Wooden blocks can be made from a variety of wood types. Each species of wood will lend different characteristics to your block set. Here is the list from softest to hardest wood types.

Differences in the types of woods used for wooden block sets

Pine

This is by far the softest wood used for blocks. Not often found in commercially made blocks, pine is prone to dings, scratches, dents and edge splintering. Pine blocks are not likely to stand up to generations of use or heavy use. Though pine blocks are lightweight as far as wooden blocks go, they have enough weight to them so that buildings and towers constructed with pine building blocks will stand up reasonably well.

Rubberwood

Rubberwood building blocks are fairly new to the market. Rubberwood is an interesting hardwood because it has been grown for hundreds of years in plantations for the harvesting of it’s sap. The sap is used to make latex products. When the tree is at the end of it’s life cycle, which is about 25-30 years, the wood is often used to make furniture and toys. Talking about eco-freindly!

Rubberwood is a hard wood, so it will resist dings and scratches significantly better than pine. The wood sometimes feels like it has been impregnated with latex if the wood had a high sap content when it was cut down. However, rubberwood blocks do not always have that feel to them. As far as blocks go, these are also on the “lightweight” side of the scale, but still have enough weight so structures that your kids create with them will be stable.

Wooden blocks made from rubberwood are a great inexpensive alternative that will stand up to reasonably heavy use. Unit blocks made of rubberwood are great for home use. Table top blocks made of rubberwood will do well for either home or classroom use.

Beach

Beach building blocks are an old standby. Unit blocks have been made from beach for many, many years. Unfortunately, sets made from beach are becoming harder and harder to find. Beech is a fairly dense hardwood, so it resists dents and dings very well. This quality also makes these blocks have a slighly greater weight, lending more stability to structures. If you can find sets made with beach, it is a great choice for a balance between durability and price.

Maple

Maple building blocks are considered the premium blocks on the market. These blocks will stand up to decades of heavy classroom use or many generations of home use. Maple is the densest wood that building blocks are made of, so they will resist dents and dings the best, will be the heaviest, and will sand to a smoother finish than all the rest of the wood types. When placed side by side with the other wood choices, you can really feel the difference.

This article is sponsored by
Heritage Toys:  Offering wooden toys, children’s  furniture, wooden unit blocks, play kitchens and more . . .

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