Lego Duplo 5416: Duplo Brick Box

Lego is a great traditional toy that has been popular which young children for generations. Lego Duplo is part of the Lego range that is designed for young builders from 12 months to 6 years as the pieces are bigger than the original Lego bricks. Each brick is twice the size in length, height, and width to the traditional Lego bricks, making them ideal for little hands to manipulate. They are also compatible with traditional Lego bricks.

Duplo is a popular construction toy as it has endless possibilities; toddlers can let their imagination run free as they can build an entire world all out of Duplo.

I remember how much fun my daughter had with her Lego and Duplo sets when she was little, so as soon as my son reached 12 months of age I wasted no time in looking at the different Duplo sets that were available. After having a look at the age appropriate sets I decided to order the bucket of bricks, as I liked the fact that they came in a plastic box with a lid. I thought this would be an ideal first set.

~What’s in the box?~

The Duplo arrived in its large green lidded box (20.8x19.2x20.3), which comprised of two bags of assorted bricks. The box contains 33 pieces in total; there is a good assortment of different coloured bricks from, red, blue, green, yellow, and orange, a couple of the bricks have eyes on them which can be used to make animals. The set also includes a cat, a window, and a couple of flowers. This is a great basic starter set to introduce a little one to the world of Lego.

~Learning through play~

Children learn so much through play and Duplo helps develop creativity and imagination, manipulating the bricks improves fine motor skills. Duplo allows children to use their imagination to create and build whatever they want; they can take it to pieces and start all over again, creating new and different models each and every time which makes Duplo a fun toy as its possibilities are endless.

This is a great toy that a child can play with independently and it is also a toy that can teach children how to share and play together, which will promote early social skills. Children love to build towers, this teaches them how to stack and reach up as they build higher and higher, it is even more fun to knock it down and start all over again. Building and stacking develops motor skills and hand-eye coordination. A toddler is also learning shape and colour recognition, the bricks can also be used to arrange and sort into groups of colour or size. The bricks can also be used for counting and basic math and a little one will learn problem-solving. Creative play stimulates a child's imagination and creative skills which builds an active mind. Patience is also learnt as a child learns to lock the bricks together, this can be difficult at first and this will teach your child determination, once your child has interlocked the bricks for the first time this will give them a great confidence and self-esteem boost.

~Let’s Play!~

The box was secured with two plastic straps which require cutting, opening the lid I was met with two plastic bags which I excitedly ripped open and tipped the contents into the box. I love the assortment of the vivid bright colours. Shuffling the box caught my sons attention as I placed the box on the floor he was instantly intrigued as he placed his hand in and pulled out the bricks one by one examining them, he was more than happy to sit there taking the bricks out and then filling the box back up again and starting again, this kept him busy for quite some time. I sat next to him and watched him explore his box of new found treasures; once he had examined each and every brick thoroughly I demonstrated how to lock the bricks together. This sparked my son’s curiosity as I took them apart and handed them to him, he attempted putting the bricks together however this takes some skill to master. After showing him several times he continued practising over the next few days, this really helped to build his concentration as he tried to align the bricks, it took him a little bit more effort, practice and assistance and once he found that he needed to apply pressure to get the bricks to lock together he carried on practising until he finally locked two pieces together – hurrah! This was met with high praise and my son looked delighted with himself that he had accomplished a new skill; he was feeling very proud of himself. This was a new skill that he perfected and performed several times over a couple of weeks, once he had mastered this he then went onto build towers, this is a great game as each time the tower gets bigger and bigger and he will scamper about the floor looking for more bricks to build higher to then knock it down and start again. This is a game that is great fun and it never becomes boring, my son still enjoys building high towers two years on!

~Other favourite games~

Not only does my son enjoy building all different kinds of models and taking them to pieces to start all over again, he also uses the bricks in different ways. He can be found lining them up in order of colour and arranging them into groups of colour. He also loves to fill the box up and tip them out and he finds it quite amusing to tip the bricks out over his head to be washed in a shower of colourful Duplo. Rustling the bricks about to hear them rattling together is also great fun as he manically shuffles them around on the floor just for the fun of it. The bricks can also be used in conjunction with the Lego car chassis that we have, he will sit for hours building different shape cars to then push them around on the floor, this has become his favourite game at the moment as he will build a car several times a day and take it to pieces to make a new one.

The fun doesn’t stop here, as the box is just as entertaining for my inquisitive little toddler who will play with the box just as much as he does the actual bricks! He will lie over the box on his stomach whilst building; I’m not sure how this is comfortable mind you. He has since learnt to stand in the box, which was rather amusing watching him try and work out how to get both feet in the box, once he had mastered this he also managed to squeeze himself into the box to sit in it, feet in and out and he will happily sit there grinning whilst he is in his own little play world. This has created a new game as he enjoys being pulled about on the ‘sea in his boat’ this elicits lots of giggles every time, and ‘more’ ‘more’ which is a great way to tire out Mom. The box can also be used as a hat and a seat if it is turned over, who would have thought that a box could be so versatile and be so much fun.

The box is sturdy and the lid snaps on securely, the box also features a wide lip which makes it easy to transport.

The flower is also used as a spinning top, and it is great fun to spin and watch my sons face as he is amazed, as he asks me to spin it again and again.

The box is also great as the bricks can neatly be stored away and my son has learnt how to tidy his own bricks as he will now help fill the box up at the end of play. We also count the bricks as we are putting them in.

Duplo is great fun, it has so many different uses and my son is always learning new skills and it allows him to develop at his own pace.

This is a toy that never loses its appeal as my son will go back to this time and time again and it is his most played with toy, as he will be found building all different things throughout the day.

My son has actually been very busy building while I have been writing this review.

~Cleaning and durability~

Duplo is safe, durable and robust; it can withstand boisterous toddler play and my little boy has tested it out to the full as he has dropped them, thrown them, kicked them, trampled and dribbled on the bricks. This set has been played with countless times over the last two years and all of the pieces are in great condition, they will last my son several more years and they will be good enough to be passed on to another child.

Children of all ages love to play with Duplo and even when a child is old enough for traditional Lego bricks these bricks can be used in conjunction with them.

Keeping the bricks clean and in sparkling condition is child’s play, as they can be submersed in warm soapy water in the box, toddlers will be more than happy to assist you in washing the bricks and no help is required. I also place them into a net bag from time to time and put them through the washing machine, and this causes them no harm, they come out looking new and they are ready to be played with again.

~Recommended! ~

My little boy is enthralled with this set and it has given him so much fun and he has learnt many new skills all from playing with his Duplo. I have since gone on to buy more sets to add to the collection, so my son can build his empire.

Recommended age: 1.5 -5 years

This set retails at £12.99 which represents excellent value for money!

Lego website: http://duplo.lego.com/en-GB/Default.aspx

Summary: Building with Duplo builds a child’s imagination and creativity