These days, LEGO is for all ages. But not so long ago, it was exclusively targeted at kids. The AFOLs (Adult Fans of LEGO) always existed, but sets targeted at them are a fairly recent phenomenon.
This overlap in audience can be overwhelming for parents who are trying to buy LEGO sets for their kids. It used to be, for example, that the age on the box indicated building ability; the higher the age range, the more complex the build was. But these days, the 18+ age range can mean multiple things. It could mean that the build is simple. But it can also mean that thematically, the set is catered to adult interests.
It can also mean that the set is for display rather than play. Many of the adult builds do not stand up to the rigorous play of an eight-year-old, and many of the kid builds are designed more for play convenience and accessibility than to look 100% realistic.
In that spirit, here are the best LEGO sets for kids in 2024—the sets designed with youthful play and pretend in mind.
Retro Camera
- Set: #31147
- Age Range: 8+
- Piece Count: 261
- Dimensions: 2.5 in. (7 cm) high, 5 in. (13 cm) wide and 3 in. (8 cm) deep
- Price: $19.99
It can also be a video camera or a retro television. But most kids will elect to build the camera, which has a movable lens and buttons along with a strap. It even opens in the back so that you can load the film. That a LEGO set looks this good, for such a low price and piece count, is rare.
Medium Creative Brick Box
- Set: #10696
- Age Range: 4+
- Piece Count: 484
- Dimensions: N/A
- Price: $34.99
This is how most of us start our LEGO journeys—with a pile of spare parts that we craft into whatever we dream up. The Medium Creative Brick Box is an excellent gateway for a person who is completely new to LEGO. The Box has a good mixture of every major piece type and color, and it gives you some preliminary, simple builds to teach basic technique.
Farmers Market
- Set: #60345
- Age Range: 5+
- Piece Count: 310
- Dimensions: 4 in. (10 cm) high, 10 in. (25 cm) long, 6.5 in. (17 cm) wide
- Price: $44.99
The farm is a classic theme in the LEGO franchise, and this Farmers Market comes with a food kiosk truck, complete with a massive carrot on its roof. There are crops that your minifigures can garden, and there's even a hungry rabbit for them to chase away.
Fantasy Forest Creatures
- Set: #31125
- Age Range: 7+
- Piece Count: 175
- Dimensions: 4 in. (10 cm) high
- Price: $14.99
This set is part of the LEGO Creator line, and it's a "3 in 1" set. That means you can build this set as a squirrel; or an owl and a hedgehog; or a deer and a rabbit. The 3-in-1 concept guarantees hours of building and is extremely cost efficient, especially for a retail price of $14.99.
Burger Truck
- Set: #60404
- Age Range: 5+
- Piece Count: 194
- Dimensions: 4 in. (10 cm) high, 5 in. (12 cm) long and 2.5 in. (7 cm) wide
- Price: $19.99
Good things come in small packages. This build is less than 200 pieces, but it's incredibly colorful and expressive, looking every bit like a hipster food truck ought to. You can also detach the stand from the truck and incorporate the build into your LEGO city, should you wish.
Heartlake City Hospital
- Set: #42621
- Age Range: 7+
- Piece Count: 1045
- Dimensions: 9.5 in. (25 cm) high, 14 in. (35 cm) wide, 7 in. (18 cm) deep
- Price: $109.99
The LEGO Friends Heartlake City Hospital has gone through several iterations. This latest one comes with a maternity ward, an elevator, an X-Ray room, and a helicopter, for those transport emergencies when a LEGO Mini-doll's life is on the line.
Majestic Tiger
- Set: #31129
- Age Range: 9+
- Piece Count: 755
- Dimensions: 5 in. (14 cm) high, 12 in. (33 cm) long, 2 in. (7 cm) wide
- Price: $49.99
It's another 3-in-1 set! You could build a koi fish or a red panda. But most builders will opt for the tiger, which is sleek, realistic looking, and uncommonly pretty for a beginner LEGO set. The face looks dangerous and fierce, and every limb is poseable, allowing the figure to languish or pounce, depending on your preference.
Heartlake City Community Kitchen
- Set: #41747
- Age Range: 8+
- Piece Count: 695
- Dimensions: 8 in. (22 cm) high, 8 in. (22 cm)wide and 6 in. (17 cm) deep
- Price: $67.99
In 2012, the LEGO Friends line expanded the company's target demographic to include young girls. The Community Kitchen is a standout among the newer sets, and it includes both an open floor plan for the kitchen and a dining area on the roof terrace.
Medieval Castle
- Set: #31120
- Age Range: 9+
- Piece Count: 1426
- Dimensions: 10.5 in. (26 cm) high, 12 in. (31 cm) wide, 11 in. (28 cm)
- Price: $99.99
If you have your eye on the recent LEGO Lion Knights castle, but think it might be too expensive or too difficult, try this smaller scale Medieval Castle, which has a water mill, a throne room, a smithy, and a prison. And best of all, it's also a 3-in-1 set, which means you rebuild it as a medieval marketplace or a castle tower.
3-in-1 Pirate Ship
- Set: #31109
- Age Range: 9+
- Piece Count: 1264
- Dimensions: 14” (37cm) high, 18” (46cm) long, 7” (19cm) wide
- Price: $119.99
Yarr. Everything about this build, from the swell of the sails to the tension in the riggings to the cannons that line the sides, looks perfect. This is also a 3-in-1 build, which means that if you'd like, you can also build a Pirates' inn or a Skull Island (where you bury your pirate treasure) out of the same bricks.
App-Controlled Transformation Vehicle
- Set: #42140
- Age Range: 9+
- Piece Count: 772
- Dimensions: 4.5 in. (12 cm) high, 10 in. (26 cm) long, 7.5 in. (20 cm) wide
- Price: $149.99
Part of the LEGO Technic line, this buildable remote controlled car drives on treads. It has a triangular shape, so if you drive it into a wall, it flips and continues driving the other way. It's not traditional, brick-centric LEGO, but a STEM kid will love it. For more traditional vehicles, check out the best LEGO car sets.
Mosaic Maker
- Set: #40179
- Age Range: 10+
- Piece Count: 4702
- Dimensions: 15 in. (38 cm) long, 15 in. (38 cm) wide
- Price: $129.99
This concept is really cool. You upload a photo to LEGO's website, and they convert it into a 15x15 inch mosaic, composed of LEGO dots. You can then order this mosaic as a custom set and assemble your family photo.
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That's our guide for kids, but take a look at our roundup for the best LEGO sets for adults if you want something a bit bigger or more complex. Those who like video games, including retro games, can take a look at our favorite Nintendo LEGO sets.
We also have suggestions for Star Wars LEGO sets for the sci-fi fans in your life. Fantasy fans can check out our favorite Harry Potter LEGO sets, and superhero stans can take a look at the best Marvel LEGO sets.
Kevin Wong is a contributing freelancer for IGN, specializing in LEGO. He's also been published in Complex, Engadget, Gamespot, Kotaku, and more. Follow him on Twitter at @kevinjameswong.
