I distinctly remember a set of “alphabet blocks” that were kept in the front hall closet at my grandparent’s house. My grandfather was quite the woodworker and I was told at a later age that he had made them for mom and her sister (my aunt). So they got a lot of use.
These are not the blocks I had but are close.
At some age… 3-4 (?) I was given some large corrugated-cardboard bricks. Physical dimensions I have no idea, but I recall they seemed really big to me.
Probably something like these.
And then I was introduced to cardboard boxes and masking tape …
Common characteristics: creative, spacial perception, hand-eye coordination, inexpensive