Legos

• Many shapes can be made with a stack of Lego building blocks.Jupiterimages/Goodshoot/Getty Images
  
  Still one of the most popular construction toys in the world, Legos were created by Ole Kristiansen from Denmark in the 1930s. The word "lego" hails from the Danish words "LEg GOdt" (play well) and translated in Latin means "I put together."
  
  For many years, children have learned simple and complex construction with plastic Lego blocks and accessories. Buildings, bridges, animals and other shapes can be built with these snap together construction pieces.
  
  

Lincoln Logs

• Lincoln logs go together just the materials used by early American settlers.Hemera Technologies/AbleStock.com/Getty Images
  
  Lincoln Logs were the brainchild of John Lloyd Wright--son of famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright. In 1916, he created a line of miniature, wooden pieces for children to make small logs cabins (although they were actually inspired by the construction of a Japanese building).
  
  Children construct small cabin replicas from interlocking wooden logs. They learn to work out designs which include doorways, window openings and small porches with these inspiring construction sets.
  
  

Connectagons

• Connectagons are based on the concept of learning to work with freeform sculpture.Jupiterimages/Polka Dot/Getty Images
  
  Connectagons are a twist on the traditional construction toy. These toy sets have flat, interconnecting pieces that mate together. Children create freeform sculptures that can go in any direction--up, down or sideways.
  
  The toy encourages children to learn balancing techniques in addition to customary construction techniques. They experiment with different configurations and learn to build custom shapes without having structures fall over from their own weight.
  
  

Erector Sets

• Erector sets are made of metal parts and accessories.Hemera Technologies/PhotoObjects.net/Getty Images
  
  Erector sets are the creation of toy manufacturer A.C. Gilbert Erector in 1913. They are still being made today--although not by the original manufacturer.
  
  Distinctly different than other construction toys, Erector sets include small metal girders, gears and other accessories for children to screw and snap together to make working machinery replicas or shapes like robotic models. Many imaginative products can emerge when a child is presented with an Erector set.