The best Lego sets aren't just the ones that will make your kids squeal with delight once they see the box. The true mark is how they put it together and how long they enjoy it once the initial building is done. Most sets give a blueprint with simple, step-by-step instructions. While some kids follow these instructions to the letter, others see them as guidelines and free-build their way to something completely unique."The beauty of Lego is that you can do both: you can slavishly follow the set instructions, one step at a time, or you can chuck them aside and create something entirely new," says Dr. Jon Sutton, a Lego enthusiast and the managing editor of "The Psychologist" for the British Psychological Society. "Some people bemoan the fact that the sets [are] more about building the latest movie tie-in than it used to be. I'm not sure I agree: it's good for kids to have the opportunity to do both set and free-building, and in my experience they do. And when I see how my boys play with Lego -- together, constructively, literally building on each other's ideas -- it makes all the money I've spent on Legos feel worthwhile!"
While the branded sets come and go based on popularity of movies and licensed characters, the best ones are the free-building sets that keep kids and adults coming back, according to Karen Nolan, who handles public relations for Lego. "Lego City, Lego Friends, Lego Star Wars, Lego Duplo and Lego Classic have been some of our best sellers this year -- in fact, year over year."Pick up some of those top toys, or try one of these best Lego sets for kids:1) Lego Juniors Fire SuitcaseThe Lego Juniors Fire Suitcase is a great carrying case for fun with vehicles and mini figures on the go.2) Lego Juniors Pirate Treasure Hunt SetKids get a quick start and lots of imaginative play options with the Lego Juniors Pirate Treasure Hunt Set.3) Lego Classic Medium Creative Brick BoxStart your kids' collection with the 484 assorted pieces, a storage box and building ideas found in the Lego Classic Medium Creative Brick Box.4) Lego Education Community Mini FiguresCreated for the school setting, the Lego Education Community Mini Figures set satisfies even the most Lego-obsessed kid out there, letting them build their own people to populate all of their worlds.5) Lego Education Vehicles SetStart at the beginning with all the transportation vehicles your children can imagine in this 934-piece Lego Education Vehicles Set.
At just over $100, the price tag seems hefty but you'll never have to buy a Lego City set again.6) Lego Friends Heartlake Shopping MallA complete experience for hours of building and pretend play, the Lego Friends Heartlake Shopping Mall is perfect for a kid who's into shopping.7) Lego City Camper VanImagination and adventure await with the Lego City Camper Van, which also comes with a canoe.8) Lego Magikus Board GameBuild and play the best Lego Magikus Board Game, which also happens to be magic-themed.9) Lego Superheroes Batman: Man-Bat AttackEvery Batman fan needs a Batcopter and Batman figure. The Lego Superheroes Batman: Man-Bat Attack comes complete with villains and a crisis scenario.10) Lego Creator Treehouse 3-in-1Treehouse, lakeside hut, farmyard barn -- let the kids decide with the Lego Creator Treehouse 3-in-1.11) Lego Creator Power MechThe Lego Creator Power Mech features 3-in-1 transformation from a giant robot to a helicopter and a pickup truck.12) Lego Superheroes Knowhere Escape Building SetKids dig deep into "Guardians of the Galaxy" with the Lego Superheroes Knowhere Escape Building Set.
It includes a trap door, catapult, poseable figures and lots of weaponry.13) Lego Star Wars AT-AT SetFans of Star Wars will love creating their own interactive armored snow vehicle, complete with weapons and snow troopers, in the Lego Star Wars AT-AT set.14) Lego Mindstorms Robotics Invention SystemThe hefty cost prices this amazing programmable Lego Mindstorms Robotics Invention System kit off the mass market but it pops up in schools and organizations for an introduction to robotics.15) Lego Master Builder Academy Set Robot & Micro DesignerThe helps your kid become a master builder with handbooks filled with tips and tricks from the actual designers at Lego."Lego is so easy to put together that even very young children can do it," says Dr. Sutton. "Immediately they are in a world of order and chaos, rules and no rules, where a collection of simple studded bricks can become a dragon, a racing car or a double-decker couch!"Want more toy suggestions? Check out the toy guides at Citrus Lane for suggestions that are sure to be a hit with your little one.
Cara Stevens is a freelance writer living in Connecticut with her husband and two children. She has authored several books for children and writes frequently about parenting, hair care, DIY crafts, food and healthy living.These official Lego sets contain all the parts and instructions required to build a Lego model. Lego sets have been around since the 1960s and with many new sets released each year, there is a huge selection to choose from. We mainly specialise in hard to find older sets, usually no longer in production and not available in the high street. This is also the section where you will find our very own custom Lego sets. These come in humbler packaging than official Lego sets but if you're interested in building your own Rasperry Pi case or iPhone dock among other things, they're worth checking out. LEGO Geonosian Cannon Set 9491 LEGO Dynamic Duo Funhouse Escape Set 6857 LEGO Medieval Market Village Set 10193 LEGO Mos Eisley Cantina Set 75052 LEGO Rhino and Sandman Super Villain Team-Up Set 76037
LEGO Hulk's Helicarrier Breakout Set 6868 LEGO Service Truck Set 42008 LEGO The Council of Elrond Set 79006 LEGO Wookiee Gunship Set 75084 LEGO Darkseid Invasion Set 76028 LEGO Spider-Man's Doc Ock Ambush Set 6873 LEGO MTT Set 75058 LEGO Superman Black Zero Escape Set 76009 LEGO Mia's Lemonade Stand Set 41027 LEGO Lighthouse Island Set 5770 LEGO Iron Man Extremis Sea Port Battle Set 76006 LEGO Hot Rod Set 42022 LEGO Imperial Star Destroyer Set 75055 LEGO Mini Sebulba's Podracer and Anakin's Podracer Set 4485 LEGO Seasonal Winter Village Cottage Set 10229 LEGO The Knight Bus Set 4866 LEGO The Batcave Set 6860 LEGO Man-Bat Attack Set 76011 LEGO The Joker Set 4527 LEGO The White House Set 21006 LEGO AV-7 Anti-Vehicle Cannon Set 75045 LEGO AT-DP Set 75083 LEGO Disco Batman, Tears of Batman Set 30607 LEGO Droid Gunship Set 75042 LEGO Spider-Man Daily Bugle Showdown Set 76005
LEGO Seasonal Gingerbread House Set 40139 LEGO Black Manta Deep Sea Strike Set 76027 LEGO HH-87 Starhopper Set 75024 LEGO Kai's Mini Dragon Set 30422 LEGO An Unexpected Journey: Dol Guldur Battle Set 79014 LEGO Container Truck Set 42024 LEGO Battle at the Black Gate Set 79007 LEGO Captain America vs. Hydra Set 76017 LEGO Elite Clone Trooper and Commando Droid Battle Pack Set 9488 LEGO Superman Battle of Smallville Set 76003 LEGO Jurassic World Dilophosaurus Ambush Set 75916 LEGO The Battle of Naboo Set 7929 LEGO Parrot Set 30472 LEGO The Bat vs. Bane Tumbler Chase Set 76001 LEGO Z-95 Headhunter Set 75004 LEGO Toy Workshop Box Christmas Limited Edition Set 40106 LEGO Jedi Interceptor Set 75038 LEGO Dareth vs. Ninja Battle Pack Set 5002144 LEGO Jungle Rescue Base Set 41038 LEGO Age Of Ultron: Attack On Avengers Tower Set 76038 LEGO Helicopter Arrest Set 60009 LEGO Spider-Man Spider-Cycle Chas Set 76004