety of mega bloks of various colours (light and dark blue, yellow, red and green) and sizes: single; double; triple and quadruple bloks, (these latter being either four blocks in a row or two-by-two). There is also variation in the height of the blok bases which allows for different construction effects. Finally, some of the green bloks are two-by-two but instead of having four...sticky up bits on top, they have two, the others being replaced with a curved edge. In short, this set contains a fantastic selection of mega bloks for the budding builder, and is suitable the manufacturers claim for 1-5 year olds.

"Ah! I bet Baby CrazyEgg set to straight away, building things didn't she, CrazyEgg?" Um, well, no, no that didn't happen. But herein lies the brilliance of the Mega Blok: in the four months that we have owned these bloks, Baby CrazyEgg has not built one thing. Nothing. Not even a small, two blok tower, although to be fair she is getting closer on that one. And YET! They have still been one of the most useful and used toys that Baby CrazyEgg has.

Our first act with the bloks was to remove the bag they came in. Although in many ways practical, and certainly attractive, as it says on the underside: "This bag is not a toy. Plastic bag (sic) can be dangerous. To avoid danger of suffocation, please keep this bag away from babies and children." We didn't need to be told this and decanted the mega bloks immediately into a big box, where they could be shaken to make the most intriguing sound. A sound worth turning toward! The box could be turned on its side so that the bloks tipped and slid, clattered and clanked like a rock fall. This, it turned out was something worth rolling for, albeit only from front to back, and the bloks most certainly worth reaching for.

Whilst this rolling and reaching was in progress, I, CrazyEgg was able to construct a castle frontage, an impenetrable tower, and other architectural jewels whilst all the time offering encouragement: "Good reaching!" and information to Baby CrazyEgg: "If you place the next blok over the join your structure will be stronger." And so on.

Failing to fully take on board such useful advice did not prevent Baby CrazyEgg from taking an interest in my creations. Some time later when Baby was able to sit unaided she helped me clear away my creations. I dismantled them piece by piece, and she spontaneously began picking up the pieces and putting them back in the box. "Good grip and release! Good aim! Thank you Baby CrazyEgg!" The size and lightness of the pieces made them ideal for her and she seemed to really enjoy this, so I found a small basket and put some of the bloks in there. She has passed a lot of time emptying these from the basket, inspecting, chewing and offering them (if you are lucky. Never a whirly green one though, those are hers). And then putting them back.

The next phase was actually pulling the bloks apart, cue great excitement from the Occupational Therapist. This was often followed by them being bashed together- even more excitement from the OT. I'm afraid I am harder to please, but the pulling apart has been useful as Baby CrazyEgg can now help to dismantle as well as clear away my creations. I have read reviews where people have said the bloks come apart too easily, but we really have not found that to be the case. However, our interest has obviously been in having a product that Baby can succeed in taking apart, so perhaps our criteria are different. Generally the bloks fit together snugly and securely, but will part company with relative ease.

Now that Baby CrazyEgg is officially old enough for the bloks she has started to show an interest in fitting them together, and as this has not yet been mastered I can safely say that this is a toy that has plenty more mileage in it. Although she was technically 9 months when she received these bloks there was no danger of her swallowing them as they are all sufficiently big and chunky.

I removed the bag when we received them, I did not throw it away. Handy, since it enables me to tell you that the bloks come with a lifetime guarantee, and a cunning slogan, 'Building minds at play'. Moreover, the bag tells you that the bloks are useful to develop fine motor skills; creativity and imagination; focus and attention. Mega!

This is a truly great product.

CrazyEgg 2012