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 the best LEGOs, there may be a general belief among adults that these intricate blocks are made for kids. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. Not only is indulging in building the best adult LEGOs an ideal way to stimulate your brain and build inspiring models from the most creative parts of your mind, but it can actually be a great way to destress, too.

Granted, many adults only play with LEGOs in order to spend time with their kids and share the experience of building a LEGO masterpiece together. But it’s also important to remember that children are not required. (The instructions say “Ages 5 and up,” right?) 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 hobbyist already knows.

While we’re confident any of these adult LEGOs are sure to satisfy your creative side, we suggest asking yourself the following questions to ensure you get the best LEGO set for you.

How Many Pieces Are Too Many?

Not only will the number of pieces in the kit generally translate into the amount of time it will take to put it together, but it also gives a good indication of how difficult this LEGO set for adults will be, too. If this is your first time building, you may want to try a lower number to see if it’s something that appeals to you. Conversely, if this isn’t your first time with the colored bricks, we suggest heading to the end of the list for a challenge.

Who Is This LEGO Set For?

If the kit is a gift, it’s important to think about what the person you’re buying it for is into. The best LEGOs for adults come in all shapes and sizes, meaning that there’s likely a kit for almost any interest, no matter whether it’s an unhealthy obsession with Disney or a love of architecture.

Do You Want to Display Your LEGO Afterward?

If you’re a “make it and break it” kind of person, it doesn’t really matter whether your kit looks good when finished. However, if you’re after a kit worthy of displaying when it’s finished, there are definitely some kits better suited to this than others. For example, kits like the International Space Station and Harley-Davidson Fat Boy include stands for post-build display.

Below, we’ve put together a list of the 40 best LEGOs 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, a roller coaster and a high-power supercar for everyone else.

Best LEGOS for Architecture Nerds

1. LEGO Architecture Empire State Building

BEST OVERALL

There’s no doubt that the Empire State Building is the most famous work of architecture in North America. This stunning Art Deco masterpiece rises about midtown Manhattan, and it’s one of the most recognizable buildings in the world. The LEGO version of this skyscraper will rise 21″ above your desk. This LEGO set contains 1,767 pieces and is packed with details that LEGO builders are sure to appreciate. Plus, unlike some of the other more advanced LEGO models below, it has a reasonable price tag. For all these reasons, it’s our top pick for the best LEGO set for adults in 2021.

PRICE DROP!

2. LEGO Roman Colosseum

MASTER BUILDERS ONLY

Looking for a challenge? When it was released on November 27 for Black Friday 2020, the LEGO Roman Colisseum officially became the biggest LEGO set of all time. This massive model is built from 9,036 pieces and is a true work of art. It’s built for people 18+ for obvious reasons because you need to be absolutely focused in order to sit down and allow yourself to delve into this structure. This is a great set for anybody that geeks over Italian architecture or simply anybody looking for something to do during our next quarantine. As you might expect from a record-setting new LEGO set, it’s currently out of stock at the official LEGO store, but hopefully it will be restocked soon.

3. LEGO Architecture San Francisco Building Kit

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 Skyline San Francisco Building Kit. This 565-piece kit is great for adults and older kids and features some of the city’s most famous buildings and landmarks. Build 555 California Street, the Transamerica Pyramid, Salesforce Tower, Coit Tower, Fort Point, Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island. The skyline sits at just over six inches high, and the base is marked “San Francisco.”

4. LEGO Architecture Statue of Liberty Building Kit

BEST TABLE PIECE

If you want a piece that is as much fun to build as it’s going to be to look at and display once complete, the LEGO Architecture Statue of Liberty Building Kit is for you. Whether it’s on your office desk or a shelf in your home, the statue’s 17-inch height and flat and shiny finish make this a set that travel, architecture, history and general LEGO enthusiasts are sure to enjoy. To add to the display-worthy feel of this “16 years and older” kit, you’ll find a stylish base with “Statue of Liberty” written on it.

5. LEGO White House Building Kit

MOST PATRIOTIC

If you want to build a piece of America’s history and have yet to walk through the Oval Office yourself, this LEGO set is for you. It’s an architectural model that captures the neoclassical design of this world-famous residence wherein one of the most powerful leaders of the free world sits. It has everything — the Executive Residence, East Wing, West Wing as well as the Rose Garden and Jacqueline Kennedy Garden as well. It also has a LEGO brick engraved with “The White House” in case any onlookers get confused when admiring your piece of work. Bring 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue close to home and experience it with your own two hands with this beautiful model. 

