Classic toys stay popular; many are collectible

'Retro-style toys for the under-tween crowd are on the upswing,' says Adrienne Appell of the Toy Industry Association. Kids may see the un-wired stuff as novel; parents appreciate having some balance in the toy basket.Here's a look at some of the new offerings, and also which toys are worth hanging onto after kids outgrow them.

WHAT'S NEW

Building sets _ including Lego _ are hotter than ever, according to consumer market research firm NPD Group. The category grew nearly 20 percent in 2012, the group said.

Lego's booth at the February fair included new entries in the Lego City and Lego Friends categories, the new Galaxy Squad space fantasy sets, and the DUPLO Read and Build sets, among others.K'Nex representatives were writing orders for glow-in-the-dark rollercoasters, and construction sets based on Angry Birds, Pac-Man and Super Mario. The manufacturer's Robo Battlers allow kids to make smaller figures and stick them together to make a more elaborate creation.

And Tinkertoys are turning 100 this year, now rendered in durable high-density plastic. The colorful components include perennial favorites like rods, spools and washers, as well as some new bendable pieces.

British-based Le Toy Van offered high-end, high-quality, creative-play toys: sustainably produced rubberwood and engineered-wood dollhouses, pirate ships and

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