Bloki
My eight and six year olds are enamored with Bloki, the app that lets you use “wooden” blocks to build on the iPad or iPhone screen. Wooden blocks are some of the best toys around, my children use them for everything. They’ve been pens to hold in My Little Ponies, landing strips for Star Wars Vehicles, Hot Wheels race tracks and more. I’m always surprised at what my children come up with by using a few simple shapes. Now building blocks are wonderful but let’s face it, they’re also a mess. Throw a toddler into the mix and you’ll be lucky if you ever find all of the blocks again. So part of Bloki’s appeal for me is that these blocks don’t scatter or end up on the stairs. You can also use the app in places where real blocks aren’t practical. The other thing I enjoy is that you can arrange and balance blocks in ways you never could in real life.
Bloki provides a blank screen and a shelf full of wooden blocks. Drag a block from the shelf and start building. Blocks can be rotated and easily moved. Add in another block and see what you can come up with. When you hold the iPad in landscape position the shelf disappears and you’ll be able to see more of the screen. If you tap the bottom of the screen the shelf quickly appears so you can take your blocks. If you’re holding the iPad in portrait position then the shelf remains. You can also take a picture of your creation when the iPad is upright in portrait mode.
Bloki has taken a simple toy and turned it into a delightful app. I’m so glad the developers didn’t overcomplicate things but kept the focus on block building. An app isn’t going to replace all the fun of wooden blocks, you can’t race Hot Wheels on an iPad screen. Please, no! But when actual blocks aren’t an option this is a terrific replacement.
Price when Reviewed: $1.99 for iPad version or $.99 for iPhone/iPod Touch version
Seller: Driftlab Inc.
Disclosure: I received a free promo code for review purposes.
