Aran Blocks is a patent pending building blocks system that can create useful weight bearing structures including small furniture pieces. They like to say it’s like LEGO and Ikea fell in love and had a baby. Currently, the folks behind Aran Blocks have taken to Kickstarter to raise funds to help them mass produce the line. They’ve sent us a pre-release set to check out for this review.

The Aran Blocks come in two unique shapes. There’s the basic building block (with all of its weird squares and cutouts on it) and the cover. The block is hollow in the center, which allows you to discreetly fish cords through them. The covers let you put a flat surface on the top of whatever you choose to design.

I was given the number of blocks that allowed me to create a laptop stand. The assembly was fairly simple. But since the sides on the blocks vary, you’ll want to line them up with the same design on the same side. Also, it seems like you’ll need to rotate the covering blocks to get a firm fit. I had a few that appeared to be loose, but turned them around and found they fit snug in that new position.

To create the laptop stand I did, you’re looking at the 48 blocks and 40 covers. On Kickstarter, the sets range in price from $40 (50 block/50 cover Early Bird) to $330 (500 block/500 cover). I’m assuming with that many, you could probably build a decent sized table for the kids. But is it cost effective when compared to other options? I like some of the smaller options, such as a monitor stand or a desk organizer, that use less blocks and are therefore a little more cost effective.

But to get Aran Blocks produced, you’re going to have to back them on Kickstarter. This project will only be funded if at least $18,000 is pledged by Wednesday, November 30th 2016 at 3:27 AM EDT. Remember...this is not a pre-order. There are many instances of crowd funded projects that have been funded never making good on their promised goods. So, (as I always say)back with caution.