This Lego Plate

Advertisement

For nearly 80 years, the world-renowned LEGO franchise has thrilled, inspired and fostered the imagination of both children and parents. Two members of the Christiansen family, Godtfried (son) and Ole Kirk (father) invented LEGO's, after a few years of trial and error, in a small village in Billund, Denmark, in 1934. They had no idea how popular their "then" wooden toys, and eventually their LEGO plates would become.

In fact, the LEGO brand is now the fifth largest toy company the world over. LEGO's greatest honor; however, was being named Fortune magazine's highly-coveted "Toy of the Century," outdueling such worthy competition as Play-doh, Cabbage Patch Kids and Beanie Babies.

You cannot speak of LEGO's superiority without mentioning its plates. Next to the LEGO bricks, the LEGO plates are one of the most recognizable hallmarks of the LEGO line.

Selecting the perfect LEGO plate for your child's enjoyment is not difficult but will require some thought because of the large number of plates to choose from. Be sure to match the plate with the gifts of your particular child. Three characteristics that you may want to consider are the following:

1. Your child's age

2. Your child's creativity level

3. Your particular plate's features

The recommended minimum age for each plate is critically crucial. LEGOs and their plates are not suggested for any child less than 18 months of age. Please read and heed the manufacturer's recommended ages for each plate.

A few LEGO plates to contemplate purchasing include the following:

• Step 2 LEGO DUPLO plate

One of the very first LEGO plates to consider (at 18 months of age) is the Step 2 LEGO DUPLO plate. As stated in the name, this plate can be used with both LEGO and LEGO DUPLO bricks. LEGO DUPLO bricks are larger bricks for smaller hands; however, your child can use the LEGO and DUPLO bricks together.

NOTE: Although this plate has a minimum age of 18 months, LEGO bricks and other accessories normally have a minimum suggested age of 3 years and up. Please don't forget to take this into account.

Another feature of this plate is that it has building plates with studs mounted to it. These studs allow your child to affix the LEGO or DUPLO bricks directly to the building plates. These plates are composed of Acrylonitrile Butadine Styrene (ABS), which is a strong plastic material also used in car parts and home construction. ABS was introduced to the LEGO line in 1963. This nearly indestructible, sterile and non-toxic material keeps the bright colors your child loves from fading.

• LEGO Compatible Preschool Play Plate

This plate, made to last with a durable and finely polished oak wood, has a minimum recommended age of 3 years old. This plate has 4 building plates built into it as with the Step 2 LEGO DUPLO plate above.

In addition, this plate also has a convenient storage capability located in the center of the plate. Your child, when finished playing, can simply push the bricks and other items through the centered hole and into a mesh net for extremely easy cleanup. Easy for your child means easy for you!

• KidKraft Lego Compatible 2 in 1 Activity Plate

This very popular and versatile plate, which has a minimum recommended age of 3 years old, has many features that your child will enjoy.

The plate top is reversible, so your child can play connect the bricks to the studs on one side of the plate or flip the plate over and play with the trains on the smooth side.

Yes, this plate also comes complete with a 30 piece train set and 200 LEGO compatible bricks. This KidKraft plate is a one-stop shopping excursion for a busy parent!.

Click Here to Buy This

Summary

While the huge number and variety of LEGO plates may make it seem impossible to make a decision, using your child's age, your child's creativity level and the particular features of the plate will ensure you make the correct choice. Good luck!

Picture: Lego plate

Click Here to Buy This

Article Source