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Block Play

Support hands-on STEM learning with block play materials that help children build, stack, design, problem-solve, and collaborate. Kaplan’s selection includes wooden blocks, unit blocks, soft blocks, plastic blocks, oversized building sets, vehicles, people and animal figures, storage, and tables that encourage spatial reasoning, fine motor skills, creativity, storytelling, and meaningful construction play in early learning classrooms.

Friends with Special Needs - Set of 5
Item: 63572
Status: In Stock
$38.95
18 months & up. This set of five friends represents various abilities, ethnicities, and genders illustrating that everyone is unique and special in their own way. These friends make the perfect addition to any dollhouse and are able to teach so many about different types of people. Figures measure 5" tall. Blocks not included. BPA free.
Friends Around the World - 20 Pieces
Item: 300572
Status: In Stock
$39.95
2 years & up. Promote dramatic play, storytelling, and exploration during block play using this beautiful set of wooden figures. The 20-piece Friends Around the World set features a culturally diverse array of children dressed in traditional attire. Combine this double-sided set of colorful, detailed blocks with lessons about diversity, inclusion, and the way people live around the world. Each chunky wooden block is sized to be used in conjunction with traditional unit blocks, enhancing block play in a unique way.
Around the World Dolls - 8 Pieces
Item: 63440
Status: In Stock
$45.95
18 months & up. Children can engage in a historic cultural journey while playing with the eight Around the World Dolls. These 5" figures represent four males and four females dressed in traditional clothing from seven various cultures distinctly represented in this set of dolls. These dolls are great for storytelling and will help children introduce diversity to pretend play by exploring a different culture. 8 pieces.
Community Workers 3" Tall - 8 Pieces
Item: 30824
Status: In Stock
$25.95
18 months & up. From a firefighter to a caring doctor, this set of eight community workers represents many of the occupations children see throughout their community. These figures are easy to grip and perfect for an interactive lesson about careers. Children will delight as they identify familiar faces from their community, some they may know personally. These Community Workers are the perfect way to have a conversation about children's future occupations all while promoting fine motor skills and dramatic play! The soft plastic figures measure 3"H. 8 pieces.
Family Sets - 4 Pieces Each
Item: 63502P
Status: In Stock
$33.95 - $126.95
18 months & up. These chunky figures were designed for small hands and allow for easy gripping during play. This charming family set will have young children engaged in meaningful dramatic play either independently or with friends. Each family includes an adult male and female and a male and female child. Father measures 5.75"H and child 4"H. Each set has 4 pieces.
See Options for Family Sets - 4 Pieces Each
Bark Block Alphabet Letters - 36 Pieces
Item: 301409
Status: In Stock
$44.95
18 months & up. Invite children to identify letters, make simple words, and explore letter shapes through hands-on block play. This 36-piece faux-bark set includes the 26 letters of the alphabet plus 10 additional letters commonly used in words. Made from Poly+, a composite material made with 30% less plastic, the blocks are designed for years of indoor and outdoor play. They can be used with sand, water, mud, dirt, and other messy materials, then cleaned easily. Each letter measures approximately 2"L x 2"W x .5"H. Bring the letters to a literacy area or pair them with natural elements outside to offer varied ways to notice shapes, build words, and practice fine motor handling.
Polar Animals - 6 Pieces
Item: 32271
Status: In Stock
$30.95
18 months & up. The arctic animals in this set are detailed in texture, traits, and size. Children will enjoy learning about each of the animals through engaging, hands-on learning experiences. Each set comes with six animals and an activity guide. The animals range in size from approximately 2" to 3" in height, 3" to 6" in length and 1" to 3" in diamater. Animals are made of non-phthalates PVC.
Discovery People - Natural - 16 Pieces
Item: 37901
Status: In Stock
$39.95
$29.95
2 years & up. Bring life to any block play community with the vibrant Discovery People - Natural. With a natural gradated color scheme, these simplified people shapes will enhance dramatic play opportunities during traditional block play and seamlessly complement the rest of the Discovery collection during light and sensory exploration. Each set includes 16 solid figures: 8 tall figures and 8 short figures in assorted colors. Taller figures measure 1.3"W x 2.8"H.
Wood Stackers River Stones - 20-Piece Wooden Balancing Set
Item: 32426
Status: In Stock
$49.95
2 years & up. Invite children to explore nature-inspired construction with the Wood Stackers River Stones. This set includes 20 smooth wooden pieces modeled after the organic shapes of polished river stones. The varied sizes encourage children to investigate weight, dimension, balance, and stability as they stack, arrange, and combine the pieces in creative ways. Inspiration cards provide building ideas, while open-ended play supports original designs.This set strengthens fine motor control, hand-eye coordination, spatial reasoning, persistence, and early problem-solving. A convenient storage box is included. Wipe clean, do not use bleach. Set of 20. Smallest stone measures 1.75"L x 1.5"W x 0.75"H. Largest stone measures 5"L x 2.5"W x 1"H. 
Discovery People - Rainbow - 16 Pieces
Item: 37902
Status: In Stock
$39.95
$29.95
2 years & up. Bring life to any block play community with the vibrant Discovery People - Rainbow. With bright rainbow hues, these simplified people shapes will enhance dramatic play opportunities during traditional block play and seamlessly complement the rest of the Discovery collection during light and sensory exploration. Each set includes 16 solid figures: 8 tall figures and 8 short figures in assorted colors. Taller figures measure 1.3"W x 2.8"H.
Jungle Animals - 8 Pieces
Item: 32270
Status: In Stock
$35.95
18 months & up. Bring the wonders of the rainforest into your learning environment with the Jungle Animals set. This collection of eight detailed animal figures encourages imaginative play while introducing children to wildlife, habitats, and animal characteristics. Ideal for dramatic play, STEM investigations, vocabulary development, and small-world exploration, the durable figures promote storytelling, classification, and early science discovery. Sized for little hands, the set helps fine motor skills while supporting open-ended, hands-on learning in classrooms, childcare centers, and home environments. Includes an activity guide and 8 jungle animal figures: crocodile, elephant, giraffe, gorilla, hippopotamus, lion, tiger, and zebra.
Wood Stackers Standing Stones - 20-Piece Wooden Balancing Set
Item: 32427
Status: In Stock
$49.95
2 years & up. Encourage thoughtful construction and early STEM exploration with the Wood Stackers Standing Stones. This set of 20 smooth wooden pieces features varied geometric forms that inspire children to build towers, sculptures, and structures resembling ancient landmarks. As children test different arrangements, they explore weight, dimension, balance, stability, and spatial relationships through hands-on discovery. Inspiration cards offer building ideas while leaving room for creativity and experimentation. This open-ended set develops fine motor skills, concentration, planning, persistence, and problem-solving. A storage box is included for convenient organization. Wipe clean, do not bleach. Set of 20.
Mini Wooden Vehicles 10-Piece Community Transportation Set
Item: 33940
Status: In Stock
$49.95
2 years & up. Create active roadways and busy communities with the Mini Wooden Vehicles set. This collection includes 10 handheld birch plywood vehicles: a cement mixer, fire truck, police car, taxi, school bus, dump truck, ambulance, forklift, front loader, and farm truck. Natural-toned heat-transfer designs coordinate with traditional unit blocks and other wooden play materials. Children can share the vehicles, develop block-built environments, and explore transportation and community roles while strengthening cooperation, communication, spatial reasoning, and imaginative storytelling. These vehicles measure approximately 4"L x 1.38"W x 2.5"H.