The Danish Lego brand offers plenty to fire up the imagination of children of all ages. Kits like Propeller Adventures and Blue Roadster introduce older children to the trickier task of building vehicles with engines, propellers, landing gear and interiors. The bigger building bricks of the Duplo range, which includes Photo Safari and Animal Clinic sets, are designed for two to five-year-olds. Prices vary, Toys 'R' Us, shop G01, G/F Olympian City 3, tel: 2884 3268

The pin thing

Austrian company Matador has been making construction kit toys for more than 100 years based on the simple concept of using a hammer and pins to hold wooden blocks together. Matador Klassik kits are for children aged five years and older and offer limitless possibilities that encourage 3-D thinking and a logical sense of order. The range includes the Ki#4, which consists of 245 parts that can be made into planes, trucks, cranes and more. A more basic kit for three- to five-year-olds is also available. HK$1,500 at Dymocks, 7 Man Nin St, Sai Kung, New Territories, tel: 2791 9110

Dye another day

Made from wood and painted with vegetable-based dyes, the Friends Fantasy Cubes Blocks from Italian brand Sevi should catch the attention of preschoolers. The blocks are painted in primary colours and come in simple shapes and sizes that can be stacked and balanced, making them a good starting point to nurture building skills. HK$118 at Montessori Time, Flat I, 3/F Chin Fat Factory Building, 3 Tsat Po St, San Po Kong (by appointment only) or at montessoritime.com.hk, tel: 9466 5422