Parents' Guide to Toca Blocks

App iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad , Android Paid Education
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Common Sense Media Review

Mieke VanderBorght By Mieke VanderBorght , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 6+

Sandbox world-builder offers a great intro for younger kids.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 6+?

Any Positive Content?

  • Toca Blocks App: Screenshot #1
  • Toca Blocks App: Screenshot #2
  • Toca Blocks App: Screenshot #3
  • Toca Blocks App: Screenshot #4

Parent and Kid Reviews

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age 5+

Based on 4 kid reviews

 

 

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What's It About?

Build imaginary worlds with TOCA BLOCKS in the style of Minecraft. Kids start with a basic setting and small set of blocks. They can move blocks around, add to and change them, combine them, and explore their created world with three characters, each with a special way of moving around. There's a vast sky and deep underground available for building and much to explore. For example, doors take characters to different dimensions, and different block combinations create blocks with unique properties. Each world is automatically saved and can be revisited at any time.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say : Not yet rated
Kids say ( 4 ):

The sky's the limit in this open-ended Minecraft-esque building universe; with no introduction or instructions, kids are let loose to explore, discover, delight -- and possibly get frustrated. Block combining can get fun -- and downright addictive -- as kids keep experimenting to see what new block or item they can generate, and whatever they create is always available in their block dock. However, there's one downside: Though many kids will love the freedom, the lack of structure may exasperate others. Though the website and parent instructions within the app do have some user videos that demonstrate what fun it can be, without more guidance about what the app can do, its appeal may fly straight over some kids' heads. And some things are never explained -- for example, what are those eyes on some of the blocks for? Also, navigation can be sensitive sometimes, so kids will need practice to get used to how and where to tap or drag. For kids who love to explore without limits, Toca Blocks is a decent introduction to world creators that offers some unique special features, makes a strong use of the screen, and is appropriate for younger kids.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about what kids create. Ask kids to take you on a tour of their world and explain how it works.

  • Build with your kids on and off the screen. Break out traditional building blocks, Legos, or whatever you have, and get creative. Talk about how building experiences are different depending on what you use.

  • Creating imaginary worlds can get addictive for some. Talk about setting screen-time limits and balancing on-screen and offscreen activities.

App Details

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