Shivangi Sinha
Innovative and learning-focused games are essential for children as they stimulate creativity, problem-solving, and critical thinking while making learning enjoyable. Hands-on activities like building and experimenting help develop fine motor skills and spatial awareness, while also fostering collaboration and patience. Such educational play lays the foundation for cognitive growth. In ABC’s ‘Shark Tank’ season 17, episode 15, Everything Blocks (also Everything Blocks!) showcased its unique version of building blocks designed to be even more engaging and interactive. Their product combines fun with educational value that enhances learning through play, and is an exciting experience for kids.
Everything Blocks: Who Are They and What Do They Do?
Kaity and Tim Wade are lifelong athletes whose passion for gymnastics and cheerleading shaped their professional journey. Kaity began full-time gymnastics at seven and transitioned to SEAL Gym while starting All-Star cheer at 13. As a Level 5 cheerleader, she continued her athletic career at Tarleton State University on the co-ed cheer team, placing second at the Daytona competition in the Gameday category. She later became an instructor for the National Cheerleading Association (NCA) and has been coaching at Howard Payne University since October 2020. Tim Wade grew up training in the family-owned gym. He gained recognition for setting a record for the most consecutive handsprings, achieving 46 at age 17, surpassing his own previous mark of 39.
The couple eventually met, married, and began working together at SEAL Cheerzone, coaching gymnastics and observing young athletes’ love for stacking blocks. Recognizing that many parents lacked the space for traditional play, they designed innovative, collapsible educational blocks. These puzzle-style blocks, which are called Everything Blocks, are built to withstand rough play while combining fun with learning. Covering subjects from math and letters to numbers and maps, the blocks aim to keep education engaging and hands-on. The Wades prototyped their first sets in 2023 with neighbors and friends. They have since refined the designs and eventually launched their own business to bring interactive learning to homes and classrooms.
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Everything Blocks: Where Are They Now?
Everything Blocks offers the world’s first and only folding learning blocks, designed to make educational play fun, safe, and space-efficient. The product comes in two sizes with a lifetime guarantee. The 6-inch Mini Blocks set includes 26 lightweight folding blocks with smooth edges for easy stacking and building. Its Fold and Forget design stores all 26 blocks neatly in the included vinyl bag. The set features uppercase and lowercase letters, assorted colors, pictures, numbers, and even a world map puzzle that can be built vertically. Made of lightweight vinyl, these blocks are easy for small hands to manipulate. This set is priced at $135. The 12-inch Original Blocks also contain 26 larger folding blocks with the same features, but provide a bigger building experience for older children or collaborative play, priced at $175.
For families who want the best of both worlds, the Mixed Bundle combines 52 blocks of both sizes, allowing children to mix and match different dimensions for creative projects. It also comes with the Fold and Forget storage system and includes all the educational features of the individual sets. The bundle is available for $268. Everything Blocks can be ordered directly from their website, as well as on Amazon and the TikTok Shop. Their website also features learning activities curated by occupational therapist Amanda Gibbs. It makes it a thoughtfully designed, home-built solution that keeps kids engaged while supporting cognitive and motor skill development.
