One of the most popular toys worldwide, LEGOs are an excellent option for kids of all ages. Maybe you’ve been intimated by the steep price tag. Surprisingly, there are some great sets available on a budget. We explore 50 of the best and most budget-friendly kids LEGO sets available. Great for any occasion, these inexpensive sets will be a favorite gift for any kid.
How to Choose a Budget LEGO Set
Here are some important things to think about when choosing bricks to purchase.
- Price. Probably the biggest consideration for most people is cost. Included on this list are the best sets available at a good price.
- Difficulty. Think about your child’s age and abilities. In addition, your child’s attention span can help you decide how many pieces and what level of difficulty would be appropriate. You want something your child will enjoy and not get frustrated with. As a guideline, we’ve included our recommendations of ages for each set we reviewed.
- Theme. LEGO offers hundreds of different themed sets. Whether it’s Star Wars, Disney, Minecraft, or Marvel, look for a themed set your child will enjoy.
- Motion. Adding motion to a set is another fun aspect for kids approximately ages 8 and older. Whether it’s a car that actually drives or a helicopter with a turning blade, kids love adding motion to their creations.
We have reviewed 11 LEGO set types and 44 LEGO sets many of which are new for 2023.
Top Inexpensive LEGO Sets for Kids
Product | Features |
---|---|
LEGO Creator Sets | |
3in1 Shuttle Transporter Read Review | |
3in1 Fire Dragon Read Review | |
Mighty Dinosaur Read Review | |
3in1 Underwater Robot Read Review | |
3in1 Extreme Engines Read Review | |
LEGO Star Wars Sets | |
Mandalorian Battle Read Review | |
A-Wing Starfighter Read Review | |
Luke Skywalker’s Landspeeder Read Review | |
Duel on Mustafar Read Review | |
Obi-Wan’s Hut Read Review | |
LEGO Technic Sets | |
Cherry Picker Read Review | |
Race Truck Read Review | |
Police Pursuit Read Review | |
Mini CLAAS XERION Read Review | |
Getaway Truck Read Review | |
LEGO City Sets | |
Snow Groomer Read Review | |
Ice Cream Truck Read Review | |
Rover Testing Drive Read Review | |
Fire Chief Response Truck Read Review | |
Diving Yacht Read Review | |
Police Dog Unit Read Review | |
LEGO Friends Sets | |
Andrea’s Car & Stage Playset Read Review | |
Play Hair Salon Fun Read Review | |
Olivia’s Cupcake Café Read Review | |
Underwater Loop Read Review | |
Heartlake City Park Café Read Review | |
LEGO Superhero Sets | |
Captain America: Outriders Attack Read Review | |
War Machine Buster Read Review | |
Molten Man Battle Read Review | |
DC Batman Batmobile Read Review | |
Spider-Man vs Venom Mech Read Review | |
LEGO Minecraft Sets | |
The Pillager Outpost Read Review | |
The Chicken Coop Read Review | |
The Blaze Bridge Read Review | |
The Panda Nursery Read Review | |
The Wool Farm Read Review | |
LEGO NINJAGO Sets | |
Journey to The Skull Dungeons Read Review | |
ShuriCopter Read Review | |
Jay and Lloyd’s Velocity Racers Read Review | |
LEGO DUPLO Sets | |
Toy Story Train Read Review | |
Mickey & Minnie Birthday Read Review | |
Town Toddler Truck Read Review | |
Disney LEGO Sets | |
Belle’s Storybook Adventures Read Review | |
Cinderella’s Castle Celebration Read Review | |
Elsa and Olaf's Tea Party Read Review |
LEGO Creator Sets
LEGO Creator Sets allow kids to combine learning with brick building. The best part about these Creator Sets is that they are all 3-in-1 sets. This means that there are instructions to build 3 different designs for hours of building enjoyment.
Creator 3in1 Shuttle Transporter 31091
This set is one of the most popular LEGO sets out there, and it is an amazing value. At around $25, this set not only is fun to build, but it is also a great looking American icon. A great STEM set, this is perfect for boys and girls alike. It can be built into 3 very functional builds. Furthermore, all three are fun builds that will help your child imagine what it is like to be an astronaut.
