What is the best educational toy that you have bought/come across?

[lisalisa]

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Lego. No question.

pens, paper, books, paint/craft stuff, and building blocks/lego/stickle bricks.

Alamel - ELC do a good box of bricks - saw it in the window today!

for little uns upwards recommend the bricks from ELC dd got some for her 1st birthday recently and loves them, as does big brother, who mixes them with his castle wooden bricks! Lego never goes amiss with big brother, as can constantly mix and change it! ELC wooden puzzles also a big hit with DD, also Jigsaws and shape sorters. Puppets also good with both kids (finger and handsize).

Just been sat with dd (2y 7m) this morning looking for ages at her globe, pointing places out and the different animals, etc. shown on it. She loves it and always wants to know where the places we have been are, or where faimily/friends live/work.

Simple things for babies - the more "active" the toy, the more "passive" the baby becomes...

can anyone suggest any family board games for a 3-4 year old as a christmas present

bump ... also interested in advice for a good board game for 4.5 - 5 year old please.

Pop up pirate isn't a board game, but went down well in our house for a 4 year old....who also really like ludo when he was 5! (I think they do a caged one where the dice can't escape now, see Argos catalogue.

Thanks Frizbe, off to check out the argos catalogue.

My 5 yr old (& sisters 7 & 3) like junior monopoly - it is a good adaption of the game for children. Also all love UNO (card game -very cheap). Better with 3 or more players. Very good for taking on hols.
Bigger things - happy street (roads not tracks) & brio for younger ones. Lego & Knex for older ones. Colouring/gluing/glitter/sellotape/makings things is also a favourite - dp brings home loads of scrap paper.