Who doesn’t love LEGO? A significant part of just about everybody’s childhood, the iconic building blocks continue to thrill kids (and adults) of all ages.
And with awesome shows like LEGO Masters taking over the small screen, the popularity of the simple brick continues to skyrocket.
But what is it about LEGO? How does it continue to capture the imagination and creativity of young and old, from one generation to the next?
Angie Tutt, Senior Director, Head of Marketing at LEGO Australia says the brands popularity comes back to its ability to appeal to just about everyone.
“The LEGO brick has enduring appeal,” she told news.com.au. “It transcends language, culture, age and interests to provide creative building experiences for people around the world, however, they choose to build and play.”
With hundreds of LEGO products launched every year and different sets available for different ages and interests (from Duplo designed for little ones and LEGO TECHNIC for adults), it can be difficult to choose the bricks for you or your loved ones.
To help you get started, reignite a forgotten interest, or simply continue the passion, we’ve examined all the LEGO available today and read countless online reviews to identify the most popular sets on the market. So sit back, relax and get ready to play – because, as Tutt says, “it’s never too early (or late) to get building.”
SHOP BY CATEGORY
- Best LEGO City set
- Best LEGO Friends set
- Best-themed LEGO set
- Best classic LEGO set
- Best LEGO DUPLO set
- Best LEGO set for adults
BEST LEGO CITY SET
LEGO City Express Passenger Train Set, $149 (down from $249.99) at Amazon
We find LEGO City sets always run out the door, not just at Christmas, but all year round. Hugely popular, they depict scenes from everyday life, encouraging kids to learn about the world around them, engage in imaginative play and develop lifelong social and problem-solving skills. There are so many to choose from, however, the Express Passenger Train continues to draw particular attention. Great for kids over seven – and anyone who is train-obsessed, this set includes a locomotive with a restaurant car and passenger coach, plus a station platform and six minifigures. Best of all, you can control it with the remote or a smart device. Just to let you know, the length of the track is limited and many reviewers suggest buying extra tracks.
One happy purchaser left a review saying: “I recently bought this toy train set for my 9-year-old son and he absolutely loves it. The set up was surprisingly easy and the lightning effects look great. He is already begging me to buy more track so he can build a larger system. The iPad app that allows you to control the trains also makes this set a lot of fun. Highly recommended!”
LEGO City Mobile Crane, $69.99 at LEGO
With an impressive 4.8 out of five stars on Amazon, this LEGO City Mobile Crane set is another winner. Great for anyone who loves cars and vehicles from the age of seven years, this set is just like the real thing. You get a multifunctional mobile crane, plus a road plate to lift (and connect to other sets). While the two minifigures do all the work, you can still be part of the team by lowering the support legs, rotating and extending the boom and raising and lowering the winch. A highly satisfying set, both to construct and put into action afterwards.
One purchaser left the review, “We bought this for our 5-year-old grandson and we were hugely impressed both by the incredibly comprehensive instruction booklet which carefully took him through every step and by his enthusiasm for sticking with it. I’ve given it 5 stars for being “easy to assemble” but in some ways this is misleading. It wasn’t at all easy, but it was easy enough for him to manage, with application, and to give him a great sense of achievement.”
LEGO City Police Station, $69 (down from $99) at Amazon
This three-level police station is a super fun set from the LEGO City range with lots of interesting details for kids aged six years and on. It comes with five minifigures, a patrol vehicle, a helicopter, a bin lorry and a dog, plus a heap of accessories to add to the overall sense of creative play.
It has attracted stacks of positive reviews with one purchaser saying, “I got this product for my son and he absolutely loved putting it together. It gave us an activity to do together and instructions were very easy to follow.” Another one said, “This is AMAZING! I bought this for my nephew and he loved it, easy to build and very helpful instructions! There is so much detail within the Lego set and you can make your own problems and solve them! So fun! 10/10!”
LEGO City Hospital, $110 (down from $159.99) at Amazon
Another great building set to encourage kids to learn about the world around them is the LEGO City Hospital. Geared for kids aged seven and up, this set is designed for educational and creative play with everything you need to create a multi-room hospital, including an ambulance, rescue helicopter and 12 minifigures.
One parent bought this for their 10-year-old son and it was a huge success. “He’d been wanting this a while and was super excited to get it,” they commented. “He loved building it, took a few hours doing all the different bits and he also loves playing with it, was impatient to get it built so he could play and make up stories with the characters.”
BEST LEGO FRIENDS SETS
LEGO Friends Olivia’s Space Academy, $95.99 (down from $119.99) at Myer
For fans of both space travel and the very contemporary LEGO Friends range, this awesome building set is a popular choice. Suitable for eight years onwards, it features authentic details including a space shuttle model, academy building and telescope. And of course, four LEGO friends to help create all sorts of adventures in outer space.