Creator 3in1 Fire Dragon 31102
This is not only a great LEGO set, but it is toy to spark imagination. With 3 different build options, this set will provide your child with hours of fun. Kids love building and then playing with the fire dragon, saber-toothed tiger, and scorpion. Not only do I highly recommended this set because it’s a great toy, it’s also a great value.
Creator Mighty Dinosaurs 31058
Creator 3in1 Underwater Robot 31090
Your child will love this underwater robot set. Like most of the Creator sets, this set will allow your child to build 3 distinct and different LEGO builds with instructions. This set builds an underwater robot, a submarine, and an underwater crane. It also includes a small manta ray and some coral. This set is a good value and highly recommended.
Creator 3in1 Extreme Engines 31072
This great looking LEGO cart style, or Indy-style, race car is a fun build for a child who loves race cars or hot rods. The 3-in-1 design means that your child can have hours of building fun with one set. Featuring the primary race car, a hot rod car, and a speedboat, this set offers fun options. My only complaint with this set is that it does not have a lot of pieces, and some of the finer details seem lost with the lack of pieces. I’d recommend this set for a little lower age than the rest of the Creator sets reviewed here. It would probably be enjoyed best for kids under 10.
Top Budget Star Wars Sets
These Star Wars LEGO sets are all under $50, with many under $20. With all the excitement of some of the larger Star Wars sets, these options come without all of the sticker shock. If you want some more complicated LEGO sets, visit our Challenging LEGO set reviews.
Mandalorian Battle Pack 75267
This small but great LEGO Star Wars set is loaded with a lot of value in a small package. Featuring 4 Star Wars minifigures and the Mandalorian speeder, this set is sure to please the young Star Wars fan in your life. The speeder even shoots studs. This set is a lot of fun to build. After that, it’s equally as fun to play with.
Mandalorian Speeder Dimensions: 1″ (4cm) high, 3″ (8cm) long, and 2″ (6cm) wide
Pieces: 102
Our Recommended Ages: 6-12
A-Wing Starfighter 75248
This great Star Wars build is a replica of a Resistance A-wing fighter similar to what you could find in the Rise of the Skywalker movie. The build itself is really good. Included is the pilot Snap Wexley with his iconic orange Star Wars pilot uniform as well as a basic pistol. Lieutenant Connix has a tan uniform as well as a pistol. Clearly, both of these figurines are ready to battle and cause some resistance trouble.
This ship is great set to build, and it’s also a fun set to play with. It includes a see through cockpit as well as two great side by side blasters. One of the best value sets on our list, A Wing Starfighter is strongly recommended.
Dimensions: 2″ high, 4″ wide, and 7″ long
Pieces: 269
Our Recommended Ages: 6-11
Luke Skywalker’s Landspeeder 75271
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Luke is on his way in this exciting X-34 landspeeder. It is easy to picture this speeder hovering away on Tatooine to fight some Tuscan raiders or Jawa across the dangerous desert planet. Included are three fantastic figurines in Luke and C-3PO as well as an armed Jawa.
This set would not only be great to build, but it would also be fun to play with. It is loaded with tons of great Star Wars details to make it a great model to set up on a desk as well. Both kids and collectors alike would love to get this as a gift. The landspeeder is a great value with over 200 pieces and 3 figurines.
Dimensions: 1″ (5cm) high, 4″ (11cm) wide, and 7″ (20cm) long
Pieces: 236
Our Recommended Ages: 6-10
Revenge of the Sith Duel on Mustafar 75269
This set is based on Star Wars Episode III, Revenge of the Sith. Build a Mustafarian mine and watch the sliding, rotating platforms.
The 2 figurines are Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi. This is an epic Lego set that Star Wars fans are sure to love!
Dimensions: over 5″ (14cm) high, 4″ (12cm) wide and 4″ (12cm) deep
Pieces: 208
Our Recommended Ages: 7-12
A New Hope Obi-Wan’s Hut 75270
Yet another classic Star Wars Movie set. This new set for 2020 is as model of Obi-Wan’s Tatooine house representative of the Star Wars a New Hope movie. This set is great mostly because it contains great mini figures of Luke, Obi-Wan, R2-D2, and a Tusken Raider. Luke and Obi-Wan have lightsabers, and the raider has his typical blaster.
