I bought a case of 40 wooden blocks for my granddaughters. They're a versatile toy that doesn't impose tramlines on their play.
I haven't bought them many toys; I don't want to buy them tramline toys. The local toyshop is Hamley's; I couldn't see anything in that store that wasn't both a tramline toy, and entirely made of non-recyclable plastic. I had to import the wooden blocks.
When I was a kid, I got a lot of mileage out of Meccano. Even into early adulthood, I was still using Meccano to botch together some project or other. I suppose Lego is the modern alternative; but (a) it's all plastic; and (b) modern Lego is all tramlines kits.
I meant something like a script, where the toy or game tells you what you're supposed to do with it (because e.g. the blocks only make sense as parts of an X-Wing Fighter). Anyway, it's my term; I don't know if anyone else uses it. I thought it was clear; sorry.
well, i almost guessed that you meant something like that. and you are right. it's not quite as extreme yet, but it does tend into that direction, so you have to be careful which sets you buy.
fortunately, it's not just lego anymore. there are a lot of alternative brands that offer a wide variety of sets which offer a lot more flexibility.
I haven't bought them many toys; I don't want to buy them tramline toys. The local toyshop is Hamley's; I couldn't see anything in that store that wasn't both a tramline toy, and entirely made of non-recyclable plastic. I had to import the wooden blocks.
When I was a kid, I got a lot of mileage out of Meccano. Even into early adulthood, I was still using Meccano to botch together some project or other. I suppose Lego is the modern alternative; but (a) it's all plastic; and (b) modern Lego is all tramlines kits.