Hmmm...better than LEGOs...
For the last year, I'd say that pattern blocks have been better than LEGOs. I suspect LEGOs will have a longer shelf life, since older kids keep using them, and I'm not sure pattern blocks will hold their attention.
LEGOs don't make Transformers as easily as pattern blocks do, so even the 4yo has been making easy-to-recognize Transformers out of them. I can often even ID which Transformer he's made. Not so with LEGOs.
So yes, for this year, I think I'd have to say that pattern blocks were the winner. They certainly got more playing time than LEGOs at our house. And I could use them for math lessons, too. Very useful!