Although the house itself is a little uneventful, Star War fans will go crazy over these figurines. At over 200 pieces this set is a good value. If someone likes LEGO Star Wars mini figures, this is probably the best buy of all the sets. It is easy to recreate some great movie moments with this unique set. Due to its smaller build, this set is probably better for a 8-10 year old but it could be used by many ages.
Dimensions: 3″ (9cm) high, 4″ (12cm) wide, and 4″ (11cm) long
Pieces: 200
Our Recommended Ages: 5-10
Inexpensive LEGO TECHNIC sets
LEGO Technic sets are some of my favorite sets because they include not only great LEGO options, but they also include great mechanisms, motors, gears, and electrical components. These options add another dimension to your child’s play.
Technic Cherry Picker 42088
If you are looking for an inexpensive set for a birthday party or stocking stuffer, this kit is very inexpensive at around $10 and is perfect for many occasions. It includes a 2:1 Technic set that can be built into a tow truck as well as a cherry picker loading vehicle with wheels that turn.
One downside of this set is it doesn’t look like most traditional sets. The pieces are a little different, which I’m guessing is to keep the cost down. However, the upside of this set is you get a ton of value with the two builds, over 150 pieces, and tons of great vehicle features. Some of my favorite features are the raising boom and knobby tires.
Technic Race Truck 42104
This great looking technic set is a good value at about $20, and additionally it is exceptionally versatile. Your tween boy or girl will love putting this set together. This set can not only be built into a truck, but it can also be built into a cool race car. Just like other technic sets, this set features a great looking details. This set is highly recommended.
Technic Police Pursuit 42091
This budget Technic set is a great value, and my 8-year-old absolutely loves this set. It is not only a fun build, but also is a lot of fun to play with after it is assembled. It has two builds–a police pursuit vehicle and a combi vehicle. Like many of these Technic car sets, this set also has a pull back mechanism that springs and releases once charged.
Kids who are interested in law enforcement will love this set.
Technic Mini CLAAS XERION 42102
Technic Getaway Truck 42090
Best Budget LEGO City Sets
LEGO City Sets are a great chance to celebrate some of life’s real life heroes. These sets have some fantastic vehicles and awesome mini-figures. All of these LEGO City Sets are inexpensive.
Great Vehicles Snow Groomer 60222
Get out of the way this fantastic snow groomer is coming through. A snow groomer is a something used to prepare a ski or snowboard run by packing and smoothing out the snow. Although this isn’t the easiest build, good things come to those who wait. The snow tread moves and rotates just the way you would hope it would. The moving and swiveling snow cannon make this a great build, and really enjoyable to play with. The best part of this set is probably the 6 shot snow cannon. Who wouldn’t want that as a part of your home snow battle. The set comes with two great mini figures including a really fun skier with attachable skis.
Snow Groomer Dimensions: 3″ (9cm) high, 4″ (11cm) wide, and 7″ (18cm) long
Pieces: 197
Our Recommended Ages: 5-11
Ice Cream Truck 60253
I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream! With this set, you can almost taste the ice cream waiting in the window. This value LEGO City set allows you to construct your own ice cream truck. In addition, it comes with an employee and boy customer mini-figure as well as his dog and skateboard. The ice cream truck is packed with great details. Any girl or boy younger LEGO fan would love this inexpensive build.
Ice Cream Truck Dimensions: over 4″ (11cm) high, 5″ (15cm) long, and 2″ (6cm) wide
Pieces: 200
Our Recommended Ages: 4-10
Rover Testing Drive 60225
Build a rover to explore Mars! This set focuses on the fun of space exploration. It’s a fun build and equally as fun to play with. Kids love using their imaginations as they play with the astronaut and scientist mini figures. This is a great educational toy that can foster a love for all things space!
Rover Dimensions: over 3″ (9cm) high, 5″ (14cm) long, and 3″ (9cm) wide
Pieces: 202
Our Recommended Ages: 4-10
Fire Chief Response Truck 60231
Kids can build a great looking fire truck with this value LEGO City set. With two firefighter mini-figures, any fire emergency can be averted. The firetruck has some great details including a fire hose, blue lights, and a large boom arm that can be raised and lowered. Certainly, if your kids love fire engines, this is an excellent option.