 

6. LEGO Sydney Opera House Set

BEST FOR SINGERS

Live out your singing fantasy and take center stage with the opera house of all opera houses. The Sydney Opera House could be considered the most prolific structure in all of Australia, so pay homage with this 2,989 piece set and bring the relic right to your living space. It’s a great piece for architecture fans because there are so many angled walls and subtle details to swoon over when putting this together. All in all, you’ll have way too much fun with this set, believe that.

7. LEGO Creator Expert Old Trafford

FOR SOCCER FANS

If you agree that football is life, then your next LEGO splurge should be on the Expert Old Trafford stadium for Manchester United. The kit is a 1/600 replica of the famous stadium and gives football fans something to do on days when there’s no game. Or, something to do during a game if you’re too superstitious to watch. The set comes with 3,898 pieces, but you have to supply your own scarf and track pants.

 

Best LEGO Creator Sets

8. LEGO Creator Volkswagen T1 Camper Van Set

BEST FOR GROWN-UP 60s KIDS

Whether you owned one or have always wanted to, this LEGO Creator Expert Volkswagen T1 Camper Van Construction Set is akin to having your very own VW camper van. The set is based on the iconic 1962 model and features a number of authentic features. Look closely and you’ll spot 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 1,332 pieces.

9. LEGO Creator Harley-Davidson Fat Boy

BEST FOR BIKE LOVERS

The LEGO Creator Harley-Davidson Fat Boy is a pretty good backup option for those days when it’s not possible to get out on your own wild hog. This classy set is ideal for older teens and adults and measures seven inches high and 12 inches long, making it a great display piece after you’ve completed the build. The kit includes some of the original elements bike lovers want to see in a model, including the tear-drop fuel tanks, dual exhaust pipes and a built-in speedometer. Additional parts to grab your attention are moving pistons, real handlebar steering and a movable gear shift pedal.

10. LEGO Creator Expert Ford Mustang Building Kit

BEST FOR TECHNICAL MINDS

If you love motor vehicles and want a mental workout in your build, it’s worth checking out this LEGO Creator Expert Ford Mustang Building Kit. Not only is the 1,471-piece kit a test for even the most advanced builders, hence the 16 years+ rating, it’s also modeled on one of the most popular car models of all time. The car sports an attractive dark blue body along with white racing stripes and classy five-spoke rims for a piece worth displaying when you’re finished.

MORE: Best LEGO Car Sets for Adults & Kids Alike

11. LEGO Creator James Bond Aston Martin Building Kit

BEST MOVING PARTS

When it comes to Bond, there are few things people associate with the character more than his famous Aston Martin DB5, which is why this LEGO Creator Expert James Bond Aston Martin DB5 Building Kit should be attractive to all the James Bond fanatics out there. What’s even better is that the model isn’t just a shell. It includes a number of exclusive details and a whole host of 007 gadgetry. Whether it’s the stick shift that reveals the front-wing machine guns or the working trigger ejector seat, the fun only just begins when your build is complete.

12. LEGO City Passenger Train

BEST FOR TRAIN LOVERS

The LEGO City Passenger Train combines fun and transit with an exciting piece you’ll be happy to have and display once completed. Styled like a classic passenger train, this 677-piece set includes a motorized engine, two cars, platform, signals and configurable circular track. It’s almost 40-inches long, too.

13. LEGO Porsche 911

BEST FOR CAR FANS

If you’ve always wanted to say you own a Porsche but your bank account says otherwise, get by with a little white lie thanks to your new LEGO set. Technically, you do now own a Porsche 911, or at least you will once you put the 1,458 pieces together. Builders can choose between the Targa and its removable roof or opt for the Turbo with the wide rear axle. Hey, you’re a Porsche owner now. Why not splurge on both?

14. LEGO Creator Expert Gingerbread House

BEST HOLIDAY PIECE

For an adult LEGO set that can have a prominent spot in your home every November and December (plus October if you’re really into Christmas), we like the Gingerbread House kit. Boasting far fewer calories than a typical gingerbread house and much more fun to work with than sugar and ginger (it’s never not a sticky mess, amirite?), the holiday set still features candy cane columns and ‘candy buttons,’ but you won’t have to throw it out in January. The chimney features a glowing fire and building the set gives you a great excuse if you need a few minutes away from the family during the holidays. Family is great, but you know, breaks are also great.

15. LEGO Creator Expert Corner Garage

CITY DISPLAY

LEGO has created several sets that make up a city landscape, giving fans a collection they can grow and keep on display in their home. We like the Corner Garage, complete with a rooftop patio, second-floor veterinary office, and detailed signage. The gas station comes with customers and workers, helping builders create a fun and interactive part of their city setting.

