My eldest daughter was bought a set of these for her 1st birthday. Ten years on my 2 year-old son loves them just as much as his 2 sisters. They grow with the child's imagination from nice sized things to hold, bash & squeak, through shape and pattern matching, to ingredients in play kitchens. Eggs-cellent toy.
Children love them - the set I have has been played with by children / grandchildren for over 20 years
Long lasting the only casualty a 'top' I stood on the other day!
Improved, much more colourful.
Versatile- older children use them for play cooking / role play
Stimulating
I think it is one of the most played with toys, doesn't require batteries, and is not a five minute craze