I wonder if these are as good as the Cuboro or not. I'm guessing there are big quality differences.

I'm in awe of the video you shared of the set up.

These are beautiful

I also played wooden blocks for hours as a kid but I've tried getting them for my kids and they're not interested. And I suspect it's because the product is worse than the set we had from the 80s.

I'm the author, and my husband immediately had the same feedback: iPad should be at the top of the list. I responded that iPad wasn't a toy, and he strongly disagreed.

I agree. I'm not sure about "toy", but something that gives the child zero agency definitely falls hort of the definition of "play".

Aren’t there genetic games on the iPad?

From research on a comment in another area, the European Union at least says "no" on the toy claim. Things in the EU "not considered as toys". [Directive 2009/48/EC, Annex 1] 14. "Electronic equipment, such as personal computers and game consoles, used to access interactive software"

[Directive 2009/48/EC, Annex 1] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32...

Only exception is stuff that's kind of a "specially designed personal computer" meant to "have a play value on their own".

Weirdly, even specially designed console like a Switch, Playstation, or XBox are not really legally a "toy" in the EU.

Imo, there would be no value in writing something where an iPad would satisfy the requirements, and I appreciated the list, and we're thinking about the large magnatile things now.

Do you have an easel whiteboard paper roll thing? I think it fits this list.

I tried the easel and whiteboard paper roll when my kids were younger and it was not a great experience. But I think those things change with time. Cool to hear it fits the list for you.

Author here, I don't think I did affiliate market links.

Cardboard box is a good one.

Thank you for writing about parenting. Today was a tough day with the kids, and reading your blog after they’ve gone to sleep helped things feel a little better.

Yeah, my husband told me after I published that I missed the iPad as as the clear #1.

Yeah but I'm glad you don't consider the ipad a toy. It's not a toy, i predict that we're going to look back at this time of 'ipad + headphone kids' and roll our eyes as much as we roll our eyes at bloodletting.

Screen devices can be a toy but it takes very intentional use of them.

My child has had an old iPhone se since 4yo. It has no network connection. I load music on it. It only has music, camera, and voice recorder apps. Like most toys it gets intense periods of play and then goes back in the toy box with a dead battery for weeks.

It's my assertion that the problem with tablets/phones as toys for kids is the endless stream of new content. It's addictive and never gets old. If you find a way to cut off the firehouse of new (and keep the addictive apps off) then they eventually become just another boring toy. Us adults could learn from this too.