People don’t always outgrow what they love. That’s true for many Lego fans. But if you’re not an AFOL—an Adult Fan of Lego—and this is your first time getting a set, here’s helpful advice on buying these bricks, owning, them, storing, them, and more. With plenty of hacks and tips on the market for a rookie Lego collector, you might be on your way to building elaborate sets soon.
Pick Something Simple
The usual advice for parents when they check out Lego gift sets is to pick one according to the age range. If you’re shopping for yourself, consider simple sets. You could increase the complexity with every set you buy, so it’s a steady and gradual process until you’re ready for complex builds. Some go for the complex builds first, and they get frustrated when they finally realise the time and effort the sets take. That’s why starting slow is an excellent strategy. It helps you get into the right mindset, allowing you to enjoy more of the process. You also learn that patience is a huge part of getting to the finish line.
Look for Themes You Like
Nowadays, it’s easy to find Lego gift sets from your favourite movies or TV shows. From Star Wars merchandise to Batman, Harry Potter, and more, many sets hit the mark for many collectors. It’s no wonder collecting sets of these bricks can get absurdly expensive. But that’s also the power of nostalgia. Companies that understand that create products that people love. That’s how they make super fans out of their customer base. If you loved Batman and Lego as a kid, a Batman Lego set is the perfect gift. It’s not just a toy but a trip to the past, a lovely trip down memory lane, bringing back all those times when you binged on the X-Files or the early Star Wars films, like any other 90s kid.
Make Plans
An elaborate build takes time. It can take weeks or months, depending on how ambitious your idea is. Set aside a few hours a week to work on your set. You can also complete it section by section until you see the design fully emerge from the chaos. That moment is always so rewarding, especially when you start seeing the work emerge from what used to be only a pile of bricks. It’s like magic. You finally see your vision fully realised in 3D Lego.
Invest in Loose Bricks
These days, you’ll find plenty of Lego sets with specialised features. Castles have turrets. There are actual roofs. There’s a garden. But if you love old-school Lego, you might want to turn to loose bricks and create your own versions of a castle, garden, or roof. That’s where you can let your imagination run wild. With loose bricks, you’re free to build anything. Whether it’s a dinosaur, a time warp hole, or a haunted house, creating your versions instead of choosing ready-made options adds more excitement and fun to the process.
Consider Distraction Sets
People don’t live in a vacuum. If you have family and they often come over, that means hiding your elaborate builds or taking measures to protect them from your nieces and nephews. Buying a few Lego gift sets as a distraction can help keep the kids entertained and away from your elaborate builds. That’s a win-win. They get a new toy and you prevent yours from being destroyed. You could go with a set that features dinosaurs. That’s always a hit. What about dragons or worms? Animals and houses or structures—like farms, schools, and more—tend to be popular with kids. With these sets handy, you can keep the kids busy with their builds. Starting them young on Lego is an excellent way to teach them patience, too. The next time the kids pay a visit, they’ll remember how much fun they had. That’s a fondness for Legos they might carry well into their adulthood. Kudos on creating the next generation of superfans.
Clean and Sort Your Bricks
Learn more about cleaning your loose Lego pieces. Keep it free of spills, stains, pet hair, and dirt. Sort and store them into a collection to make it easier to find what you need when you start another project. There are plenty of toy storage ideas—from simple to advanced options—to help you organise your pile. Explore a ton of sorting methods online. You’ll find plenty, so finding ones that support the way your brain works should be easy.
Check Space Limitations
Remember to consider how much space you have. You might need to be creative to maximise vertical space in your home. That way, you can store as many of your sets as you like. Some have a unified storage system while others have glass cases to display their builds. Consider which options suit you. Use furniture straps to anchor models to the wall for extra caution.
