Midwest Blocks Summit

An immersive, deep dive into Unit Blocks and other open-ended materials, and their role in preschool through elementary education.

April 23-24, 2027

Hosted by Families Together Cooperative Nursery School

1500 W. Elmdale Ave., Chicago

Explore the incredible educational value of wooden unit blocks and other open-ended building materials with fellow preschool and elementary school educators through this 1½ day conference. Participate in hands-on workshops, observe classroom practices, and collaborate with peers to develop new strategies for integrating blocks-based learning into your teaching. Together, we'll deepen our understanding of how these timeless tools can spark creativity, critical thinking, and serve as the foundation of academic learning and growth in young learners.

Call for proposals open November 2026

Proposals due December 2026

Registration opens in December 2026