Educational Toys Blog | Children Education Games

The Top 10 Best LEGO Sets Of All Time

LEGO have been inspiring children and adults alike to imagine, play and create for over 75 years now. Over the past 50 years they have released over 122 different themed kits - from "Atlantis" to "Star Wars" - selling millions upon millions of kits a year and annually producing approximately 36 billion LEGO bricks.
Here we look at a rundown of the ten best LEGO sets of all time (with a combined brick count of 13,070):

10. Monorail Transport System

This classic 1987 LEGO set consists of 731 pieces and 5 mini-figures (3 Yellow Futuron Astronauts and 2 Blue Futuron Astronauts). The Transport System is the base of the Futuron astronauts. This set is the first to include the grey Monorail track pieces. In 1989 LEGO released an extension set for the monorail known as the 6921-Monorail Accessory Track.

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14 Genius Lego Mindstorms & Lego Technic Creations [videos]

Lego GBC 20 Modules

This is absolutely incredible. The balls are scooped up and depending on whether they are black/white balls or the orange balls are taken down a circuit which eventually brings them into a playing area and the balls are individually sent down the playing area and they drop into a winning or losing position. There is a working conveyor belt and a huge number of processes which are co-ordinated brilliantly. (more...)

Lego Super Heroes - New Theme for 2012

Due for release during 2012 are two new licensed themes from Lego. Called LEGO Super Heroes the two licenses are from Marvel Comics from Marvel Entertainment together with DC Comics from Warner Brothers.

The first Lego kits to be released are due in the Spring of 2012 and there are already some details of the first seventeen sets. Some kits are updated versions of previously released kits and there are bound to be some Lego enthusiasts who bought the original kits who will now want to purchase the 2012 versions. (more...)

Lego City Sets for 2012 - New Forest Theme

The ever popular City theme from Lego is due to be expanded in 2012. For the New Year it will go beyond the existing series of kits which form different areas of “Lego Life” within a City environment. Previously these have been based around the Police and Fire Stations and their mobile units, and the Harbour, Airport and Train Station, with similar, slightly fragile threads which together form the overall City link.

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Lego Friends - One for the Girls in 2012

Lego have, for quite some time, been looking for a theme to replace the Belville series which hasn’t had any new kits released since 2008. The Belville kits commenced in 1994 and since that time there have been a total of 82 different sets which were originally based around fairyland Princesses, their Palaces and their general lifestyle. In the latter years this evolved into little girls, their families and their aspirational lives with ponies and stables included in the theme. (more...)

What's Happening This Winter in the World of Lego

Legoland Windsor

Those little bricks which we remember from many years ago have evolved into a whole world of Lego and in the UK we now have Legoland at Windsor Park with the new hotel opening in March 2012. It is unfortunate that until it is completely closed until Saturday, 17^th March 2012. When it does re-open the themed hotel should be a fantastic addition to everyone who enjoys playing with these addictive rectangular blocks. There are great rides at Legoland and when it re-opens in the spring will be fantastic and a wonderful trip for the whole family – watch that the little ones don’t get over excited! (more...)

Lego Star Wars Sets for 2012

There are many people who combine their enjoyment of Lego together with their other passion for Star Wars and these enthusiasts can look forward to a raft of new kits from Lego during 2012. At this time there is the anticipation for the release of another eight Lego kits to supplement those already available within the Star Wars theme and further additions from Lego will include six more kits promised for 2012 which are the eagerly awaited Lego Star Wars Planets.

Star Wars

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10 Super Cool Ideas from Lego Cuusoo

Lego Cuusoo – do you know what it is – have you even heard of it? Even some staunch Lego enthusiasts aren’t aware about Lego Cuusoo and the wonderful benefits which will come from being not only a Follower, but a Supporter, and by becoming involved with the concept.

In a nutshell Lego Cuusoo is a platform for every Lego builder who wants to design a piece of Lego which they feel is capable of going into production and being sold within the Lego brand. If Lego are able to manufacture the kit the originator of the design will receive royalty payments. Of course, there need to be many Lego builders who need to support each design for Lego to take it any further. Start by finding out about Lego Cuusoo at http://lego.cuusoo.com/ and make your vote count towards getting some fantastic new ideas turned into reality.

Star Wars Fans – Show your Support

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Lego: Putting the Building Blocks in Place Early with your Child's Development

It is well recognised that the early years are the most important in any child’s development. The World Health Organisation (WHO) have carried out extensive research in this area state that ‘brain and biological development during the first years of life is highly influenced by an infant’s environment and that early experiences determine health, education and economic participation for the rest of life’.

Its research suggests that many challenges faced by adults, such as mental health issues, obesity, heart disease, criminality, and poor literacy and numeracy, can all be traced back to early childhood. With such serious consequences associated with poor child development, it is no wonder that parents want to optimise the learning experience in these formative years. But where should they start?

There are some simple and effective ways to stimulate your child’s early brain development and they are not always where you would first imagine. It is not all about playing musical classics such as Mozart and reciting poetry from the moment your child is born; how about playing with block toys such as Lego!? (more...)

Educational Toys Christmas Ideas

It’s just about now when the majority of mums start to panic as to where they are going to find this year’s essential purchase for the children. I’ve not forgotten about dad – however, it’s far too early for him to be even giving any thought to buying Christmas presents!

Toys for Big Boys

It is much easier than it used to be – gone are the days of tramping from one toy shop to another, and even having to travel miles to another branch of the same toy store trying to track down the specific item our child “can’t possibly live without.” Thunderbirds, originally broadcast in the 1960s was re-released in the 1990s - remember back to the year of the Thunderbirds Tracy Island panic in 1992? Because of the shortage of stock it missed out on being Toy of the Year; however, patience was rewarded because Thunderbirds did win that accolade in 1993. Blue Peter presenters famously made their own version because trying to buy one was like chasing gold-dust! Travelling forwards in time to 2011 and Tracy Island is still available for sale, although at over £100 is considerably more expensive than eighteen years ago. It is still a popular item, which can with a little searching still be found and with some collectors selling them at up to £200 (ouch!) a good starting point to find this iconic model is Amazon.co.uk; it may just be what your child – or dad – would enjoy!

Back to 2011 and the current favourites for this year. It really depends on the age of the child, as the “must haves” vary dramatically with each age group. Also, there is some disparity between the boys and girls this year with few toys being equally liked by both genders. (more...)