Dimensions: 2″ high, 2″ wide, and 6″ long
Pieces: 201
Our Recommended Ages: 4-11
LEGO City Police Dog Unit 60241
This set is fully equipped with everything a youngster needs to recreate an interrupted crime. It comes with a police officer, police dog, and police car as well as a crook with a crowbar and a jewelry shop full of gems. Since it’s easy to build and has less than 100 pieces, it is suitable for children as young as 4 years old. The instructions are even designed for those learning to build with simple directions. You can’t go wrong with the LEGO City police dog set!
Dimensions: 6″ long, 5.5″ wide, and 2″ high
Pieces: 67
Our Recommended Ages: 4-8
Great Vehicles Diving Yacht 60221
Who’s ready for a deep sea adventure? This inexpensive LEGO City set is so much fun. The yacht is perfect for cruising through the water. Two diver mini figures can change out their masks for hair. There’s a camera for taking underwater photos of the treasure chest and shark.
Yacht Dimensions: over 3″ (8cm) high, 9″ (23cm) long, and 2″ (6cm) wide
Pieces: 148
Our Recommended Ages: 5-9
Best LEGO Friends Budget Sets
LEGO Friends Sets are specifically designed with the young lady LEGO builder in mind, though they can be enjoyed by boys as well. Featuring fun colors and themes, these sets are perfect for a birthday or Christmas gift.
Andrea’s Car & Stage Playset 41390
Move to the music with this exciting set. Featuring a great stage and a fabulous convertible, it’s the perfect setting for a concert with all your kiddo’s favorite toys. Also included are two mini dolls, one with a removable fabric skirt. A large boombox and a colorful bird complete the collection. This is sure to be a fun build and toy to play with!
Car Dimensions: over 1” (4cm) high, 4” (12cm) long
Pieces: 240
Our Recommended Ages: 5-10
Play Hair Salon Fun 41391
What little girl wouldn’t want to play with this great looking Heartlake City Hair Salon? There are tons of intricate details that will allow your child to have hours of enjoyment playing hair with this great set. First, your LEGO Friends enter the salon for a hair washing. Then they chat with the hair dresser as she dries their hair. Finally, they get the perfect hairstyle. In addition, the salon has a variety of great wig options. With a large building and two great LEGO figurines this set is a good value, and a tons of fun. Because this set is fun to both assemble and then to play with, kids can spend hours playing with it.
Play Hair Salon Dimensions: 4” high and about 6″ long
Pieces: 235
Our Recommended Ages: 5-11
Olivia’s Cupcake Café 41366
Olivia’s cupcake shop is open for business! There is so much to see at this beautiful bakery. First, there’s the robot making cupcakes. Then there’s the ice cream machine. Third is the delivery scooter that takes the tasty treats around town. Girls will love putting together the shop and then taking orders and filling them. This darling set has great details that will have girls baking up a storm. Included are two Lego Friends characters.
Cupcake Café Dimensions: 5” high, 7″ wide, and 4″ deep
Scooter Dimensions: 1” high, 1″ wide, and 2″ long
Pieces: 335
Our Recommended Ages: 5-12
Underwater Loop 41337
For a fun twist on an amusement park adventure, check out the Underwater Loop. This cute ferris wheel takes you on a ride through the ocean with some fun sea creatures. Kids love assembling this kit and then playing with it. The instructions are easy to follow, and the ride actually moves. In addition, it comes with two figures and is fun to combine with other amusement park LEGO sets.
Dimensions: over 6″ (17cm) high, 4″ (12 cm) wide, and 3″ (9cm) deep
Pieces: 389
Our Recommended Ages: 5-11
Heartlake City Park Café 41426
Cook up some tasty treats with this fun café! Complete with a store, umbrella covered table, and fun accessories, this set is perfect for young kids. It’s fun to assemble and even more fun to play with. Kids love having the mini doll employee serve up delicious fare to the mini doll customer. The customer even comes with a skateboard and helmet.
