Korko Building Blocks review

Reviewed by New_Mama

I am sure like many parents I am keeping an eye out already for great ideas for Christmas presents for my own and other’s children. When buying for children I try to think of gifts that are long lasting and also not adding to the high levels of plastic children often have. I also try to find presents that will encourage aspects of learning for a wide age range as some toys can otherwise have such as short life span.

Building blocks are a firm favourite choice of toy for many children and can provide hours of entertainment for the very young to the much older children as their play develops from basic sensory touch play, to cause and effect building of towers and knocking them over, to more imaginative play of building their own worlds and structures. We tend to buy wooden blocks due to their longevity yet better environmental impact. Up until now I was not aware of any other suitable options. Korko however have developed a brand new sustainable, safe and durable block set out of cork.

Korko was founded in 2021 and is a joint venture between the well-known children’s brand Hape and the world’s largest cork manufacture Amorium, perhaps a little well less known currently among children’s toys. Made in Europe, Portugal to be precise, they are also made a little closer to home so add less to your carbon footprint.

I was sent the largest set available to purchase, containing 60 block pieces. The blocks are contained within a recyclable cardboard box designed to also look like cork. Its sturdy nature and rope handle mean it provides its own storage container which is great to help keep toys tidy (the rope handle could be a little longer as it can be quite tight getting the lid back on). The blocks come in 8 different shapes (including triangles, semi circles, squares, rectangles and cylinders). They are also coloured using water-based dyes which whilst are not as vibrant as some plastic toys, are surprisingly colourful and certainly more tasteful to the adult eye. They appear ‘natural’ and indeed are, made from bark (striped from trees which are not cut down and so can continue to grow and replenish the bark allowing removal again) and leftover cork from bottles. I was impressed at the sustainability aspects of these toys, and they come with many additional benefits. The material means there are no sharp edges, so safe so even the littlest of fingers to explore (the blocks are recommended for 18 months plus). They are also much lighter than wooden blocks and designed in this way to prevent any loud bangs when children’s towers inevitably fall over. They are also suited for those with dust allergies as the material claims to attract less dust.

The blocks provide the same great fun as any other more traditional block and yet have the above additional benefits so I can see these becoming popular. The brand is limited currently, with the blocks their only range. I think the main thing is the price tag which for all the benefits you do pay a premium (my set of 60 retails at £49.99). For the smaller price tag sets can be bought in sets of 20 (£19.99) and sets of 40 (£34.99). Delivery is free for orders over £40, and otherwise is £2.95 and takes 2-5 working days via DPD.

I would certainly recommend these as Christmas gift ideas for your own or other’s young children and will be considering them to purchase as further gifts myself in the future. Sets can be built up gradually and I would imagine as the brand takes off the product range will expand which I look forward to finding out about.

Rating: 4/5

Available to buy via the brands own website here.  

RRP: £49.99