This year, I have been slowly building my first Lego collection. My kids and GeekMom Jenny each have tubs of Lego bricks that belong to them individually. I felt left out after visiting Legoland with Jenny, so I started my own collection. When I started buying, I did a lot of research, so that I could get the most out of my investment in a fairly expensive hobby. The first thing I needed, no argument, was bricks. There are many ways to get a bunch of bricks at once. I started with the Lego Build and Play Box. It’s a great starter set, highlighted by its large storage box, but I’ve found some cheaper options. Here is a breakdown of the average prices I could find: 884 piece Lego Education Brick Set 779384 = 6.1 cents per brick 650 piece Lego Bricks & More Builders of Tomorrow Set 6177 = 6.3 cents per brick (discontinued and no longer available, as of 11/2016) 1,000 piece Lego Build and Play Box 4630 = 11.6cents per brick 650 piece Lego Creative Building Kit 5749 = 7.1 cents per brick
1,600 piece Lego XXL Brick Box 5512 = 13.4 cents per brick (this one has been discontinued, hence its elevated price) As you can see, the Lego Education Brick Set has some serious bang for its buck. It’s a medium size kit, with 11 sizes and 9 colors. The bricks are pretty basic, but that’s the best place to start. I get the most use out of basic shapes, because they are so versatile. Specialized pieces often have just one purpose, and don’t get used as much. The next thing I needed was a plate. Plates are the foundation that you build your creations on. It’s possible to build on a table, but plates make the whole experience simpler and more fun. Lego makes two 10″ plates, one in green for general use, and one in blue for water scenes. Generally you can find one for about five bucks. There is also an XL gray plate, which measures 15″, but it runs around $15 right now. I own just one green plate, and it is worth its weight in gold. Honorable mention goes to the Brick Separator.
Another thing that is invaluable. Saves me so much trouble when disassembling. Though these are often included in specialty kits for free. The last thing I needed was minifigs. There are hundreds of options. As a matter of fact, according to xkcd, there will be more minifigs in the world than people by the year 2019! Where to start then? This is definitely not a case for the basics. I wanted my minifigs to be special, ones I’d like looking at forever. Since Rory is my favorite character in (I mean, how could I not like a total dork with the same name as me?), I got the Series 10 Roman Commander (read: Centurion). The kids then surprised me with a pile of parts from old minifigs that they didn’t want any more. This was great because I was able to make a few that I liked, and have the ability to change things up. After that, the sky (read: wallet) was the limit. There are so many themed kits it would take an enormous amount of money to get them all. I suggest ignoring sets like the ones, for example, because the scenes are not versatile at all.
This makes me sad, because I love everything. I just don’t have room in my house for a permanent installment of Krang’s Lab, and it’s not fun (for me) to keep building the same thing over and over again. There are a couple of exceptions. If you love one of the kits so much that it’s worth its own place in your home, buy away. GeekMom Jenny has three Lego Architecture sets that have their own shelf in her office. Also, Lego Creator sets are somewhere between free form and regular kits. Each of them makes three things officially. I love the LEGO Creator Fierce Flyer 31004, which has three official builds: an eagle, a beaver, and a scorpion. The only rule of buying Lego products is to never buy something you won’t use. If that means you never buy basic kits because you’d prefer to build a Lego Delorean, that’s okay! Buy things you love, so you will get the most out of them. One last thought: If you are buying for your kids, let them help pick out the pieces they want.
Our kids keep a running list of which sets they might like to have. This is mostly so they know what they want to buy with monetary gifts, and so we know which sets to buy them as a surprise or as a gift. (Kit prices are current as of 11/21/2016) Available from these sellers. Used & new (19) from $99.90 LEGO Ultimate Building Set - 405 Pieces (6166) (Discontinued by manufacturer) This new tub features a great assortment of LEGO bricks and elements. When your toddler has graduated from the Duplo stage and is ready to take the next step in his, or her, Lego journey, the Lego Ultimate Building Set is the ideal graduation gift. With 405 pieces stored in a durable plastic box with a see-through top, this set is the perfect place to let children continue to explore their imagination and engineering skills. The Lego Ultimate Building Set contains many small pieces and is designed for kids ages four and older.With 405 pieces, this Legos starter kit allows your child to build a variety of different things.
Use wheel elements to build a car. Kit includes one mini figurine. The Ideal Lego Starter KitThe Lego Ultimate Building Set includes everything a child needs to take the first steps to becoming an expert Lego builder. It includes one mini figurine, a building plate, and a wide mix of standard bricks in various colors as well as house and wheel elements.Following the included instructions and using pieces in the starter kit, kids can build a house, helicopter, dog, and car. The only flaw is that the instructions may be challenging for younger children, and require adult assistance.As is the case with virtually every Lego set, your child will be limited only by his, or her, imagination and perseverance. Although the kit is designed for younger children graduating from Lego Duplos, you can be confident that your child will never actually grow out of the Ultimate Building Set. All of the pieces can be incorporated into future Lego collections.What's in the Box405 standard Lego pieces with house and wheel element, mini figurine, durable plastic storage case, and instructions.
Large Brick Box At a Glance:405 standard Lego pieces allow for endless number of creationsComes with durable plastic box for storageStandard pieces will fit and work with all future Lego collectionsInstructions included for building house, helicopter, car, and moreAge/Weight Requirements:Four years and upLEGO Pieces:405 LEGO elements See all Product Description 9 x 15.1 x 7.6 inches Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues. 4 - 12 years #38,876 in Toys & Games (See Top 100 in Toys & Games) #639 in Toys & Games > Preschool > Pre-Kindergarten Toys > Activity > Building Sets #1,250 in Toys & Games > Building & Construction Toys > Building Sets 4.7 out of 5 stars 5 star77%4 star14%3 star6%2 star1%1 star2%See all verified purchase reviewsTop Customer ReviewsReally Great Starting SetImagination and possibilities are endless with these LegosI bought this LEGO Ultimate Building Set with 405 Pieces in it for my son for Christmas.