Plus-Plus Blocks Review: The One-Shape STEM Toy

If you have a child who thrives on creative building, chances are you’ve already heard of Plus-Plus blocks. My own six-year-old, Miss P, certainly can’t get enough of them! While she was first introduced to them in a classroom setting, these unique, Danish-designed construction pieces have quickly become one of the most versatile and beloved toys in our household.

But what exactly makes Plus-Plus blocks stand out in a crowded market of construction toys? And are they truly worth the investment? We recently put a large themed set to the test, and here is our detailed, parent-to-parent review.

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What Makes Plus-Plus Blocks So Unique?

At first glance, Plus-Plus blocks look like tiny plastic puzzle pieces, but their simplicity is their genius. Every single piece is the exact same shape—a double plus sign. This singular design allows for truly open-ended play and incredible structural possibilities.

Unlike traditional building bricks that often limit connectivity to rigid angles, the structure of Plus-Plus allows children to create smooth curves, unique textures, and intricate designs that seamlessly transition between two and three dimensions.

Plus-Plus is the perfect educational STEM toy that stimulates fine motor skills, creativity, and focus.

The Versatility Factor

Plus-Plus blocks don’t just spark imagination; they are also powerful tools for development.

• Fine Motor Skills: Connecting the blocks requires precision and just a tiny bit of force, which is excellent for strengthening little hands and developing dexterity.
• STEM Learning: Kids naturally explore geometry, balance, and engineering principles as they plan and execute their designs.
• 2D to 3D Mastery: The blocks allow children to easily start with flat mosaic designs (2D) and then expand those designs into complex, freestanding 3D structures.

Whether your child is drawn to building dragons, robots, princesses, or even elaborate pirate ships, there’s a Plus-Plus kit to match their interest. These sets range from small 70-piece tubes perfect for stocking stuffers, up to massive educational sets containing 6,000 pieces designed for daycare centers or classrooms.

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Our Big Build Test: The Plus-Plus Unicorn Set

To really dive into the world of Plus-Plus, we picked up the Plus-Plus Big Unicorn Set. This kit contained everything needed to build a magnificent, detailed unicorn, complete with step-by-step instructions.

Miss P is usually skilled at following block instructions, but this set proved to be a real challenge for our entire family.

The Difficulty of the Instructions

While the concept of the instructions is solid, the visual clarity quickly became a sticking point. After the first few pages, we were lost.

• Miss P gave up after several frustrated attempts.
• My adult daughter tried and was stumped by page three.
• Even my detail-oriented aunt couldn’t figure out the next step.

The only person in our household who successfully assembled the unicorn following the provided instructions was my husband. This suggests that while the product is phenomenal, the complexity of the directions in these larger themed sets might be geared toward older children or require significant adult involvement.

Connecting the Pieces

One physical observation we made is that Plus-Plus blocks connect with a satisfying firmness. You need to use a small amount of force to click them together, and when you take them apart, there is a tiny bit of resistance. I actually appreciate this—it ensures that creations don’t easily fall apart when moved or played with.

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The True Magic: Open-Ended Play

Despite the initial struggle with the instruction manual, the Plus-Plus blocks were a huge hit. Why? Because Miss P quickly realized she didn’t need the instructions to have fun.

Instead of trying to follow the sequence, she simply looked at the photograph of the completed unicorn and started free-building. It was truly impressive to watch my six-year-old visually deconstruct the image and recreate the structure—she even managed to successfully assemble a detailed candy cane using only a reference picture!

This experience profoundly cemented my belief that the real value of these blocks lies in open-ended play. Miss P is happier, and her creativity is soaring, when she’s making her own creations rather than following a dictated plan.

Moving forward, when I purchase more sets, I think I will skip the elaborate, large themed kits and opt for the smaller tube sets or bulk basic color boxes. These options provide the most flexibility for spontaneous creation.

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Your Perfect Travel Companion

Beyond the creative benefits at home, I’ve found Plus-Plus blocks to be an ideal travel toy for kids, particularly during the upcoming holiday season.

These durable, small pieces are easily tossed into a simple zip-lock bag and thrown into a purse or backpack. They are perfect for:

• Keeping kids occupied during long car or plane rides.
• Providing quiet, focused activity in a restaurant without resorting to screen time.
• Quickly pulling out a creative outlet at a relative’s house.

They offer hours of distraction-free fun, making them a must-have item for keeping little hands and minds busy on the go.

Final Verdict: Highly Recommended

Overall, Plus-Plus blocks are a truly wonderful, versatile toy. They deliver fantastic educational value as a STEM toy while providing the robust platform necessary for imaginative and open-ended play.

The ease with which they stimulate creativity and develop fine motor skills makes them a winner in my book. While the instructions on the elaborate themed sets were challenging, the product itself is high-quality and immensely enjoyable. If you’re looking for a construction toy that will endure and encourage spontaneous creativity, Plus-Plus is an excellent choice.

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Join the Conversation!

Do you have a favorite open-ended building toy that you swear by? What do you think of Plus-Plus? Share your experiences and favorite creations in the comments below!

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For more information on the full range of products, please visit Plus-Plus directly at https://www.plus-plus.com.