Prairie Dog Mini Building Blocks
$12.00
Only 2 left in stock
Shipping calculated in cart/checkout:Â Shipping rates for first items start at $7, calculated based on weight of total order.
220-piece mini building block set that assembles into a prairie dog on a display base. Made by Impact Photographics under The Mini Block brand. Printed step-by-step instructions included, no glue needed. Assembled size is about 3 1/8 inches on each side.
- 220 pieces, durable ABS plastic
- Assembled size: 3 1/8″ H x 3 1/8″ W x 3 1/4″ D (80 x 80 x 84 mm)
- Weight: 3 oz
- Ages 7+ (small parts, choking hazard for children under 3)
- Proceeds support Wind Cave National Park and other BHPFA partner parks and forests
- Part of a collection: also available as Bat, Bighorn Sheep, Bison, Bald Eagle, Elk, and White-tailed Deer Fawn
Only 2 left in stock
60-day returns · Ships from South Dakota via USPS
Prairie Dog Mini Building Blocks
$12.00
Only 2 left in stock
Shipping calculated in cart/checkout:Â Shipping rates for first items start at $7, calculated based on weight of total order.
220-piece mini building block set that assembles into a prairie dog on a display base. Made by Impact Photographics under The Mini Block brand. Printed step-by-step instructions included, no glue needed. Assembled size is about 3 1/8 inches on each side.
- 220 pieces, durable ABS plastic
- Assembled size: 3 1/8″ H x 3 1/8″ W x 3 1/4″ D (80 x 80 x 84 mm)
- Weight: 3 oz
- Ages 7+ (small parts, choking hazard for children under 3)
- Proceeds support Wind Cave National Park and other BHPFA partner parks and forests
- Part of a collection: also available as Bat, Bighorn Sheep, Bison, Bald Eagle, Elk, and White-tailed Deer Fawn
Only 2 left in stock
60-day returns · Ships from South Dakota via USPS
Real USPS rates, no markup. The money we save funds trail crews and internships.
Join BHPFA for $30 a year -> get your code by email in seconds. -> Use it at checkout today. Show your card at hundreds of nonprofit park stores nationwide for 10% off.
Every item is selected or approved by rangers and staff. Your purchase keeps them on the front lines.
Real USPS rates, no markup. The money we save funds trail crews and internships.
Join BHPFA for $30 a year -> get your code by email in seconds. -> Use it at checkout today. Show your card at hundreds of nonprofit park stores nationwide for 10% off.
Every item is selected or approved by rangers and staff. Your purchase keeps them on the front lines.
Description
What are Prairie Dog Mini Building Blocks?
A 220-piece building set that snaps together into a standing prairie dog on a small display base. Pieces are durable ABS plastic, CPC safety certified and non-toxic. The box includes a printed step-by-step instruction sheet. No glue, no tools. Open the box and start building.
Impact Photographics makes these under The Mini Block brand. The pieces are smaller than standard building bricks (think nano blocks), which is what lets the finished model pick up detail like the round belly, alert sentry posture, and small forepaws at this size. The assembled prairie dog is about 3 1/8 inches on each side, good for a desk, shelf, or kids’ bookcase.
Prairie dogs are one of the most visible animals in the country BHPFA supports. Colonies live on the mixed-grass prairie at Wind Cave National Park, where the “towns” spread across the flats below the cave entrance and the bison range overlaps with prairie dog burrows. Scotts Bluff and Agate Fossil Beds, both in western Nebraska, also hold colonies. If you have ever stopped on a park road to watch a family of prairie dogs chirp, pop up, and dive back into their burrows, this is the animal you were watching. This set lets you build one at home.
What is in the box
- 220 mini building block pieces (ABS plastic)
- Printed step-by-step instruction sheet
- Packaging with information about prairie dogs
Everything you need is in the box. No glue or tools required.
Specifications
| Brand | Impact Photographics (The Mini Block) |
| Piece count | 220 |
| Assembled size | 3 1/8″ H x 3 1/8″ W x 3 1/4″ D (80 x 80 x 84 mm) |
| Weight | 3 oz |
| Material | Durable ABS plastic, CPC safety certified, non-toxic |
| Age range | Ages 7+ (choking hazard under 3) |
| Assembly | Instructions included, no glue needed |
Who is this for?
Kids 7 and up. The pieces are smaller than standard building bricks, so younger builders in the 7 to 9 range may want a parent close by for the finer detail sections. Older kids can follow the diagrams on their own. Good rainy-day activity at a cabin, campground, or on the drive home from a Black Hills trip.
