About GRIMM’s:
GRIMM’s is a family-owned company in Germany that develops, manufactures and sells wooden toys worldwide since 1978. Their goal is to create sustainable, long-lasting and open-ended toys that are loved by ALL ages!
GRIMM’s wooden toys help develops children’s imagination, brings creativity to thinking and encourages creative abilities. The possibilities are endless with these open-ended toys.
The History of GRIMM’s Mandala Lara:
GRIMM’s Mandala Lara (43065) was first introduced in 2009 and was retired in 2018. Since then, it has become one of the highly saught toy in Wooden Toy groups. People are willing to pay well over retail for it. Due to the growing demand, GRIMM’s decided to relaunch it again in 2023.
According to GRIMM’s, the Lara fits perfectly into their range of building sets: there are organic, geometric, colored and natural ones, for younger and older builders. The Lara complements the sets perfectly because it is more for experienced builders and adults.
Product Information:
GRIMM’s Mandala Lara has been renamed to GRIMM’s Building Set Lara in 2023. This set comes with 73 blocks in a round 17 inches by 17 inches by 1.5 inches tray. Each block is 4cm in thickness. A paper template in original size is included to guide you to put the blocks back into the tray. It is handcrafted from solid wood (sustainably managed forests), then colored with water-based, certified nontoxic color stains.
It is recommended for children age 3 years and up.
My First Impression:
When I first opened GRIMM’s Building Set Lara, I was nearly in tears. This was the prettiest wooden puzzle I have ever seen. All of the flowers and the soft pastel colors made me gasp. It was just that beautiful. The quality and craftsmanship is in line with all the other GRIMM’s products. It has a nice grippy texture and the colors were nice and vibrant.
Ways to Play with GRIMM’S Building Set Lara
Loose Parts Play
This might be my favorite way to play with this building set. All the curve pieces this set offers allows me to make beautiful art.
Mandala
There is something peaceful and therapeutic about making mandalas. Some people use mandalas for meditation. It can also help reduce anxiety and stress.
Stacking
GRIMM’s Building Set Lara is perfect for stacking. Stacking is beneficial to your child’s learning and development such as:
- Hand-eye Coordination
- Problem-solving Skills
- Cause and Effect
- Color Recognition
- Identifying Shapes
Small World Play
Small world play allows children to act out scenarios in a miniature play scene, created with small figures and objects. A child’s small world play is often based around a certain theme depending on the child’s interests. Small world play encourages children to be creative and to use their imaginations like no other play.
Puzzle Play
If you think about it, all these wooden blocks are pieces to a giant puzzle. My 5 year old likes using the paper template to put all the blocks back together in the tray. By picking up, manipulating and placing wooden blocks, it develops hand-eye coordination. Puzzle play requires problem solving. Even with a guide, your child has to develop critical thinking skills in order to put the blocks back together. Most importantly, puzzle play developed patience. Wooden puzzles take time and need to be worked through.
Letter Play
Playing with open-ended toys (or loose parts) is a creative learning experience most children love. It allows them to discover how to create letters using the various shapes out of the loose parts. T
To Buy or Not to Buy GRIMM’s Building Set Lara?
I own quite a lot of GRIMM’s wooden toys, and GRIMM’s Building Set Lara is by far, my favorite. I love how versatile the shapes are, and all the different ways to play. It also makes a beautiful decoration while not in play. With that said, I would absolutely recommend buying this set and am thinking about gifting one to my own mom. The fact that GRIMM’s brought this set back is a sign that you should probably invest in this heirloom toy that can be passed down for generations.
Where to buy GRIMM’s?
You can find the Grimm’s store locator here.
Disclosure: The GRIMM’s Building Set Lara kindly gifted by GRIMM’s. All thoughts and opinions are my own.