If they want to build it, they will come.

Children from across Anson County came to the Lockhart-Taylor Center last week to Block Fest. The traveling exhibit allows children to learn concepts from various subjects through free play with blocks.

"The purpose of Block Fest is to promote children playing with blocks in the home and also in childcare and in kindergarten through third grade," Anson County Partnership for Children executive director Elaine Scarborough said.

"Several local schools came," Partnership community outreach coordinator Shana Peale said.

Students played at different stations.

"They learn about math and science," Peale said.

Scarborough said the children learned about concepts like what a square is, or the difference between long and short blocks that were useful in math, for example.

Children enhanced their literacy skills by answering what they would do next, writing stories about what they had built or making plans for their construction.

Blocks are appropriate toys for children aged 8-18, she said. Parents should consider them as a gift option.

She cited their durability, timelessness and price as positives.

After the children were finished for the day, they were allowed to pick out a book.

Nearly 600 children visited Block Fest last week. The event was sponsored by the partnership, Parents as Teachers of North Carolina, South Piedmont Community College and Union County Community Action.

The exhibit is now in Forsyth County.