Tag: Excellerations Building Sets

These Excellerations Soft Rabbit blocks are somewhat unique. It is an interesting version of the “waffle” blocks with the pieces that look like cartoonish rabbits. All the pieces also have rabbit faces on them, and usual “waffle” pegs are rabbit ears and limbs in this set. Excellerations Soft Rabbit blocks are made from soft plastic, and they have no sharp edges and corners, so they are safe for the small kids to play. The pieces are very big – impossible to swallow and easy to hold. The set also comes in a big storage box, where all the pieces fit neatly.

However, these pieces are not flexible enough to actually bend them for the construction. The pegs of these pieces are very thick, so the number of ways you can contact them to the other pieces is very limited. Also, all the rabbits are the same, which is also somewhat limiting. The number of the pieces – 36 – is very small, compared to many other “waffle” sets.

In general, this set is similar to Danish Plus Plus, which also has pieces of the exact same shape in it. But Plus Plus and similar waffle blocks can connect in more ways and form more complex crafts. Because of this and the size, the Rabbit blocks are better choice for toddlers than for older kids.

Waffle blocks like this Excellerations miniature waffle blocks set are popular building toys. They are flat and have matching pegs on their sides. You can assemble these pieces in 2D and 3D shapes, and in different positions.
Pieces of this set have an unusually big number of pegs on them – far more than pieces of Gakken and Plus Plus. The pieces have openings in them, so you can connect the pegs to the edges or the centres of the pieces.

All the pieces in this set are exactly the same in shape in form, with the color being the only difference. You can build many things from these pieces, given all the opportunities this set has. On the other hand, this set doesn’t have arches and other similar pieces, which somewhat limits the building possibilities. The houses are the things waffle blocks make best, and, sadly, there are no options for, say, cars with moving wheels.
This particular set has pieces that are 1.5 inches wide, so they are safe for small children to play with. These pieces are easy to hold and too big to swallow, so the manufacturer recommends them for kids who are 3 years or older.

This set is very similar to Plus Plus and Gakken New Blocks. Just like with Plus Plus, the set has similar pieces of different colors. Excellerations translucent waffle blocks have weird and unusual shapes, and they are made from transparent colorful plastic. Unlike Plus Plus sets, this set has pieces of different shapes – even if their size is very similar. The pieces are thick, so the pegs are as thick as they are long. Because of this, you can connect the pieces in any direction, they will hold well all the same. So you can build both 2D mosaics and all kinds of 3D shapes, connecting the pieces vertically, horizontally or even with an angle. This brand also offers similar sets with non-transparent pieces. Unlike some other “waffle” blocks, pieces from this set don’t have square holes in them, so you can connect only the edges.

Danish Plus Plus sets are among the most popular and well-know “waffle” building sets. Almost all pieces in these sets are excctly the same – except for wheels and the baseplates. However, even with only the basic pieces, you can build almost anything.

All basic pieces have exactly the same shape and size. The Danish schools use Plus Plus kits as an educational tool, to teach kids basic STEAM skills, and help them develop fine motorics and creativity.

To add some difference and more variety to the crafts, Plus Plus brand offers countless sets with different numbers and colors of the pieces. There are pieces of different colors and hues, glowing pieces, pieces with glitter, and so on. The sets also may include any number of the Plus Plus pieces, there are both small travelling kits and big gifts sets.