The best building blocks are made of strong durable plastic. Milk crates can be used to create a child’s fantasy play land if you can locate enough of them. They can be purchased from farmers perhaps or you can find them at flea markets. Having nearly 100 of them can spark the imagination even in us adults.

A Word of Warning!!! 

Do not pick them up at your local grocery store unless you have the manager’s permission and the permission of the owner’s of the crates (Don’t learn the hard way as it will be considered theft). Please remember too that these are not sturdy for walking on the ground more than two crates tall (maximum weight at about 100 lbs, but an adult should test them) and you should have a good soft surface because accidents will happen (we have used sand). This needs to be a supervised activity and younger children should be monitored at all times. Another few rules are:

• Always use caution.

• Do not allow any running at any time.

• Crates should be placed on a flat safe surface.

• Do not place crates in unsafe positions. They are heavy.

• Do not place heavy items on top of crates. Cardboard, tarps, and sheets can be used.

These are milk crates remember and are not actual toys, so reader beware!

Our Great Ideas of Use: 

·        Road. Place one block after another only one block tall and have your child follow the path.

·        Stepping Stones. Place them apart slightly for stepping stones.

·        Book Cases and Shelves.

·        Storage Containers for outside/inside toys.

·        Castle. (You can tie the blocks together to create over-the-door crates and over-the-window crates).

·        Small or Large Forte’s.

·        Tunnels (although can be hard on the knees).

·        Block Elevator shoes (you can tie them to your shoes).

·        Basket Ball Hoops.

·        Toss some homemade beanbags for a catch all.

·        Great for moving and packing those breakables and special children’s gifts that need special packing.

We hope this idea sparks the imagination in each and every one of you. Perhaps this might also spur the imagination of those famous Big plastic toy Companies to create some giant, lightweight but sturdy, stacking crates from Little Tikes, Step 2, or Fisher Price. I certainly would like to see something affordable that my kids could create countless playground set-ups or castles with their imagination.