Playplax was invented by art student Patrick Rylands in 1966 and became a bestselling toy. It's basically interlocking plastic squares that children can turn into anything they like; also, it's beautiful to look at (actually it's the kind of toy you'd find featured on
Unhappy Hipsters, but don't let that put you off. It's also in the permanent collection at the V&A).
I came across it a few years ago via my daughter's Reception teacher, who had a cherished ancient set that the children used to fight over to play with - it was by then long out of production and you could only find it on eBay for £££££. But now Portobello Games, who also make the brilliant
Snatch, have bought the game, found the original factory that made it in Cheshire, and, tadaa and hooray,
it's available again for £15.99 from here. BRILLIANT toy for small-to-medium children, I couldn't recommend it more strongly.