There are heaps of positive reviews on Google, one of which says, “Fantastic LEGO set. My daughter got this for Christmas, she’s really interested in space and was delighted when she opened it on Christmas morning. Took her most of the day to complete it with a little help from her dad. Excellent LEGO set, very well made.”
LEGO Friends Emma’s Art School, $87.99 (down from $109) at Myer
This popular set from LEGO Friends delves into the art of ceramics, fashion and 3D printing with lots of cool details and functioning parts. Perfect for kids aged 8 to 12 years, particularly those with a little creative flair.
One reviewer said, “My 11yo granddaughter was so excited to receive this as a Christmas present, she went home and started on it at 11.30pm. I’m delighted to get such a great reaction to a gift.”
LEGO Friends Andrea’s Theatre School, $134.99 (down from $179.99) at Amazon
Another set on the creative side, this one involving the performing arts. Andrea has won a place at a famous theatre school and we go behind the scenes to see her rehearsing then finally going onstage to perform. However with so many props on hand, your budding actor can create their own scenes – the options are endless.
This set has scored a massive five out of five stars on Google reviews. One grandparent described it as “the perfect ‘doing thing’ toy”, and left the comments, “Wow! This Lego has so much going on. My six-year-old granddaughter opened gift and immediately started building, despite being surrounded by other gifts. It lends itself to so much imaginative play and has just the right level of challenge to build. And it’s attractive! It will provide joy for a long time. I can’t say enough good things about this Lego. It is a winner!!!”
BEST-THEMED LEGO SETS
LEGO Harry Potter Hogwarts Castle, $556.49 (down from $699.99) at Amazon
When it comes to themed LEGO, it doesn’t better than Harry Potter – and when it comes to Harry Potter LEGO, it doesn’t get better than creating the Hogwarts castle itself. This amazing set provides hours of entertainment, both in its construction and the imaginative play that follows. And judging from its many rave reviews, it appeals to adults and kids alike. One happy customer was in their 60s, while another bought it for their grandchild. One even bought it for his wife, posting the comment: “Bought this for my wife’s birthday massive Harry Potter fan, she loved it, very detailed and a great build, she spent ages building it and is really happy with it”. So definitely one for all the family. It does, however, come with an expensive price tag but as another reviewer noted, it’s “worth it if you’re a LEGO and a Harry Potter fan.”
LEGO Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire Hogwarts Clock Tower, $134 at Amazon
This building set of the Hogwarts Clock Tower is another popular member of the Harry Potter LEGO family, with an impressive 4.8 out of five stars on Amazon from nearly 8,000 online reviews. Ideal for wizard-obsessed kids from eight years onwards, this set includes eight mini figures and a range of locations such as the Yule Ball, Dumbledore’s office, and even a Defence Against the Darks Arts lesson. Re-create so many iconic Harry Potter scenes or make up your own – the possibilities are endless in the wizarding world.
One purchaser left the comment: “I bought this for my grandson’s eighth birthday. He is a big Harry Potter fan – he absolutely loves it and started assembling this without any help – the diagrams/plans included with the set are so easy to follow.”
LEGO Star Wars Episode IX – Resistance Y-Wing Starfighter, $206 (down from $219.20) at Amazon
Star Wars LEGO sets are always a favourite for kids, teens, adults … well anyone who’s into LEGO and Star Wars – and there are a lot of them out there! This Resistance Y-Wing Starfighter has attracted 4.9 out of five stars from over 6,000 online reviews. Recommended for eight years and beyond, this set includes five LEGO mini figures and features an opening co*ckpit, folding landing gear, two spring-loaded shooters and top-loaded bombs with a trigger-activated release. Perfect for re-creating fave movie scenes from Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker – or any other scene you care to dream up.
“My son is a huge LEGO fan and this has been one of his favourite building sets so far,” commented one online customer. “It took him several hours to complete but he was able to complete everything independently. He loves the figurines included and the features of this starfighter have kept him entertained as he has placed with this set. I also thought the number of pieces for the value was pretty reasonable compared to other LEGO sets.”
LEGO Central Perk Building Kit, $89.99 at Amazon
After watching Friends the first time around, I’m thrilled my daughter is now obsessed with the series and this LEGO set, celebrating its 25th anniversary, is ideal. For those, (like anyone at our house) who know each and every scene that takes place at Central Perk, this LEGO building set is a must-buy – and with 4.9 out of five stars from nearly 15,000 reviews, it has proved extremely popular. It comes with mini figures of all six Friends, plus Gunther and a host of accessories to recreate any number of famous scenarios (“We were on a break!).
It’s recommended for 16 years and up, however, it will appeal to some younger kids, especially as part of a family project. One reviewer commented: “The quality is great, there’s lots of detail which is great. Bought for my ten-year-old, who normally struggles to build Lego sets, but she did this completely independently without any issues. It took her all day but she said it was easy. Which is weird for a 16+ age LEGO set.”