Pop-Culture Inspired LEGOS

16. LEGO Marvel Avengers Iron Man Hall of Armor Building Kit

BEST FOR MARVEL FANS

With the LEGO Marvel Avengers Iron Man Hall of Armor in your home LEGO setup, you’ll be able to recreate any number of your favorite scenes from the Avengers and Iron Man movies. The set includes Iron Man’s famous rotating suit podium with robotic arms surrounded by a number of detachable modules that can be set up in arrangements of your choosing. The set also boasts a posable Igor suit along with two outriders, a Tony Stark face and four different Iron Man suits, namely Iron Man MK 1, Iron Man MK 5, Iron Man MK 41 and Iron Man MK 50.

17. LEGO Ideas Central Perk Building Kit

BEST FOR GROWN-UP 90s KIDS

If you aren’t one of the millions of Friends fans out there, it’s probably hard to imagine why this LEGO Ideas Central Perk Building Kit holds any interest at all. For everyone else, it’s hard to pass up the opportunity to have your very own version of the most famous sofa in the world. In addition to the complete Central Perk set, this 25th-anniversary set comes with the six main cast members in LEGO mini-figure form as well as everyone’s favorite coffee server, Gunther. Each mini-figure includes one additional prop. For example, Phoebe has her guitar, and Joey comes with a slice of pizza. For any Friends fan, this 1,070-piece kit will provide plenty of fun during the building process with much more to come when you start playing out all your favorite scenes.

18. LEGO Ideas Disney Steamboat Willie Building Kit

BEST OLD SCHOOL DISNEY

The LEGO Ideas Disney Steamboat Willie Building Kit lets you express your love for Disney and LEGO at the same time. As Mickey Mouse’s first official on-screen debut, the black-and-white cartoon called Steamboat Willie holds a special place in the heart of all Disney fans. Combine this with a beautiful 751-piece LEGO kit, and you’ve got hours of nostalgic fun to enjoy. The kit, which was created to celebrate Mickey’s 90th anniversary, includes a Steamboat Willie model sporting moving steam pipes, rotating paddle wheels and an adjustable crane. In addition, you’ll find both Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse mini-figures to create a set that makes a great display item or allows for fun play, too.

19. LEGO Disney Mickey Mouse & Minnie Mouse Buildable Characters

FOR NEW SCHOOL DISNEY FANS

For a Disney fan who wants an adult LEGO set with some color, we like the Mickey Mouse & Minnie Mouse Buildable Characters. Featuring a similar retro feel as the set above, the buildable characters come with fun accessories, including a camera, guitar and flowers. The famous mice each stand over 14” tall, creating figures that will bring a pop of color and some whimsy to any space. Oh boy! That was our Mickey Mouse impression.

20. LEGO Adidas Originals Superstar

FOR SNEAKERHEADS

If you thought adult LEGO sets were all spaceships and cars, think again. The company has several pop culture sets that even non-LEGO lovers will, well, love! One of the latest sets is the Adidas Original Superstars, which lets builders create an homage to the iconic shelltoes. The set comes with an actual shoe box and real laces. A great display piece for a music room or closet, the set is sure to delight any sneakerhead.

21. LEGO Art The Beatles

FOR MUSIC FANS

If you’re a Beatles fan, you know all you need is love. Another four-letter word that starts with L? LEGO. A great display piece for a living room or music room, The Beatles LEGO art piece lets music lovers bring out their inner artists to create portraits of John, Paul, George and Ringo. This adult LEGO set comes with all the pieces needed to make one portrait of a single member of the fab four and includes hanging hardware to display your finished pieces next to a turntable or anywhere you listen to the greatest band of all time. There! We said it!

22. LEGO Stranger Things The Upside Down Building Kit

BEST FLIPPABLE MODEL

Granted, if you aren’t a fan of Stranger Things, you might think this LEGO Stranger Things The Upside Down Building Kit isn’t for you. However, on closer inspection, you’ll find one of LEGO’s most intelligent and intricately made products which can be built and enjoyed by fans and non-fans alike. The model is a combination of the Byers’ home and The Upside Down, an alternate dimension that exists parallel to the human one. This is ingeniously represented in this model which can be turned about its axis and presented with either of the two realms facing up. In addition, the kit includes eight of the characters from the program, including Mike Wheeler, Dustin Henderson, Will Byers, Jim Hopper and, of course, the Demogorgon.

23. LEGO Harry Potter Hogwarts Castle Building Kit

AWARD WINNING

Good news! Your letter arrived, and now you can finally go to Hogwarts. This outstanding LEGO set for adults is a dream come true for fans of the Harry Potter series, and 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 6,020 pieces.

