Lego

What is it

Unleash a world of open-ended creativity and imagination with Lego. Imaginative building and construction play is easy with bright, colourful and versatile interlocking plastic Lego bricks and accompanying mini-figures, doors, windows, wheels and special elements.

Lego pieces can be assembled and connected in many ways, to construct objects, vehicles, buildings, and even working robots. Anything constructed can then be taken apart again, and the pieces used to make other objects. It can also be taken out and about and smaller sets are ideal for use for entertaining children wherever you are, such as in the car, at a restaurant or on holiday.

What our experts think

Lego is a classic favourite that never seems to age. The sets are great for teaching children to follow instructions which promotes concentration and attention skills. We found this particularly interested some ASD and ADHD children, as the ordered nature and the way in which they could follow a set of clear instructions to achieve a set of outcome worked well.

The free play element where children can let their imaginations run wild and make their own creations is equally great, and the possibilities really are endless. Constructing the bricks promotes spatial awareness and requires strategy and logic which teaches basic engineering skills. The characters are also a great addition and turn the construction toy into small world play. This enables children to act out situations and make sense of them, which develops understanding of the world and encourages personal, social and emotional development. Completing a lego project can also foster a sense of pride and achievement in children which promotes their self-confidence. It is great that children can find a set to suit their interests: from super heroes, to space and from horses to world famous buildings – there is a set for everyone!

Lego is a toy suitable for all ages: there are larger bricks (Duplo) and simpler sets for smaller hands and more complicated constructions for older children and adults.  The bricks require a degree of manual dexterity for the children to successfully put them together – younger children may need help taking some parts apart. Our only criticism is that some of the sets seem a little gender orientated and could be more universal in colour.