Cafe Dimensions: 4″ (11cm) high, and 5″ (14cm) long
Pieces: 224
Our Recommended Ages: 5-9
Budget LEGO Superhero Sets
These LEGO Superhero Sets feature some of the most popular Superheroes out there. They combine great value with favorite superhero mini-figures and super vehicles.
Captain America: Outriders Attack 76123
Superhero fans will love this Captain America set. Help this superhero zip around on his motorcycle to defeat the 3 included Outriders! The Captain America mini figure is very detailed, and his bike actually shoots. While this build is smaller than most on this list, it is a blast to play with. Kids love the action and adventure they can have with this superhero Lego set!
Motorcycle Dimensions: 2″ (7cm) high, 8″ (21cm) long and 2″ (7cm) wide
Pieces: 167
Our Recommended Ages: 4-8
War Machine Buster 76124
Large and in charge, this War Machine Buster is specially designed for action by Tony Stark himself. Containing 2 hand cannons, 6 round rapid shooter on its shoulder, 2 side missiles, and more, this machine means business. Just its mere presence can be a problems for bad guys even the likes of the all powerful Thanos. This is a fun build especially for tweens. Boasting over 300 pieces, this set is a great buy. Also included are 4 great looking mini figures including a War Machine Figurine and Ant Man.
War Machine Dimensions: 1″ (4cm) high, 2″ (6cm) wide, and 5″(14cm) long
Pieces: 362
Our Recommended Ages: 5-12
Spider-Man: Molten Man Battle 76128
Looking for a larger than life superhero building set? This is the one! The Molten Man in this build is epic. It towers over the relatively tiny mini figures. Included are 3 mini figures–Spider-Man with his web pack, Mysterio, and a firefighter. Molten Man has a 6-stud rapid shooter that actually shoots! This set creates the perfect scenario for an unforgettable super battle!
Molten Man Dimensions: 7″ (18cm) tall
Pieces: 294
Our Recommended Ages: 6-10
DC Batman Batmobile 76119
A great value, this DC Comics Classic Batmobile is one kids love. It includes a great looking grey suited and black caped Batman as well as great purple jump-suited Joker. With some Batman hub caps and wings on the side, this car has some fantastic details that make it really fun to play with. Batman even has 10 bat weapons to take down the joker. Certainly, any Batman fan would love this great build with almost 350 pieces.
Batmobile Dimensions: 2″ (7cm) high, 2″ (6cm) wide, and 9″ (24cm) long
Pieces: 342
Our Recommended Ages: 6-12
Spider-Man vs Venom Mech 76150
It is about time that Spider-Man got his own vehicle and with this Marvel set he gets just that. Surprisingly, the lifelike blue and red Spider Jet can take out Spider-Man’s enemy Venom. An incredible value with nearly 400 pieces, it also includes the incredible Venom as well as 3 mini figures.
Your child will have hours of playtime fighting Spider-Man against Venom. One of the best parts of this build is that the Venom cockpit opens for the mini figure to fit inside. Don’t miss this set if you are looking for an inexpensive one where the kid is a fan of Spider-Man or Marvel.
Venom Dimensions: 4″ (12cm) tall
Pieces: 371
Our Recommended Ages: 6-12
Value LEGO Minecraft Sets
These LEGO Minecraft Sets are all budget-friendly options. We’ve picked our favorites that capture the excitement of LEGOs combined with the play of Minecraft.
Minecraft The Pillager Outpost 21159
Your Minecraft fan will love this new set. With Pillagers and Iron Golem, it’s sure to be fun to build and even more fun to play with. Resuce Iron Golem from the cage by blasting it with TNT. The Pillagers are carrying crossbows, and target dummies allow for archery practice. Like the other sets on this list, this one can be combined with any other LEGO sets or bricks to expand it.
Dimensions: 12″ (33cm) long, 7″ (20cm) high and 7″ (18cm) wide
Pieces: 303 pieces
Our Recommended Ages: 7-12
Minecraft The Chicken Coop 21140
Minecraft The Blaze Bridge 21154
Most highly recommended of all of the sets listed here, the Blaze Bridget Minecraft set is my favorite. With almost 400 pieces, this is simply an amazing value. This set just looks and feels like you are right in the video game with 4 squared-headed mini Minecraft figurines. The background of a glowing burning lava set just makes the perfect backdrop to a Minecraft battle. Both the mini figure of Alex and the skeleton have epic Minecraft swords. This set would be the hit of any Minecraft birthday party.