24. LEGO Ghostbusters ECTO-1

BEST FOR GHOSTBUSTERS LOVERS

Who you gonna call? Ghostbusters! Create your very own ECTO-1 and vac up some ghosts in the process. This set is inspired by the classic Cadillac from the movie and has a ton of cool original details like the Ghostbusters logo, gunner seat and even a proton pack. For any Ghostbusters fanatic, this is the perfect way to conquer your boredom instead of rewatching the original 500 more times until the next flick comes out.

25. LEGO Nintendo Entertainment System

BEST FOR VIDEO GAME LOVERS

Bring it back to the classics with this iconic Nintendo entertainment system made entirely from LEGOs. Sporting Mario on the “big screen”, aka your classic 1980s television, you can recreate the number of hours you spent on your Nintendo as a kid and bring this bad boy to life. No, sadly it won’t work the same way your regular Nintendo used to, but it really is a stellar relic for those that were obsessed with the console and the original Nintendo games.

Best Star Wars LEGO Sets

26. LEGO Star Wars Millennium Falcon 75192

BEST OVERALL STAR WARS SET

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. Until recently, this was the biggest LEGO set ever made, and it’s still the second biggest LEGO set in history. It’s full of fun features like removable hull panels, a moving boarding ramp and a detachable roof on the cockpit. This extra-large model measures 8 inches high, 33 inches long and 22 inches wide. Inside, 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 Millennium Falcon LEGO kit has 7,541 pieces, ensuring you’ll get hours of fun from this impressively comprehensive building set. 

Unfortunately, the 7,500-piece Millennium Falcon Kit is hard to find. This Star Wars LEGO set is sold out at the official LEGO store; however, you can find it for sale at Target and from third-party resellers on sites like Amazon.

27. Star Wars Star Destroyer LEGO Set for Adults

BEST FOR SUPERFANS

The Imperial Star Destroyer LEGO kit is new in 2020, and with 4,784 pieces, it’s a truly epic LEGO set. When fully assembled, it’s also huge. When placed on its display stand, this set measures over 17 inches high, 43 inches long and 26 inches wide. As a bonus for Star Wars superfans (and, let’s face it, if you’re buying this $700 LEGO set, then you’re a superfan), this kit also comes with a buildable scale model of the Tantive IV, the escape ship Princess Leia was on in the opening scenes of A New Hope.

28. The Rise of Skywalker Millennium Falcon 75257

BEST UNDER $200

Looking for the best LEGO set for adult Star Wars fans that doesn’t cost as much as a new flat-screen TV? Then you’ll want to go with the slightly less intense version of the Millennium Falcon. Instead of 7,500 pieces, this building kit comes with a much more reasonable 1,300. However, it’s still plenty complex, and any fan will love putting this model together. Plus, it comes with a LEGO Chewbacca and Lando Calrissian.

29. LEGO Star Wars: D-O Building Kit

BEST DROID

It’s not a true Star Wars film if there isn’t a cute little character for everyone to fall in love with. And in the case of The Rise of Skywalker, this responsibility fell on the heroic and rather dog-like droid D-O (and Babu Frik!). In this LEGO Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker D-O Building Kit, you’ll find a 519-piece model of the droid that sits just over 10 inches high. The set includes a built-in display stand and an information sign to boot. Because of the kit’s “10 years and up” rating, this is a great gift idea for younger Star Wars fans as well as adult fans alike.

30. LEGO Star Wars: The Mandalorian Building Kit

BEST MANDALORIAN LEGO SET

You’ve seen the show, you know the deal. You’ve got the whole cast of characters in this model as well as your very own baby Yoda, in adorable LEGO-figure form. In this 1,023-piece kit, you’ll find a detailed replica of the Mandalorian’s spaceship along with miniatures of your favorite characters from the first series, including the Mandalorian himself, Baby Yoda, Greef Karga and a scout trooper. This set is a must for Star Wars fans and a great gift idea for any kids (10 years and older) who love LEGO.

31. LEGO Star Wars: Attack of the Clones Yoda Building Model

BEST YODA

The man, the myth, the legend — made of over 1,700 pieces. This LEGO set makes everyone’s favorite mentor, Yoda. This detailed beloved character comes with an informational plaque to display as well as a stand to hold up your creation once you’re finished. The Yoda model has a head you can pose, eyebrows, and both fingers and toes that move. The finished product stands 16″ tall so it’ll stand out in your home and serve as a great centerpiece to your Star Wars collection. And if you’re anything like us, this Jedi master will go nicely with your collection of Baby Yoda gifts and toys.

