Looking for a holiday present for a kindergartener or grade-schooler?

Timber logs are a great choice. You remember playing with these as a kid. Well, they are making a comeback and just in time.

By early grade school, your children are starting to hear stories of log cabins and perhaps pioneers. They’ve heard stories or watched movies that feature log homes.  This is a great way to let them create scenes that feature log homes or frontier themes.

Timber blocks like these from Maxim, are a little tougher to manage than regular unit blocks. They require some skill to build in the crisscross pattern that actually makes them stay together. But while learning the intricacies both your and your child can learn a little bit of engineering. Perhaps not everyone needs this type of help, but I admit, a few of my structures tumbled before I finally figured out the system. My six-year-old however had no such problems.

I like this set from Maxim because it seems pretty comprehensible. Included are roof slates and roof supports, as well as blocks for making chimneys. A total of 300 pieces in the box means your child shouldn’t run out at a crucial moment!