Fun Rise Stack, Learn 'N Play Blocks Review

     Precursor:  I would like to start by saying that this toy was given to my 14 month old son as a Christmas present.  My husband and I did not purchase this nor did we know anything about it prior to my son opening the wrapped toy.

     The specs:  The Stack, Learn 'N Play Blocks by Fun Rise is for children ages one and older.  It has ten colorful blocks.  Nine are made of cardboard and are open on one side so that the blocks can be stacked on top of each other or they can nest inside one another for storage.  (The tenth is plastic with a smiley face center that rolls around inside the cube.)  The outside of each block is wrapped in paper that is decorated with numbers, letters, animals, and other pictures.

     The review:  When my husband and I were helping our son open this present, we were somewhat pleased to see that this was a stacking toy because our son enjoys knocking over toys that we have stacked for him.  Looking at the box in which the toy was packaged, we liked that it had letters, numbers, and other brightly colored pictures on the blocks.  As we opened the package and pulled out the toy, however, we were somewhat disappointed to find that the toy was made completely of cardboard except for the smallest block which is the only one made of plastic.  We looked at each other with the same thought, "This toy is not going to last."  Our son can walk, but when he is tired or when there are several toys on the floor, he tends to fall a lot.  We both fear that one thump of our son's sweet little behind will completely destroy a single block.  And during his first day of play with the toy, our son put one hand on the largest block and attempted to use it to help him stand up.  That action nearly caved in the block.  Furthermore, our son tends to chew on the blocks.  (I do my best to keep him from doing this, but he is at the age where everything goes into his mouth.)  I do not want my son to get a mouth full of cardboard!  (That in itself is hazard enough for me to say this is not a good toy for a one year old.)

     Then we carefully looked at the box in which the toy came.  We saw that indeed the toy manufacturer recommends the toy for children in my son's age range.  We continued to look to see if the box stated anywhere that the toy was made of cardboard, but we could not find evidence of it anywhere.  (It is possible that we just missed it, after all, we are human.)  Later, we called the person who gave our son the toy to see if she knew that it was cardboard.  She said that she did know and that it was made of cardboard to protect children who might fall on the toy from injuring themselves.  (Of course this does not protect children from swallowing pieces of paper and cardboard that they can chew off of the blocks as their saliva weakens the paper and disolves the cardboard.)  I looked at my husband and blinked in disbelief.  Of course I want my child to be safe.  Absolutely!  But my son has other toys that are made of plastic and seem to be safe.  Furthermore, I saw online that there are other manufacturers who have made similar toys out of wood.  Although I would not want my son chewing on those because they are made of wood, I would only fear that my son would dent the toy or scrape off some paint and not that he would get a mouthful of cardboard that he might swallow before I could pull it all out of his mouth.  (I do my best to keep him from chewing on it, but as I have stated, that is a constant battle.)

     I asked my husband if he wanted to let the boy play with the toy or if we should use the blocks as containers for our son's various toiletries (cotton swabs, ointments, etc.).  He said we should just let the boy play with the toy until he destroys it and then throw each piece away as it falls apart.  Neither I nor my husband would have wasted our money buying a toy like this that would only last a little while.  (In fact, my husband and I are waiting to see whose projection will be correct.  I think it will only last a week.  He thinks it might actually last a month.)

     Overview:  I feel that this stacking toy, although educational and aesthetically pleasing, will not last very long because most of the blocks are made of non-durable cardboard.  We fear that the blocks will quickly be destroyed by our 14 month old as he either falls on them or chews holes in them.  I would not recommend this toy to anyone unless you want something to take on a trip that you do not care if it gets lost or destroyed.

     UPDATE #1:  My son has been playing with this toy for a month now.  He loves it and plays with it every day.  I must say that I am surprised it has lasted this long.  It is not in pristine condition anymore as several of the blocks are dented and the paper is pealing and wearing off, but I must say that it has lasted longer than I ever expected.  I just have to keep him from pulling at the curling paper.  If it lasts a few more months, I might be willing to increase the rating to two stars.

     UPDATE #2:  As of today (two months and 4 days after receiving the toy), we had to throw the #2 box away.  Unfortunately, we couldn't keep him from chewing on it, and he chewed through it.  Also, the paper has worn off several corners of the other boxes and is pulling off on one side of the #10 box.  Nonetheless, my son still really loves this toy.