Museum Nesting Blocks

Features

• OFFICIAL THE MET LICENSED TOY: Inspired by the architecture of The Met and its beloved global collection.
• BUILD, STACK, NEST: Includes 5 nesting gallery-inspired blocks and 5 animal friends for open-ended, skill-building play.
• ANIMAL CHARACTERS FROM ART: An owl, bunny, lion, hippo, and elephant echo animals in The Met collection.
• DESIGNED FOR TODDLERS: Chunky pieces with smooth edges are perfect for small hands—ideal for ages 18M+.
• DEVELOPMENTALLY RICH: Encourages fine motor skills, sequencing, storytelling, and imaginative play.
• CREATED WITH EXPERTS: Developed with early-childhood specialists and The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Product Description

Open the door to artful storytelling and skill-building play with the Hape x The Met Museum Nesting & Stacking Block Set. Inspired by the architecture of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, this charming set invites toddlers to explore the Museum in their own hands-on way.

Featuring five nesting blocks designed to resemble The Met’s iconic halls—each with its own illustrated details and sizes—children can build up or nest down their own Museum tower. Paired with five friendly animal figures (an owl, bunny, lion, hippo, and elephant), this set blends imaginative play with early spatial and motor development.

Each animal is inspired by a work in The Met’s holdings, offering a first connection to the Museum’s global collection. Children can match animals to “halls,” act out stories, and explore concepts like size, order, and balance—all while discovering a love for building and play.

Thoughtfully created in collaboration with early-childhood experts and The Metropolitan Museum of Art, this set makes a meaningful gift for toddlers, combining education, design, and the magic of a world-class museum.

Antelope pendant

, ca. 3100–2900 BCE. Southwestern Iran. Rogers Fund, 1947

Relief panel

, ca. 883–859 BCE. Assyrian. Gift of John D. Rockefeller Jr., 1931

Relief panel

, ca. 883–859 BCE. Assyrian. Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917

Pair of Carved Doors

, 1466. Iran. Rogers Fund, 1935

Earth

, ca. 1750–60. Probably by Jean-Pierre Defrance. Purchase, Charles Ulrick and Josephine Bay Foundation Inc. Gift, 1964

Fire

Herakles the Archer

, 1909. Antoine-Emile Bourdelle. Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Stephen C. Millett, 1924

Hippopotamus in a Marsh Scene, Tomb of Amenehhat

, 1922, original 1479–1425 BCE. Charles K. Wilkinson. Rogers Fund, 1930

Jar with winged bulls flanking palmettes

, ca. 8th–7th century BCE. Iran. Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1951

Jar with a frieze of bulls

, ca. 8th–7th century BCE. Iran. Purchase, Joseph Pulitzer Bequest, 1955

Human-headed winged lion (lamassu)

, ca. 883–859 BCE. Assyrian. Gift of John D. Rockefeller Jr., 1932

Man Before a False Door, Tomb of Nebamun

, 1920–21, original ca. 1479–1458 BCE. Charles K. Wilkinson. Rogers Fund, 1930

Owl

, 1753–58. Chelsea Porcelain Manufactory. Gift of Dr. and Mrs. A. L. Garbat, 1961

Palm Column of Sahure

, ca. 2458–2446 BCE. Egypt. Rogers Fund, 1910

Pierced Window Screen (Jali)

, second half 16th century. India. Rogers Fund, 1993

Portrait of the Elephant 'Alam Guman

, ca. 1640. Painting attributed to Bichitr. Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1996

Netsuke of Rabbit

, 19th century. Japan. Gift of Mrs. Russell Sage, 1910

Seated Lion (one of a pair)

, Ming dynasty (1368–1644). China. Gift of Mrs. Vincent Astor, 1979

Stela of Raneb

, ca. 2880 BCE. Egypt. Purchase, Joseph Pulitzer Bequest, 1960; Purchase, Lila Acheson Wallace Gift, 1975

Panel with striding lion

, ca. 604–562 BCE. Mesopotamia, Babylon (modern Hillah). Fletcher Fund, 1931

Hippopotamus ("William")

, ca. 1961–1878 BCE. Egypt. Gift of Edward S. Harkness, 1917