Every year, the Danish company Lego introduces new Lego sets, often based on popular movies or characters.  Construction toys have always been a favourite amongst children, when Lego was first made it was generally considered a boys toy but now to new designs it’s a toy both girls and boys can play with together. The basic concept of Lego haven’t changed the brightly coloured interlocking blocking pieces are there, now there are so many speciality pieces to play with!

So far this year, there have been several very hot new Lego sets releases.  From the Lego Exclusives product line comes the 10219 Maersk Train set.  This highly detailed and realistic model building set contains a whopping 1,234 pieces, including 3 mini figure workmen! You can even motorize the finished 36 inch long train by adding the optional motor and battery pack.

The most recent of the new Lego sets was the introduction of the 10220 Volkswagen T1 Camper Van model, again from the Lego Exclusives product line.  Launched in the middle of August, this model contains 1,322 pieces – including the whimsical touch of a miniature t-shirt emblazoned with “Make LEGO Models, Not War”.

Also announced earlier this year are the full ranges of new Lego sets based on the Disney movie, Pirates of the Caribbean, as well as the earlier films series. Lego has had pirate themed building sets before. However this is their first licensed pirate line up. New Lego sets in this line so far have included Blackbeard the Pirate's Ship and the Lighthouse in Whitecap Bay –(the  two favourite scenes in the movie). More films including Star Wars, Toy Story, Indiana Jones and SpongeBob Squarepants have been turned into Lego sets. There’s something for every child.

If your child is a little bit too young for Lego don’t fret as there are Duplo block sets, the pieces are much larger than the Lego and are specifically designed for pre-school children.

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Do you remember how much fun you had playing with the LEGO blocks when you were a kid? Those blocks are just as much fun today; they have been updated to reflect the interests of the modern child.

Take LEGO’s Alien Conquest and Ninjago lines: with the alien conquest sets you can get different sets for kids to build alien characters and alien worlds. One of the favourites is the Space Tripod Invader set. This is a 166-piece set which has the Invader and it comes with an alien, a mini green alien pet and a human. The tripod Invader has a cockpit that swings open so kids can put the alien or the human inside. The alien can give chase in its saucer. For kids who love outer space and all things alien this set is a must have.

They would also like the Space UFO Abduction set, which comes with the Alien Defense soldier, where the aliens are after the farmer to abduct him and get him aboard their spacecraft. The set is 211 pieces and has an illuminating tractor beam and a flicker missile. This set, like the Invader one is on the hot toys list for 2011.

When it comes to the alien line in LEGO blocks, the set to round off the collection is the Space Alien Mothership; it’s one of the coolest sets you can get for your child. It has 416 pieces and plays the sounds only a UFO would make. The set has an alien commander determined to wreak havoc and a civilian reporter who’s determined to expose the truth about these invaders but can he avoid getting caught by the mothership?

LEGO also has a Ninjago line that’s popular with kids and also made the hot toy list. The Ninjago Ice Dragon attack is one of the ones that many kids have popped on their Christmas list this year. This set fulfils the quest to get the Shurikens of Ice through the dangerous Underworld. The Skeleton Army of course are determined that evil will triumph over good, as they chase the heroic Zane through the Underworld.

The Ninjago weapons must be found in order to restore good, the heroes of the Ninjago line are just the ones to bring about the order. This 158 piece set includes the Ice Dragon, Shurikens of Ice, Zane and Krazi, one of the Skeleton Army determined to stop Zane.

The LEGO’s Ninjago line also includes the Ninjago Fire Temple. Legend has it that the fight for the Dragon Sword of Fire has its origins in the temple. For good to win, the Fire Dragon has to be set free and the only way for this to happen is by tearing the temple in half. The dragon allows the ninjas to take to the skies in the ultimate duel between good and evil. The graphics on this set are artistically painted on and the set comes with over a thousand pieces for play. Your child will love building his world of LEGO battles and ready for the ultimate victory when showdown time arrives.

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Lego Star Wars continues to appear on the best sellers list and, with the release of new models over the course of 2011, this doesn't look likely to change. Lego always sells well during the holiday shopping season but in times of economic stress they seem to be selling even better; this may be because parents see real value in Lego as kids will play with any Lego for hours.

Lego is an educational toy as it helps to inspire creativity and imagination. It may be a bit of a pain to store: many Moms who vacuum up pieces of it will tell you! This is easily cured by buying some clear storage boxes.

So what Lego sets are hot this year? At the New York toy fair, Lego announced the release of yet another Lego Star Wars Millennium Falcon. In case you didn't know this is Hans Solo ship from the original Lego series. The Ewok Attack and Republic Frigate also appear. Anakin and Sebulba's pod racer will be a hit, as will the Sith Nightspeeder and Infiltrator. If your little one likes the bounty hunters, the Bounty Hunter gunship, which is complete with four mini figures, would be the perfect present. The Battle of Naboo and Clone Trooper battle pack are also going to be popular.

The Lego Star Wars Death Star from the original movie series is still one of the most popular items on Amazon.com. It is hard to believe that the movie is over thirty years old. The pack contains 6 mini figures and has been widely praised for being very authentic and true to the movie model. You need plenty of patience as this set takes about three days on average to make, although some die hard Lego fans worked a straight nine hours to complete it!

If you already own the Death Star or simply want something a little cheaper, have a look at the Millennium Falcons currently available. The Midi Scale Millennium Falcon (7778) is popular as is the 3.75'' New Millennium Falcon. If your child prefers the later versions of Star Wars the Naboo N-1 Star fighter with Vulture Droid is one to look at.

Star Wars Clone Wars sets are also very popular and are on sale from as little as $12 each. These sets feature new characters such as the padawan Ahsoka and the Clone Wars Obi Wan, Mace Windu and Count Dooku. Of course, you cannot forget to buy the Clone troopers either which are sold in packs or individually.

While Lego can seem expensive, when you think that the sets last for years and can be passed down from father to son, they are actually very reasonably priced. The build quality is excellent and most parents would prefer their kids spend hours working on a Lego set than sitting in front of a DS or Playstation.

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