These new tips are mainly brought to you by the build preview (i.e.. building) our Fairy Tale Book Light – Alice in Wonderland series of 830 pieces, and the new range of CuteMIPS microparticle blocks!
"Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?"— The Cheshire Cat, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
Stickers – Handle with Care
Stickers can add that final touch to make your build come to life, but they can also be tricky to apply. They only work well if placed correctly the first time or adjusted once (if you haven't pressed them down too hard). Misplaced stickers can ruin an otherwise great build and leave young builders feeling frustrated. Ask an adult for help if you need too, and if you are adult offer guidance to avoid frustration! Here’s how to do it right:
Check it – Double-check (or triple-check!) that you have the correct sticker and place it according to the instructions. Most stickers are numbered, so match them carefully.
Plan it – Align the sticker with an edge for straight placement, especially for long stickers. Start at one edge and gently press across to avoid wrinkles.
Clean it – Sticky fingers are the enemy of perfect sticker placement! Wipe the surface and your hands with a tissue to remove grease or moisture.
Align it – Start by aligning one side first. Practice makes perfect!
Press it – Once you’re happy with the position, rub it down from one side to the other, pressing a few millimeters at a time to avoid air bubbles. Apply firm pressure to finish.
Securing Blocks – Tapping
Large builds like the Fairy Tale Book Light – Alice in Wonderland often include tall or long sections that are flimsy until more pieces are added later. Rather than applying force and risking frustration of collapsing pieces (trust me, I’ve been there), tapping the pieces can be a better solution.
Plastic block building hammers exist for this purpose, but they’re mainly for larger builds. For now, you can use something from home, like a small wooden rolling pin or a wooden spoon—just avoid metal, as it may scratch the surface.
Pro Tip: Align one side first, tilt the piece slightly, then gently tap it into place. This trick also helps secure large sections and ensures they’re tight—just don’t tap too hard!
Strategic Squeezing
Sometimes you’ll face a situation where two edges are secured, but there’s a long wide gap in between that tapping can’t fix or secure the blocks because there’s no support. Pushing harder will only cause it to spring back.
This is when strategic squeezing comes in!
Get your fingers wherever possible and gently squeeze the pieces together.
Plan your moves carefully, especially for builds with overlapping parts. Even being a few millimeters out can cause problems later.
Sometimes it’s better to go backwards and take some minor pieces apart to reattach them for stability rather than trying to fit things to flimsy pieces. This can cause frustration. There is no shame in going back a few steps!
Planning – A Builder’s Best Friend
We’ve said it before, and we will say it again—planning is key! During my build of the Fairy Tale Book Light – Alice in Wonderland, I made the mistake (no less than 5 times 😅) of assuming I had the right blocks without checking the instructions closely. I discovered my error much later when a needed a specific piece that seemed to be “missing.” After getting a little frustrated checking the pile multiple times I decided I should retrace my steps, I found I’d used it elsewhere and had to pull everything apart to fix it. Lesson learned!
CuteMIPS and Brain Stimulation
With the introduction of CuteMIPS microparticle blocks, you’ll notice that some instructions sometimes show full layers instead of every individual block or several blocks. While major brands (we won’t name names) may show step-by-step instructions for every tiny piece, ours mix it up! This method helps boost brain stimulation and keeps things more engaging for kids. Plus, all our products come from manufacturers that comply with multiple international safety standards and are cross checked to ensure kids safety.
Don’t worry—our instructions may vary, but the fun and challenge are always guaranteed!
We hope these plastic block building hints & tips have been useful. You can always reach out to us if you have any questions.
We hope you continue Building long-lasting happiness!!!
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