Minecraft The Panda Nursery 21158
New for 2020, this set has a mama panda and a very cute baby panda to make this Minecraft themed LEGO set fun. You can care for the baby panda with a cozy bed for it to sleep on. In addition, you can give it some food or let it it roam on the grass. Alex is here with his typical blocked head to make sure that the area is mined and that the pandas have what they need. Due to the great look of this set, it would make a great addition to any fan’s collection.
Panda Nursery Dimensions: over 3″ (9cm) high, 3″ (8cm) wide, and 7″ (19cm) long
Pieces: 204 pieces
Our Recommended Ages: 5-12
Minecraft The Wool Farm 21153
Best Budget NINJAGO LEGO Sets
These LEGO NINJAGO sets are perfect for the child that loves the Ninjago TV shows. These sets all have great ninja costumes and feature exciting NINJAGO scenes.
NINJAGO Journey to The Skull Dungeons 71717
This NINJAGO set is the perfect gift for fans of the show. In addition to a fantastic dungeon, it comes with mini figures Hero Nya, Hero Jay, Hero Lloyd and Murt. The details are fantastic, and it is a great build. This set has one of the largest number of pieces of any on this list. Kids will love putting it together and playing it even more.
Dungeon Dimensions: 5″ (13cm) high, 8″ (22cm) long and 8″ (20cm) wide
Pieces: 401
Our Recommended Ages: 6-11
ShuriCopter 70673
Zane the Ninjoid (half Ninja half robot) is back with this great ShuriCopter. This set is loaded with great NINJAGO features. Not only does this set contain Zane with a sharp Katan, but it also contains General Vex and Jay. Although the figures alone are worth the price of the set, there is so much more value in this set than that. The Shuricopter has two shurkien weapons with a rotary spinning function as well as 6 shot blaster cannon. Because of the spinning hood that Jay has, this set is likely my favorite of the cheaper Ninjago sets.
Dimensions: 2″ (7cm) high, 9″ (24cm) wide, and 12″ (31cm) long
Pieces: 361
Our Recommended Ages: 5-12
Jay and Lloyd’s Velocity Racers 71709
If your kid’s got the need for speed, check out this exciting set. Included in this set are a Speeder plane, ninja bike, and hoverboard, which make this build fun to assemble and fun to play with as well. In addition, these cool racers come with 3 mini figures (Digi Jay, Digi Lloyd, and Hausner) from the Prime Empire video game. The figures have weapons as well as boards to keep track of remaining lives.
Dimensions of Zane’s Motorbike: 2″ (6cm) high, 1″ (4cm) wide, and 10″ (28cm) long
Pieces: 322
Our Recommended Ages: 6-13
Budget LEGO DUPLO Sets for Toddlers and Preschoolers
These LEGO DUPLO sets are perfect for your young child who isn’t quite ready for the small normal LEGOs. DUPLO blocks are designed with kids under 4 in mind and help young children explore their imagination.
Disney Pixar Toy Story Train 10894
I’ve got a snake in my boot! This adorable DUPLO Toy Story set is perfect for the littlest builders. The 21 pieces are chunky and easy for small hands to manipulate. Young kids love playing with Buzz Lightyear and Woody in this train edition. If you’re looking for a great introduction to bricks for toddlers or preschoolers, this is a great choice!
Train Dimensions (with wagons attached): over 5″ (14cm) high, 2″ (6cm) wide, and 7″ (19cm) long
Pieces: 21
Our Recommended Ages: 18 months-4 years
Disney Mickey and Minnie Birthday Parade
Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, blocks, and a birthday train–what could be better? This cute LEGO DUPLO set is perfect for toddlers and preschoolers. Kids can build the train and also the birthday cake. Three of the blocks are decorated to be birthday gifts. This set is great to play with, and the pieces also make a fun birthday cake topper for your little one.
