We've been fans of City line. A lot of cheap (under $20) sets that can yield more than one design. This stimulates the creativity and flexibility of kid's mind.

We've been fans of City line. A lot of cheap (under $20) sets that can yield more than one design. This stimulates the creativity and flexibility of kid's mind. Executing instructions and building discipline develop fairly easily, as long as kid has some mental joy to imagine playing with finished toy. But taking the next step in combining blocks into 'own' design takes a leap. Once the kid can design, the special sets are just as well can be substituted with the buckets or mixes or blicks from the old sets. I see Lego (or similar blocks) primarily as imagination fulfilment toys, not much of finished product toys. Meant to be torn and morphed. Instructions are just an invitation!