Wooden blocks natural shapes

No two stones are the same - and yet (with a little patience) one stone remains on top of the other. What is more likely to stimulate you and your child to try things out: the stereotype of a precisely cut, always identical block - or the unpredictable irregularity of a quarry stone? No question, the challenge of stacking these wooden building blocks in natural shapes to form a stable construction is incomparably greater than with the classic tower made of identical wooden building blocks. Instead of straight edges, there are randomly cut surfaces, instead of straight towers, there are undulating stacks - this is where the essence of free play is revealed. Their sheer endless variety is a captivating stimulus and the best remedy against the threat of boredom. These pieces are relatively large and easy to grasp, they are made of untreated beech wood and are velvety warm to the touch, they are all different and yet fit together, they are nature and art at the same time. The Zen-like fascination that these wooden building blocks exert on young and old alike therefore never wanes and at the same time contributes to cognitive development: Your child playfully learns the principle of gravity and how to counteract it with balance. It is hard to imagine a better way to train fine motor skills or a more creative exercise in patience that has such a meditative effect. Last but not least, playing with the balancing stones promotes the child's emotional development: It also teaches them to deal with the disappointment of failure - polter and pardauz - and to immediately try the building again.

The wooden building blocks in natural shapes were developed by a Dutchman who leads a very nature-loving life with his family. Influenced by anthroposophical ideas, he designed these wooden building blocks for his children to encourage and challenge them in their natural development process through play. Ten to fifteen work steps are required for each individual wooden building block until it has found its "final natural form". High-quality local beech wood is used, which has proven to be the ideal material for wooden toys: It is hard, strong and does not splinter. The beech wood is sawn and sanded, sanded and sawn again and again. With the help of large and small band saws, table saws and disc sanders, the carpenter - himself a paragon of patience and care - gradually works out the individual shape that he finally finds good and suitable.

By playing with these wooden building blocks, you and your child are following in the footsteps of nature: since time immemorial, people have been trying their hand at stacking natural stones into permanent piles and towers. Originally, these stone towers, also known as "Steinmännchen" in German-speaking countries, were used as distinctive signposts in confusing terrain. In modern times, however, their creative aspect has come to the fore. Stone balance, for example, is a more recent art form that experiments with balance and its transience. However, against the backdrop of the popular "I was here" selfies, the ubiquitous trend of marking stone piles also threatens to become a problem: Stone landscapes in the mountains and by the sea are habitats that are thrown out of their natural balance by the artificial stacking of stones. Plant roots are exposed and animals lose their shelter under the stones. In some places, especially at popular tourist destinations, real "deconstruction" by experts is required to restore the natural landscape. So if you also want to make a statement, why not use these wooden building blocks? You and your child can stack and build to your heart's content - completely carefree, without damaging the ecosystem.