I wish my kids were more into free play. When their sets inevitably get broken and end up in the communal box, that's usually the last time they play with it. I should stop buying them more sets, but as an avid collector myself I enjoy getting sets as much for my own enjoyment.
For them I think Minecraft scratches much that creative itch that Lego used to bring me.
Bingo. I think this comment nails it.
Minecraft is the digital lego for alot of kids these days.
My youngest daughter is 9 with autism, and she is always talking about minecraft.
She just absolutely loves it to death.
Necessity is the mother of invention. I played with legos a lot to try and build a toy I didn't get. When I didn't get a Megazord action figure one year for Christmas, I tried the best I could to build something like it out of legos.
For them I think Minecraft scratches much that creative itch that Lego used to bring me.