Anyone have the block crayons?

[bcblondie]

How do you like them? Do they really last the child's entire growing years? What's the best place to get them? The site I found them on is out of stock.

Thanks. 

[annettemarie]

We really love them, and yes, they do last. As a matter of fact, my three-year-old is using crayons that have been handed down three times! They're great for little hands and definitely worth it, IMO.

[bcblondie]

Thanks for the reply! Is it becuase of the wax they're made of, it doesn't wear down as fast? Or is it just because they're not breakable like conventional crayons that are garbage in a week?

[annettemarie]

The beeswax gives them their bright color and the shape makes them easier to clean up and keep reusing, but yes, I think it's mostly the fact that they're not breakable. It also makes it less frustrating for little hands to use.

[bcblondie]

I'm excited! Which site did you buy them from?

[Melaniee]

They are awesome. We still have my son's from when he was 2.

I think I bought mine from eBay but any Waldorf site usually has them. Off of the top of my head:

threesisterstoys.com

achildsdream.com

novanatural.com

They are good for little hands to hold, and also to keep children from drawing in such a linear hard fashion so early.

[appalachiamama]

I think we got ours from Three Sisters, but shop around.  Not all places have the same price.  We really like them--they're toys as well as crayons.  My daughter uses them to make cakes, trains, tables, whatever.  Conventional crayons break about 30 seconds after opening the box and are so frustrating for our little girl.  I've heard good reviews of crayon rocks, but I admit I'm really partial to the blocks.  The colors are great and they come with a little tool to sharpen the edges.  Now, if only I could find my tool. . .

[bcblondie]

That's exciting. THanks guys. :D

[copperfox]

Originally Posted by appalachiamama 

... The colors are great and they come with a little tool to sharpen the edges.  Now, if only I could find my tool. . .

Oh!!! I was wondering what that little blue tool was for. How is it used to sharpen the blocks?

[zinemama]

I have found that they last forever. In fact, my kids have the ones I got as a kid! The reason they last forever is that my kids really didn't care for them (and neither did I). They aren't drawn to them nearly as much as they are to stick-crayons. I still have some amazing Caran D'Ache crayons that were handed out to me in 6th grade of WS and they are still going strong.

[bcblondie]

Hmm That's a tough one. I don't want to buy them if they actually discourage  him from colouring. I guess I'll give them to him and if he doesn't use them much, try the other crayons.

[appalachiamama]

You can see a picture of the little tool here--it helps to hone the edges back to their former sharpness or to make the more blunt, depending on what you like.
 

Originally Posted by copperfox 

Originally Posted by appalachiamama 

... The colors are great and they come with a little tool to sharpen the edges.  Now, if only I could find my tool. . .

Oh!!! I was wondering what that little blue tool was for. How is it used to sharpen the blocks?

[bcblondie]

I think you forgot the link. lo.l

[brennan]

I still have mine from when I was little.  Mine were manufactured in West Germany .  We did chose to buy a new set so that my mom could keep my set at her house so dd would have something for when we went there.  I loved coloring with them, I still do!  I love making rainbows with the sides of them, my mom even remembers using them from when she went to a Waldorf school in Denmark, though she never had her own set.  That being said we also have the crayon rocks (not as vibrant and wear down fast) and the lyra ferby pencils (which we also love).  Dd can choose whatever medium she wants for her coloring.

[bcblondie]

Sounds awesome. :)

[JudiAU]

I got a mixed set because I couldn't decide and the stick crayons have been more popular with both kids. Ds had no problems with the sticks at 16 or 18m or whenever she expressed an interest. They can use the short stubby lira pencils as well and can't take them out and put them back into their holder (little snake from nova).

A toy garden has them in stock with 10% right now.

[appalachiamama]

 Here is it:  http://www.achildsdream.com/arts_crafts_kits/art_supplies.htmI think my browser is having trouble with the cursor, so I may have thought I put it in and it didn't go.  Probably because I use Firefox.  And am 38,000 weeks pregnant.

[bcblondie]

Hmmm I was wondering. Does the friction from having more surface area of crayon touching paper make it difficult for them to draw? Does the paper crumple? maybe that's why some kids lean towards the stick ones?

[appalachiamama]

We haven't experienced that, but we've always drawn on smooth paper.  And occasionally the furniture.

[bcblondie]

Heehee. My walls are nicely decorated with pencil and marker.

Ok so I placed an order with A Toy Garden. The shiping total is pending (Im in canada) so as long as it's under 15 it's the best deal I can find.