DS is 4 in a few weeks. He has amassed a largeish Duplo collection over the last few years and has liked playing with them off and on. A few of his friends have started getting playmobil (he's not really aware of it though! - I just know from their mums), so was wondering whether to continue with the Duplo (bearing in mind that it says up to 5 on the boxes so only a year left of that 'officially'), and then go for lego next year. I have 2 younger DCs who will get to play with it so not wasted.
I loved lego as a child but never had playmobil so am immune to its charms at the moment. Have read great things about it here though! DS still needs help from me to assemble the 'sets' that he has, though is happy to build random things on his own. Am I right in thinking that playmobil will enable more imaginative play rather than building and assembly?
DS loves jigsaws and that type of toy. Does that give any indication as to which types of toy suit him best (apart from jigsaws obviously!). Have asked what he might like for his birthday, but don't want to say things like'Do you want more Duplo' as he will probably just say yes to whatever I say...and I want him to have a surprise. Also, if I go with one thing it makes it easier if relatives ask what he'd like and I can just point them say in the direction of playmobil.
Also, on a tangent, do those of you with more than one DC just pile these types of toys together or does each child keep their sets separate? DD is 2 in November and thought I might get her some Duplo. Would it result in massive arguments if I then added it to DSs hoard. Don't want to be sorting out disputes over who owns which brick!