Train Dimensions: over 7″ high, 2″ wide, and 13″ long
Pieces: 24
Our Recommended Ages: 12 months-5 years
Town Toddler Truck 10812
If you are looking for an exciting and fun LEGO DUPLO set, this could be the one! This set includes a dump truck that actually dumps and an excavator with moving tracks and a rotating cabin. Your little one will enjoy putting bricks in and dumping them again and again. Also included are two LEGO DUPLO construction worker figures, a roadwork sign, and a shovel.
Excavator Dimensions: over 4″ (12cm) high, 2″ (7cm) wide, and 9″ (25cm) long
Truck Dimensions: over 4″ (12cm) high, 2″ (7cm) wide, and 7″ (19cm) long
Pieces: 26
Our Recommended Ages: 18 months-5 years
LEGO DISNEY SETS FOR KIDS
These LEGO Disney sets are perfect for your younger kids. They are all a great value with tons of fun and pieces for the dollars.
Our Recommended Ages: 3-6 years
DUPLO Elsa and Olaf’s Tea Party 10920
Ice House Dimensions: over 3″ (12cm) high
Pieces: 17
Our Recommended Ages: 1-4
What Makes LEGOs Beneficial for Kids
STEM Toy
It’s no wonder LEGOs are such a popular toy among children of many ages. They are not only fun to play with, but they also provide some great benefits to kids. First, LEGOs are a STEM toy, which means they help kids hone their building/engineering and math skills. LEGOs give kids the chance to build something from individual parts, which helps with problem-solving, critical thinking, and ingenuity.
When building specific sets, kids follow the included instructions, which is helpful in teaching kids to follow directions carefully. It also helps them learn to break larger projects down into smaller steps, and then put those steps together for a finished project. Kids learn more about shapes and combing two shapes to create a new shape.
When kids are building with blocks and Legos, they’re using spatial reasoning skills,” says Amy Shelton, a cognitive psychologist and director of research at the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth. “These skills not only have a relationship to academics, but to the fields you might gravitate to, and where you’re going to excel.”
Whether using written instructions, pictures, or creatively playing with LEGOs, kids have to use planning strategies.
Develops Creativity
Another great aspect of LEGOs is that they encourage creativity. There are hundreds of sets that come with specific instructions, but kids can also use their own imaginations and creativity to build creations of their own.
Improves Fine Motor Skills
Additionally, building with bricks gives kids great practice in improving fine motor skills. Manipulating pieces, placing them, and pushing them down improves fine motor and eye-hand coordination, especially among young children. LEGO DUPLOs are an excellent choice for children who are 1-year-old to 4-years-old. Because DUPLOs are larger than regular LEGOs, DUPLOs are easier for small hands to manipulate and be successful using.
Even regular size bricks are good for fine motor development among children. Whether 5-years-old or 12-years-old, LEGOs help with fine motor control and hand-eye coordination.
Encourages Social Interaction
Finally, kids can improve their social skills by playing with LEGOs. It is fun to build with someone else, and especially when building a LEGO set together, kids have to communicate and interact. In an age when kids have trouble communicating unless it’s through a screen, LEGOs provide face-to-face social interaction. Many sets come with mini-figures, which encourage kids to use their imaginations and interact as they do so.
FAQs
What makes a LEGO set a good value?
LEGO sets are considered a good value because they are built to last. Over time they have proven to be a well-made toy able to provide years of entertainment. Additionally, they are versatile which means they can be combined with other sets or transformed into something entirely different.
How much money is considered “budget” for a LEGO set?
Although intricate, deluxe LEGO sets can reach prices over $500, there are plenty of options for people shopping on a budget. You can find “budget” LEGO sets starting around $10. But if you feel comfortable spending $20-$40 you will find lots of complex, engaging LEGO sets.
What age is appropriate for my kids to start with LEGO?
While children of all ages love to play with LEGOs, it is imperative to wait until your child understands the danger of putting small objects in their mouth before introducing LEGOs. Since LEGO produces sets with larger pieces, simple designs, and visual instructions, children as young as 4 years old can start assemble LEGO sets. LEGO does make its DUPLO sets, which contain larger pieces, for toddlers.