Review: Hape Maple Wood Blocks & Little Plane

Recently our play chest has been in need of a little overhaul. We’re finally at the point, now the toddler is, well, a toddler, that we can play with toys. You know I love wooden toys. I’ve gone on about it enough in the past and this is no exception because today I’m introducing you to one of the World’s largest wooden toy producers. I’m talking about Hape.

Hape design their toys to help enhance your child’s developmental skills whether that’s social, emotional, sensory or physical. Play is an important part of development… something Hape, the boy and I all agree on. And luckily, as part of our toy update, Hape kindly sent us a set of their classic Maple Wood Blocks and, in a nod to our upcoming holiday, a Little Plane. Yay!

Hape Maple Wood Blocks

A classic toy for any age, wooden blocks are quite literally the building blocks for development. Whilst I had visions of us building a lovely city with this set, my son found the most fun in destroying it. Often faster than I could build. Thankfully, the Hape set contains 50 blocks so there was plenty to share between us, although he didn’t seem to understand that! With bright colours, they attracted him in and it quickly turned into a game of me chasing him (and the blocks) around the lounge. What started as frustration turned in to a lovely opportunity for us to play together. Yes, it wasn’t quite how I’d envisioned the block play but he had a whale of a time playing with them.

The Maple Wood Blocks come with a handy canvas storage bag which actually formed his favourite game; tidying up. I’m not sure how two of the messiest parents in the world managed to raise a son that likes packing things away but we did! Each time he put a shape in, I’d name the shape and the colour and then send him off to find another. The bag caters to my need to have his toys in one place and means we can keep them safe for years to come. Hopefully by then he’ll let me build a tower or two!

Hape Maple Wood Block Set is available from Amazon for £14.81

Hape Little Plane

We’ve got a huge number of cars, trucks and tractors in our house so it’s no surprise he calls everything ‘car’, even when pointing at a plane in the sky. With holidays approaching I’ve been talking more to him about us going on a plane (‘car’) so the Hape Little Plane is a welcome addition to our household.

It’s beautifully crafted with wings that move slightly and a lovely chunky design that’s perfect for little hands. The light blue coating has resisted lots of bangs and crashes so far without a dent and it wipes clean easily. It’s nice to have something a little different for him to play with, as well as allowing me to talk planes to him even more. Yes, he says ‘brum’ as he pushes it along but we’re getting there… After all, what noise does a plane make?!

Hape Little Plane is available from Amazon for £7.83