For more than 50 years, LEGO sets have been a fail-safe gift for Christmas. They’re fun, creative, colourful and educational — what’s not to love? With that in mind, here are some of the hottest sets available right now for every budget. Whether you’re buying for kids, brick hobbyists or fans of a certain movie franchise, you’ll find something for them in this guide.
In partnership with the Toshiba Radius 12 — where every feature is its best — Lifehacker’s Gift Guides will help you pick the best present for your loved one
There’s no getting around it: LEGO ain’t cheap. We’ve subsequently divided our gift guide into price categories, ranging from “Cheap” ($20) to “Exxy” (over $120). Most links go directly to LEGO’s Australian e-store, but you might be able to find slightly better deals by hunting around online. Good luck!
Cheap
LEGO Classic Gift Wrap [$6.99]
People know they’re getting LEGO as soon as they shake the present — so you might as well give the game away with some themed wrapping paper.
Mixels [$5.99]
LEGO’s latest stab at the kiddie market is a series of collectible characters created in conjunction with the Cartoon Network. There are 18 characters to choose from: an ideal stocking stuffer for ages 6 and up.
LEGO Dimensions Fun Packs [$20]
This year, LEGO joined the likes of Skylanders and Amiibos with a “toys-to-life” gaming range. The sets and tie-in video game feature characters from a variety of different franchises including The Simpsons, Lord of the Rings, Doctor Who, DC Comics and more. These standalone fun packs can either be added digitally into the LEGO Dimensions video game or just played with like normal LEGO.
Super Soarer [$15.99]
When in doubt, buy a LEGO jet. This set contains 100 pieces and can be crafted into three different vehicles. Suitable for ages 6-12.
Wonder Woman Keylight [$19.99]
Okay, so this is technically a LEGO-shaped key chain light but it’s still pretty cool.
Moderate ($60 – $120)
Wall-E [$69.99]
Wall-E is arguably Pixar’s best film to date. If you know any die-hard fans, this is the LEGO set to get them. Consisting of 676 separate pieces, it will keep them busy until lunch. The finished robot is posable and even comes with working tracks. Suitable for ages 12 and up.
LEGO Tardis [$79.99]
You can finally get Doctor Who’s iconic time machine in LEGO form! The set comes with the Tardis (interior and exterior), the Doctor (Peter Capaldi), Clara, two Daleks and a Weeping Angel. It comprises 623 pieces and is suitable for ages 11 and up.
Louvre [$89.99]
Here’s one for the art-loving LEGO fan: a meticulous reconstruction of the Louvre Museum in Paris made from 695 bricks. (Mona Lisa not included!) Suitable for ages 12 and up.
Large Creative Brick Box [$89.99]
Some LEGO addicts prefer to toss the instructions aside and build their own creations. If you know anyone like this, the Creative Brick Box is the gift to get them: it packs in 1500 bricks and special pieces that can be assembled into anything that takes the builder’s fancy.
LEGO Dimensions Starter Pack [$119.99]
LEGO Dimensions is a new video game that is compatible with real LEGO toys — the physical sets you buy can be added into the game. But to join the fun, you’ll need the base game. The LEGO Dimensions starter pack retails for $119.99 and is available on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and Wii U.
Jurassic World T-Rex Tracker [$119.99]
Jurassic World made around a zillion dollars at the box office, so there’s a fair-to-strong chance that the kiddies in your life are big fans. LEGO has released multiple sets based on the movie but it’s hard to look past the iconic T-rex. The 520-piece set also comes with a trap-shooting tracker vehicle, dino cage, three minifigures and a motorbike. Suitable for ages 7-12.
Santa’s Workshop [$119.99]
As a Christmas gift, this one’s a no-brainer. The 883-piece set includes a festive Christmas workshop,a toy conveyor belt, Santa’s sleigh, a reindeer, Christmas tree, myriad elves and the big man himself. Suitable for ages 12 and up.
Exxy ($120+)
LEGO City Space Port [$129.99]
Space LEGO was always my favourite as a kid. This new version takes a slightly more realistic take on space travel — you get a shuttle with detachable fuel tank and boosters, a mobile launchpad, a service car, a countdown board and five minifigures. It comprises 586 pieces and is suitable for ages 6-12.
Jokerland [$179.99]
This is the ultimate LEGO set for Bat-fans. It comes with Joker’s trap-filled theme park, a Batmobile and a selection of heroes and villains from the comics. Suitable for ages 8-14.
Millenium Falcon [$249.99]
The new Star Wars film hits cinemas a few days before Christmas, which makes this the go-to LEGO set for fans of the franchise. Based on the new movie, the set includes the iconic ship, an aged version of Han Solo, Chewbacca and a handful of Star Wars: The Force Awakens figures. Suitable for ages 7-12.
Boba Fett’s Slave 1 [$299.99]
Slave 1 is the spaceship piloted by the ruthless bounty hunter Bobba Fett in Star Wars: Attack Of The Clones. It comes with fold-out weapons, a display stand, a Boba Fett figure, Han Solo in carbonite, an Imperial Guard and a Stormtrooper. The set comprises 1996 pieces and is suitable for ages 14 and over.
Kwik-E-Mart [$329.99]
The line “who needs a bricky-mart?” from that old Simpsons episode finally makes sense. The 2179-piece set is a fold-out version of the fictional mini-mart and comes with a police car, Apu, Snake, Chief Wiggum, Homer, Bart and Marge. Suitable for ages 12 and up.
Sydney Opera House [$399.99]
Want something a little closer to home? This 2989-piece set will take pride of place in any pool room. Suitable for ages 16 and up.
SHIELD Helicarrier [$499.99]
Fittingly, the enormous flying aircraft carrier from The Avengers is one of the biggest and most expensive LEGO sets on the market, second only to the Death Star. The box contains a 2996 separate pieces and is suitable for ages 16 and over.
Comments
14 responses to “The Best LEGO Sets To Get This Christmas”
I somehow doubt the kwik-e-mart is a 71016 piece set, nor does the Helicarrier contain 76042 pieces – those are the Lego set numbers. 🙂
For $330 it should come with 71,000 pieces.
I think there is confusion over the number of pieces and the item codes. The Large Creative Brick Box, for example, has about 1500 pieces – 10697 is actually the item code.
Thanks for the spot, guys. Those items have been updated.
Also Bart’s line in the song is “Let’s hurl a bricky-mart”
Nothing from Technic or Mindstorms? At least mention the Ferrari F40 if we’re just sticking to the traditional Lego and licence tie-ins.
So, Lego between $20 and $60 doesn’t exist? Pretty sure you missed a massive chunk of the gift market right there.
Now come on guys. Surely you’re star wars geeky enough to know that Jango Fett piloted Slave 1 in Attack of the Cones! Boba Fett piloted it in Empire Shrikes Back, and since this has Han, a classic Stormtrooper and Imperial Guard it would have to be based on Empire.
that Helicarrier…..
{salivates at the mouth AND the pants}
I know a guy who spends all his income on Lego. He has this – it is awesome.
so jelly right now…
Two minor things with shopping from the Lego website:
Shipping is stupidly expensive unless you spend over $200.
If you go with the standard shipping, you should have had your orders in about a week ago to be sure you’ll get stuff in time. It comes from overseas, I have NEVER gotten anything quicker than 14 days, and it’s usually around 17.