The Best Lego Sets for Adults, Because Grown-Ups Need Toys, Too
No matter how old you think you are, there are some things in life you never grow out of. Perfect examples of this include eating ice cream at the beach, going to Disney World and building LEGO sets.
When it comes to LEGO, there may be a general belief among adults that these intricate blocks are made for kids and no one else. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. Not only is indulging in building LEGO sets as an adult an ideal way to stimulate your brain and build inspiring models from the most creative parts of your mind, it can actually be a great way to destress and relax as well.
Granted, it may be in some way beneficial to spend time with your children and share the experience of building LEGO sets. But, it’s also important to remember that it’s not required. Plus, if the LEGO Movie taught us anything, it’s that letting children loose on a LEGO city usually ends in destruction, as you can imagine every adult LEGO hobbyists already knows.
Below, we’ve put together a list of the 10 best LEGO sets for adults (and older kids if you want to let them play, too). It includes something for everyone, with cityscapes and iconic buildings for the architecture lovers, spaceships and castles for the sci-fi fans and VW vans, carousels and a high-power supercar for everyone else.
1. LEGO Star Wars Millennium Falcon Kit
BEST OVERALL
If you’re a Star Wars fan and a Lego fan, owning the LEGO Star Wars Ultimate Millennium Falcon Building Kit is pretty much the pinnacle of existence. It’s chocked full of fun features, like removable hull panels, a lowerable boarding ramp and a detachable roof on the cockpit. You’ll also find mini figures in the kit, including Chewee and Han as well as C-3PO and three figures from episode VII. The falcon kit has 7,541 pieces, ensuring you’ll get plenty of hours of fun from this impressively comprehensive building set.
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2. LEGO Architecture Chicago Skyline Set
BEST FOR FAMILIES
Whether you’ve visited the city yourself, love architecture or have been searching for a new part of town to add to your LEGO city, you need not look any further than the LEGO Architecture Chicago Skyline Building Blocks Set. This 444-piece kit is great for adults and older kids to create together and features some of Chicago’s most famous buildings and landmarks, like the Willis Tower, the John Hancock Center and Cloud Gate. The skyline sits at just over seven inches high and the base is marked “Chicago.”
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3. LEGO Ideas Ship in a Bottle Expert Kit
BEST FOR HOME DISPLAY
In this LEGO Ideas Ship in a Bottle Expert Building Kit, you don’t just get hours of fun construction time, you also get a beautiful model to display on any shelf or surface in your home. The ship inside the bottle boasts impressive details while the included stand also has plenty of attractive features of its own, including a name plate, compass and miniature globes. The set is made from 962 pieces and sits at just over three inches high and 12 inches long.
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4. LEGO Creator Volkswagen T1 Camper Van Set
BEST FOR KIDS FROM THE 60s
Whether you owned one or have always wanted to, this LEGO Creator Expert Volkswagen T1 Camper Van Construction Set is an easy way to enjoy something akin to having your very own VW camper van. The set is based on the 1962 classic model and features a number of authentic features, like the V-shaped color split, the “splittie” safari windshield and the pop-up roof. When complete, the van sits at over five inches high and 11 inches long and is made from 1332 pieces.
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5. LEGO Ideas NASA Apollo Saturn V
BEST FOR STAR GAZERS
The LEGO Ideas NASA Apollo Saturn V is a nearly 1:110 scale model of the NASA Apollo Saturn V. It’s made up from 1969 pieces and isn’t just for looking at as it also features a number of functioning elements. From the removable S-IC first rocket stage to the lunar lander and lunar orbiter, there’s hours of fun to be had with friends and kids playing out what it would be like to blast off to the moon. Alternatively, there are plenty of variations for displaying your finished construction. The set even includes a booklet with information about the manned Apollo missions so you can learn while you build.
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6. LEGO Creator Expert Carousel Building Kit
BEST MECHANICAL BUILD
At 12 inches high and 14 inches wide, the LEGO Creator Expert Carousel Building Kit is an eye-catching piece to keep around the home. The advanced kit, which is made of 2670 pieces, features all your favorite carousel animals and includes a crank to move the animals up and down as the carousel turns, just like a real one. Plus, it’s also possible to motorize this kit by adding the the LEGO Power Functions 8883 medium motor and the 88000 AAA battery box for effort-free enjoyment.
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7. LEGO Technic Bugatti Chiron Race Car Building Kit
BEST FOR TECHNICAL MINDS
If you’ve always dreamed of owning a supercar, now is your chance. In the LEGO Technic Bugatti Chiron Race Car Building Kit, you’ll be able to construct your very own “functioning” vehicle. And while it won’t be driving you anywhere, the detailed W16 engine, genuine wheel suspension and eight-speed gearbox will definitely produce plenty of excitement. During the building of this 3599 kit, you’ll also get to marry the car’s internals with the outer shell for a truly rewarding feeling. Each car comes with its very own unique serial number and overnight bag, which can be stored in the car’s trunk.
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8. LEGO Creator Expert Taj Mahal Building Kit
BEST FOR TRAVELERS
The LEGO Creator Expert Taj Mahal Building Kit and Architecture Model is another great option for architecture lovers. The straight lines, numerous arches and soaring minarets make the kit a truly display-worthy piece. It sits at over 16 inches high and 20 inches wide, so it’s going to be hard to miss. As one of the world’s seven wonders, it only seems right that this set includes as much detail as possible. That is achieved through the 5,900 piece construction, delivering a model which rivals the original for its beauty. This outstanding piece would also make a great addition to your at-home LEGO city.
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9. LEGO Harry Potter Hogwarts Castle Building Kit
MOST PIECES
Good news! Your letter arrived, and it’s now time for you to board the train and head off for your spell bound adventures with this outstanding LEGO Harry Potter Hogwarts Castle Building Kit. For fans of the Harry Potter series, the set includes everything you could ask for, from the tower-clambering dragon to the tree-smashing weeping willow. You’ll also find a number of dementors flying around and everyone’s favorite giant spider, Aragog. There’s plenty of fun to be had with this kit after you’ve completed the build. This castle kit includes 6020 pieces.
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10. LEGO Marvel Super Heroes The SHIELD Helicarrier
BEST FOR COMIC BOOK FANS
One of the most memorable moments from the original Avengers movie has to be the surprise when their seemingly water bound carrier becomes airborne. In this LEGO Marvel Super Heroes The SHIELD Helicarrier, you’ll get to play out that very moment and also create your own stories inspired by Loki’s attack on the Avenger’s HQ. Included in this impressive kit, you’ll find all of your favorite characters, such as Captain America, Black Widow and Hawkeye. For further detail, there’s also three Quinjets, a gasoline truck, three fighter jets and more. And, if you really want things to feel real, it’s possible to add the 88000, 8883 and 8870 LEGO Power Functions sets to this 2996-piece kit for working lights and spinning rotors.
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