BEST CLASSIC LEGO SET
LEGO Classic Medium Creative Brick Box, $33 (down from $49.99) at Amazon
Sometimes, there’s nothing better than simply opening a bucket of classic LEGO bricks and seeing what you can make. No theme, no set build, just a pile of LEGO and your imagination. This box has been widely reviewed (by over 25,000 users!) and has an amazing 4.7 out of five stars as a result.
One parent commented: “This set gets played with every day and my five-year-old son comes up with the most amazing creations out of it”, while another said, “Great set to start out with LEGO with lots of things to build. Kids loved it.”
LEGO Classic Bricks and Houses, $28 at Harvey Norman
Here’s another popular set of classic bricks, but with a slight difference. This one is a starter kit for constructing houses, either by following the set models or creating your own dream home. An excellent foray into the world of LEGO building for kids aged four years and up. And one that has been given 4.7 out of five stars from nearly 3,000 online reviewers at Amazon. One said: “Well described and great gift idea that gives hours of fun and embraces creativity”, while another commented, “Lego is always great. Good set with nice instructions to build.”
BEST DUPLO SET
LEGO DUPLO Classic Deluxe Brick Box, $63.99 (down from $79.99) at Myer
LEGO DUPLO is ideal for toddlers embarking on their first LEGO building journey. Great for developing social skills, fine motor skills, language skills and imaginative play, DUPLO continues to excite little ones and offer hours of entertainment. (We still have our box of DUPLO as my now-older kids can’t bear to pass it on). This classic set is a great starting point, with a variety of brightly coloured bricks and pieces to inspire and delight, including a car, windows, flowers, balloons, gifts and a cake, plus numbered bricks for counting practice.
One reviewer commented: “Great educational toy for my 15-month-old granddaughter who has been recovering from a major surgery. She loves all the colours and different blocks.”
LEGO DUPLO Wild Animals of the World, $179 at Big W
This set takes your little one on an animal tour of the world, visiting seven continents and meeting no less than 22 different animals in their natural surroundings. The perfect way to engage your toddler in play and fun learning.
One parent said: “Bought this for my child’s second birthday. She absolutely loves it. If she’s not building, she’s carrying the animals everywhere. Was very excited to see these animal sets.”
BEST LEGO FOR ADULTS
LEGO Technic Bugatti Chiron, $599 at Amazon
LEGO Technic has long enticed the more grown-up LEGO builders and this Bugatti Chiron has attracted a rating of 4.8 stars from more than 5,600 reviews. You get to build a beautiful replica Bugatti Chiron with parts that move, open, shut and look just like the real thing. An engineering extravaganza that will never fail to challenge and satisfy.
One recent customer left an online comment, saying: “Really enjoyed the build process and love the finished product. You build it in two halves and then join it together just like they build the real Chiron.”
Meanwhile, another happy LEGO builder said: “I really enjoyed putting this together. I either find myself constructing a section and being proud that I know what it is or, I have no idea what it is until I turn it over and place it on the build. That just makes me appreciate the genius of the Lego designers. Either way, I enjoy it.”
LEGO Icons Flower Bouquet, $89 at Big W
For something completely different, this is a beautiful and relaxing LEGO set that results in a beautiful bunch of flowers that never wilts and makes a charming decorative piece. And has proved extremely popular with a wide range of grown-up LEGO enthusiasts.
“This was my first LEGO set and it started my LEGO addiction,” said one online customer. “It was super fun to build and such a beautiful decor. Nice to build and then see it every day.”
CAN LEGO AID A CHILD’S DEVELOPMENT?
The team at LEGO understands that creative play is enormously important for developing lifelong skills and strives to engage all kids in great LEGO play. “So, key to our success is to continuously innovate the play experience so that LEGO play continues to be relevant to children all over the world,” says Tutt. “We launch hundreds of new products each year to ensure we have an offer for every child irrespective of age, interest or gender.”
CAN ADULTS ENJOY LEGO TOO?
Of course, LEGO is not just for kids. Far from it. “Play is important for everyone, not just children, to unlock creativity and inspiration,” says Tutt. “We have LEGO sets for every age, from LEGO DUPLO for toddlers, LEGO FRIENDS for kids and LEGO TECHNIC for adults, so you can really play your way.”
In fact adults make up a massive part of the LEGO community. “The support, endless creativity and engagement of our adult fans has helped make the LEGO brand what it is today,” says Tutt. “Some of the most successful sets to date have been designed and shared on LEGO Ideas by our adult fans.”
Make sure you’re getting the best deals on your purchases by visiting news.com.au Coupons. There you’ll find discount codes for the biggest names in the country, including Bonds, General Pants and Cotton On.
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Susannah HardyBest Of Parenting Shopping Writer
Susannah Hardy is Kidspot’s Shopping Writer and loves nothing more than finding great deals to help make life easier for parents. Susannah has written extensively on all things parenting for publications such as Practical Parenting, Babyology and Tell Me Baby and has worked for Finder, reporting on best buys for families. Susannah is a busy mum of two fast-growing girls, and uses her work at Kidspot in her daily life.
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