Adults who like detailed model kits. Mini blocks have a following among adult builders who enjoy the patience and finish quality of a small-scale model. The completed prairie dog looks the part on a desk, a nature-themed shelf, or next to other Black Hills wildlife collectibles. Expect roughly 1 to 2 hours of build time depending on how comfortable you are with small pieces.
Gift buyers. The box is small enough to fit in a stocking or the top half of a gift basket. At the current price it works as a standalone gift or as the activity component in a larger national parks gift set. If the recipient likes collecting, pair it with another set from the series.
Frequently asked questions
How many pieces are in this set?
220. The pieces are smaller than standard building bricks (similar to nano or micro blocks) and snap together without glue.
Is this like LEGO?
Similar idea, different scale. Mini blocks are smaller than LEGO pieces, which is why you see more detail in the finished model than you would with a same-size LEGO build. They are not compatible with LEGO bricks.
What age is this for?
Ages 7 and up. The set contains small parts that are a choking hazard for children under 3. Kids 7 to 9 may need adult help with the finer detail pieces.
How long does it take to build?
Most people finish in 1 to 2 hours. The instructions are color-coded diagrams, so no reading is required once you get started.
What are the blocks made of?
Durable ABS plastic, CPC safety certified, non-toxic. The pieces are rigid and hold their shape, so the finished model stays together and displays well.
Where do prairie dogs live in the Black Hills and the Nebraska panhandle?
Black-tailed prairie dogs are native to the mixed-grass prairie of the northern Great Plains. Colonies (sometimes called “towns”) live on the open flats at Wind Cave National Park in the southern Black Hills, and at Scotts Bluff and Agate Fossil Beds in the Nebraska panhandle. They dig extensive burrow systems, live in family groups called coteries, and spend a lot of time above ground grazing and watching for predators.
Are prairie dogs actually dogs?
No. They are large ground squirrels in the genus Cynomys. The “dog” name comes from their short, sharp alarm bark, which early settlers thought sounded like a small dog yipping. There are five species in North America; the black-tailed prairie dog is the one you will see on Wind Cave’s prairie and across the Great Plains.
Why are prairie dogs important to the grassland ecosystem?
Prairie dogs are a keystone species on the mixed-grass prairie. Their burrows provide shelter for burrowing owls, rattlesnakes, and other animals. Their grazing keeps the grass short, which attracts bison and pronghorn. And they are the near-exclusive prey of the black-footed ferret, one of the most endangered mammals in North America. Wind Cave National Park is an active black-footed ferret reintroduction site, and healthy prairie dog colonies are the reason that reintroduction can happen there.
Can I download the instructions if I lose them?
Yes. Impact Photographics offers a free MiniBlock Builder app with interactive 3D instructions, in addition to the printed sheet in the box.
What other sets are in the collection?
BHPFA carries several Mini Block sets from Impact Photographics, including Bat, Bighorn Sheep, Bison, Bald Eagle, Elk, and White-tailed Deer Fawn.
Does buying this support national parks and forests?
Yes. BHPFA is the official nonprofit partner of Wind Cave National Park, Jewel Cave National Monument, Scotts Bluff National Monument, and Agate Fossil Beds National Monument, as well as the Black Hills National Forest and Nebraska National Forests & Grasslands. Proceeds from every purchase support education programs, conservation projects, and visitor services at these sites.
Build your collection
BHPFA carries a range of Mini Block sets from Impact Photographics. If you like the prairie dog, take a look at the rest of the wildlife line:
Every Purchase Makes a Difference
When you shop with Black Hills Parks & Forests Association, you are directly funding:
- Education programs — nature workshops, Junior Ranger activities, and homeschool adventures for kids across the Black Hills
- Trail maintenance — keeping hiking trails safe and accessible at Wind Cave, Jewel Cave, and the Black Hills National Forest
- Visitor services — park store operations, interpretive programs, and the staff who help millions of visitors each year
- Conservation — supporting the long-term health of public lands in the Black Hills and Nebraska
BHPFA is the official nonprofit partner of the National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service in the Black Hills region. We have supported these public lands since 1946.
Additional information
| Weight | 3 oz |
|---|---|
| Brand | Impact Photographics |
| Dimensions | 3 1/8" H x 3 1/8" W x 3 1/4" D (assembled) |
| Weight | 3 oz |
| Material | ABS plastic (mini building blocks) |
| Age Range | 7+ |
Note on International Orders
Some countries charge import duties, VAT, or handling fees on delivery. These are set by your local government and are not included in our checkout total. Customers are responsible for paying any such charges before receiving their package.