Best LEGO for Hard Thinkers

32. LEGO Ideas Treehouse Building Kit

BEST FOR THE OUTDOORSY TYPE

If you’d rather be exploring outside, but can’t due to weather or other circumstances, this LEGO kit might be the next best thing. You can build your own treehouse with this highly-detailed kit that includes three cabins, a tree with interchangeable leaves for different seasons, a swing and a treasure chest. There’s a family of figurines to play with and a bird to add to the natural appeal. Whether you’re creating the treehouse you always wish you had or recreating a beloved childhood memory this LEGO set will satisfy any nature enthusiast.

33. LEGO Ideas Pop-up Book Building Kit

BEST SURPRISE

You can now add pop-up books to the list of things you never thought would work in LEGO but actually do. This LEGO Ideas Pop-up Book Building Kit is made up of 859 pieces and includes two different fairy tale stories, Little Red Riding Hood and Jack and the Beanstalk, which can be switched out for one another depending on the story you want to see when the book is opened. You’ll also find four additional mini-figures that add to each scene and allow for imagination play. In addition, to add to the set’s book-like appearance, the front cover sports an attractive border and reads “Once Upon a Brick.”

34. LEGO Technic Compact Crawler Crane Building Kit

BEST FOR PRACTICAL MINDS

With its 920-piece composition, the LEGO Technic Compact Crawler Crane Building Kit is a great way to introduce yourself into the world of LEGO Technic. Slightly more technical than the average LEGO model, these complex models offer a more interactive experience. For builders of all ages, this crawler crane kit will help you to understand the basics of how gears, force and movement work and interact. At the end of the build, you’ll be able to move, lift and adjust any part of the crane you need to. Stand out parts of this kit include the crane’s crawling tracks, extendable boom, safety lock and functioning outriggers. As a two-in-one kit, you can also choose to rebuild your crawler crane into an alternative model in the form of the compact tower crane.

35. LEGO International Space Station Building Kit

BEST FOR STAR GAZERS

The best way to celebrate America’s 2020 return to space is to enjoy a space station of your own back here on Earth. The LEGO Ideas International Space Station Building Kit includes a range of authentic ISS details, including eight adjustable solar panels, rotatable joints and a posable Canadarm2. For display purposes, the 864-piece kit also comes with a stand. Furthermore, the accompanying 148-page booklet gives you lots of information about the station, while the mini cargo spacecraft and pair of astronauts allow for plenty of imaginative play.

36. 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. Like the best LEGO sets for adults, your finished creation will double as a quirky piece of home decor. The ship inside the bottle boasts impressive details while the included stand also has plenty of attractive features of its own including a nameplate, compass and miniature globes. The set is made from 962 pieces and sits at just over three inches high and 12 inches long.

37. LEGO Technic Liebherr Excavator Building Kit

BIGGEST CHALLENGE

If difficulty is at the top of your wish list for your LEGO build, this LEGO Technic Liebherr R 9800 Excavator Building Kit fits the bill. The imposing machine is made up of 4,108 pieces and measures an impressive 15 inches high, 25 inches long and 10 inches across. You’ll find plenty of true-to-life details, including the authentic color scheme and on-excavator walkways. The kit is powered by two advanced Smart Hubs and seven motors which can be controlled using the LEGO TECHNIC CONTROL+ app for a new level of creative play. Elements to control include the boom and bucket, the central articulation, sound effects and the tracks.

38. LEGO Lots of DOTS

FOR THE CRAFTER

LEGO DOTS are one of the newest creations from the company and though they are geared towards younger builders, they do offer a fun way for crafters to show off their creativity. A great set for using with kids or when you simply want to relax and show off your decorating skills, the Lots of DOTS comes with more than 1,000 colorful tiles that can turn into just about anything you can imagine.

39. LEGO Art World Map

INCLUDES A SOUNDTRACK

If you’re up for a challenge, and we mean a really big challenge, then the LEGO Art World Map is a must-have LEGO set for adults. The new set comes with (drumroll please) 11,695 pieces! The set gives builders three options for directions or you can freeform it and get creative. Hey, it’s your world! The set also comes with a QR code that leads users to a soundtrack to set the mood for their build. Create a piece of art that comes with everything you need to hang and display your 41” by 25.5” world map.

40. LEGO Ideas NASA Apollo Saturn

BEST FOR THE FAMILY

Whether you’re a space fan or want a project the whole family can work on together, we like the NASA Apollo Saturn set. The rocket that first delivered humans to the moon can be replicated in your home using almost 2,000 LEGO pieces. This LEGO set for adults comes with three stands for displaying the finished rocket and three removable rocket stages, as well as a command and service module. That’s one small step for mankind, one giant step for LEGO lovers.

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