LEGOs are high on my son’s Christmas List. He has gotten LEGOs every year from Santa … and when I ask him what he wants this year the answer is inevitably, “LEGOS!” Not only does he love the Duplos, he likes the traditional LEGOs, as well. He likes the DUPLO, he likes the traditional LEGO people. He liked building creatures, he likes the creatures that are pre-built and ready to play in his creations. He even likes themed sets, like Batman, Indiana Jones and Star Wars.

I love LEGOs too. My number one reason – they are not made in China. That always gives me some relief, after all those lead scares. Plus, I do feel like they are just better quality and made to last and be passed down.

The second reason I love LEGOs is that it encourages creativity and imaginative play. It also stimulates hand-eye coordination, sorting, self-direction, motor skills, cause and effect and problem solving. There is so much learning and exploring going on with these multi-colored bricks.

If you want to add LEGO to Santa’s Shopping List, there are two hot picks for this winter holiday. For the preschool crowd, you would want something from the LEGO DUPLO line, which features larger Lego Bricks and is usually for ages 2 and up. Both my boys play with these. The LEGO DUPLO Bus is sure to be a hit as your child recreates scenes they may see from driving around in their real-life car or walking around their own neighborhood. It comes with 14 oversized LEGO pieces to build a bus and bus stop. We have similar products at home and they are easy to build with large, chunky pieces. You will find that children as young as 2 can build the bus and bus stop to enjoy role playing with 3 different LEGO figures and suitcases. The bus actually rolls as well. (Age 2+; SRP $24.99)

If you have older kids and want a bit of nostalgia for yourself, there is a new toy from the LEGO Group that combines open-ended LEGO building with a linked web site (www.LEGOFamilyTime.com)  that offers a wide variety of inspiration and tips to turn a pile of bricks into anything you can imagine. With enough of these you can probably build one of those giant creations you see in front of the LEGO store in Orlando! It’s called the LEGO Builders of Tomorrow set.

The LEGO Builders of Tomorrow set is a versatile collection of basic LEGO bricks in a variety of colors and sizes can be used for family building fun all year long . Lego Family Time (you’ll want to bookmark that site) offers free building instructions every month.  There are even seasonal models that you can build, like Frankenstein and his bride for October and a Turkey and Ship for November. The website also features building tips from LEGO Master Builders, inspiration for games and activities incorporating LEGO bricks and much more. My oldest and I have been playing with traditional LEGOs for a year. I can show him the website and let him choose what he wants to build. In fact, you can see one of our creations on this post! I was doing the Turkey, but my oldest wanted a duck. What do you think? And what can YOU create? (Age 4+; SRP $29.99)

And what is Santa bringing to our house from LEGO? The BIG CITY ZOO will be the BIG GIFT this year. It comes with 12 different animals and enough LEGO DUPLOS to build an entrance, fence and more. It looks bright, colorful and the stories my kids will come up with will be quite entertaining, I’m sure!

Is a Lego Set coming to your house this holiday season? Which one do you have your eye on?

SHOPPING LIST FAVORITES:

For Toddlers: LEGO DUPLO Bus (Age 2+; SRP $24.99)

For Kids: LEGO Builders of Tomorrow set (Age 4+; SRP $29.99)

Big Gift Idea – Toddlers: Big City Zoo (Age 2+; SRP $89.99)

Big Gift Idea – Kids: Winter Toy Shop (Age 12+; SRP $59.99)

Enter the Mom Buzz Contest

One Buzz reader will win the LEGO Builders of Tomorrow set.

MANDATORY ENTRY:

Visit the official Lego site and tell me what is your favorite Lego item?

EXTRA ENTRIES:
To receive these extra opportunities for entries, you must fulfill the first REQUIRED entry. But for extra entries, you can:

• Add the Mom Buzz to your Twitter and Tweet the contest. Leave your Tweet Link!
• Blog about the contest – add a link to the Mom Buzz and the Sponsor
• Subscribe to the Mom Buzz via e-mail. (See RSS fox on right sidebar)
• Add the Mom Buzz button to your site OR add the Mom Buzz to your blog roll (use http://themombuzz.com/feed/).
• Enter any other Mom Buzz Contest.
• Enter any Hoo-Hoo-Holiday Contest at As They Grow Up

Contest ends 11/27/09. Please refer to complete contest rules. The entries listed above are the ONLY entries for this contest. This contest is open to the USA and Canada. Winners will be notified by e-mail (if supplied in the entry), as well as on the Winner’s Wall. The Mom Buzz received a Lego Builders of Tomorrow Set for review.