Like 3x3x3 dig tool, or terrain flattener tool? If not, how do you approach.larger projects? Im starting a bog basic cobblestone fort with the kid, and since two or three days playtime we havent got the foundation ready.
Are you playing bedrock or Java? How much do you know of the core mechanics, such as Efficiency, different tools, or Beacons? The game does not make it clear, but you need to switch tools to mine different blocks, or mining them will take forever.
Generally, in Survival, you need an Efficiency V diamond pickaxe with a Haste II beacon to “insta-mine” stone, but a mere Efficiency III diamond shovel will do the same for gravel and dirt. That said, any levels in efficiency will greatly speed things up.
It can be a fun challenge to search for diamonds and lapis to use the enchanting table (though spending hours accumulating resources like bookshelves just to suffer from bad RNG on enchantments can be frustrating). However, if you are just looking to get started building, don’t feel bad about popping into Creative to give yourself some Efficiency books, an anvil, or a beacon, unless you are interested in grinding out the whole game.
Java, and basic stuff only. Ill admit, i started playing minecraft only recently, and now got the kid hooked on too. Dwarf Fortress is still my prime timesink, but this is also loads of fun.
If you only aim to build you can always do creative mode? You don't need to mine to get materials, and block breaking is instant. Other than that, or possibly a shit ton of dynamite, I think you have to turn to mods.
Best way in vanilla is to get better gear. There's no 3x3, but enchanted shovels can mine died instantly, clearing it out like tall grass.
Another trick you can do with cobblestone specifically is lava-casting. Get a bucket of lava, let it flow where you want cobble, Abe then pour water on it. Just make sure you pick up the lava source block right before so it doesn't become obsidian.
You know you can make a cobble generator without the risk of turning lava into obsidian. Great way to afk-mine but slower than mining natural smooth stone
Lava-casting is when you mix the lava and water where you already want the cobble, not just making it to mine it.
It's faster if you don't already have chests of cobble, you just have to clean up a bit, although since your placement changes depending on what you're making, it's pretty easy to mess up and get an obsidian block.
Also you can just generate smooth stone by dropping lava on water, then push it out via piston, so cobble mining is faster than traditional mining just to get cobblestone.