The Best Legos for Girls and Boys Alike!
Legos are one of the BEST toys for kids — yes, all kids — boys and girls alike. But with hundreds and hundreds (no joke) of sets to choose from, is it possible to narrow down a shortlist of the best Lego sets for girls and boys alike?
It is indeed! But first, let's consider why are Legos are so phenomenal.
Playing with Legos is an extension of the block-building skills your child may (or may not) have mastered as a toddler. (Check out my post on Important Life Skills for Kids, by Age.)
The next step is creating bigger, taller, and more complex constructions, which Lego, with its interlocking capabilities, allows for. Role-playing is also thrown into the mix.
If play is the work of children, as renowned psychologist and child-development expert Jean Piaget believed, then toys are the tools of children. Within that model, we could argue that Legos are children's master tool sets, given how enriching and invaluable they are.
Let’s break down the benefits of Legos.
The Benefits of Legos
Legos Encourage:
- STEAM skills (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics)
- Creativity
- Story- and world-building
- Vision and execution
- Problem-solving
- Pattern-finding
- Improvisation
- Dexterity and eye-hand coordination
- Frustration-management (say, when your Lego construction collapses...)
- And more…
Legos are also fantastic gifts because they’re never redundant. Children can just add new pieces to their existing sets.
Are Legos for Girls?
Yes, Legos are for girls. Without a doubt. Lego recently came out with sets designed specifically for girls called “Lego Friends.” And while these :Lego girl sets” are fantastic in many ways, I’m here to tell you that the non-Lego Friends Legos are also for girls.
When I was growing up (in the '90s), Legos were very much gendered as boys’ toys. My parents are pretty progressive people, but still, we didn’t have Legos in the house until my brother came around.
Lego Friends: "Legos for Girls"
Apart from Lego’s desire to capitalize on a gap in the market, the company probably (hopefully) wanted to help spread the joy of Lego beyond the male realm when they created Lego Friends. I can certainly understand how many girls might be more attracted to the brighter array of pink and purple blocks, and to the , etc., offered by Lego Friends. I also appreciate the addition of female figures. But you certainly do not need to limit yourself to Lego Friends if you’re looking for Legos for girls. You’ll be missing out on a lot of other rich options!
So while Lego Friends are to be admired for many reasons, we don’t want to put girls in a box. Girls can play with whatever Legos they find appealing, regardless of whom they might be marketed to.
What Are the Ages Ranges for Legos?
Legos are intended for children ages 4 years and over. Most sources give the upper limit as 12/14 years old, but let’s be honest, even big kids love Legos (for example, my 38-year-old husband). So don’t let the number 12 put you off. Even high-schoolers will still find Legos enthralling.
Some of the Lego sets are more advanced, so you'll want to make sure the age given on the set isn't too far afield from your child's age.
If your child is under the age of 4, stick with Duplos (ages 1 1/2 to 5). They don’t pose a choking hazard the way the smaller Lego pieces do.
And now, for the moment you’ve been waiting for, here are the top Legos for all kids, girls and boys, based on extensive research and conversations with parent friends.
The Best Lego Starter Sets
It may sound counterintuitive, but you might want to reserve the Starter Sets for the child who already has Legos. That’s because some children might need a Themed Set (see below) to really “get” what Lego is all about. From there, they can move on to a Starter Set.
Of course, there’s no right or wrong way to play with Legos, and every child is different, so you can certainly begin with a Lego-less child with a Lego Starter Set. These more generic sets will prove essential to future creative explorations with Lego.
Some Starter Sets are legit massive, with over 790 or even 1,600 pieces. Unless you’re catering to a tribe of small humans, I’d stick with something a bit more manageable.
(1) Classic Medium Creative Brick Box & (2) Classic Creative Suitcase
The two favorites among the parents I polled were the 484-piece set known as the Classic Medium Creative Brick Box, and the 213-piece set, known as the Classic Creative Suitcase.
Both offer an array of brick sizes, shapes, and colors to help your child get started.
(3) LEGO Classic Green Baseplate
The only thing these sets are missing is the Lego Classic Baseplate — the green (lawn-like) foundation that prevents your child’s creations from breaking apart. Definitely add this important piece to the mix.
The Best Lego Themed Sets
A themed set can really open your child’s eyes to the vast possibilities offered by Lego. In fact, a themed set that aligns with your child’s interests might be the perfect gateway to Lego.
Familiarity can breed connection, so choose a theme that you know will light up your child’s soul!
The below themed sets were chosen on the basis of the most popular interests among children.
(1) LEGO Disney Frozen II Elsa’s Jewelry Box Creation (6+)
With this kit, kids get to build a functioning, Frozen-inspired jewelry box. One especially cool feature is the turntable upon which Elsa and Nokk (a water spirit) spin, which your child will be guided to make. Drawers that pull out and extensive decorative elements make for a very satisfying project.
(2) LEGO Minecraft The Bee Farm (8+)
The uber popular Xbox video game Minecraft has been adapted into Lego sets! And it makes perfect sense, as the two really do go hand-in-hand.
Minecraft is all about creating new worlds with fantastical structures that are populated by forces and figures that interact and, at times, combat. Sounds very much like Lego.
One of the most popular Minecraft themed Lego sets is the Bee Farm, which abounds with role-play possibilities. I love that it’s also a “gender neutral” theme (in traditional terms) that boys and girls alike will find appealing and stimulating.
(3) LEGO Friends Heartlake City Hospital (6+)
OK, remember how I wrote that Lego Friends were designed as Legos for girls but also explained that girls will find non-Lego Friends Lego sets appealing, too? Well, same goes for Lego Friends and boys.
I know of a bunch of boys who love Lego Friends as much as their female counterparts. This Lego Friends Heartlake City Hospital kit is an especially big hit. My son, for examples, adores it and loves acting out scenarios like bringing patients to the hospital in the ambulance (included in the kit). It comes with three figures (one male, two female, including Dr. Maria) and a range of medical equipment to tinker with.
(4) LEGO Harry Potter Hogwarts Express (8+)
Harry Potter lovers will go bonkers for this set — yes, because it’s Harry Potter–themed, but also because it contains a train. Which actually means that most kiddos will love this kit.
The Hogwarts train, which features an engine and a carriage with 4 seats, can pass under a railway bridge that adjoins the infamous Platform 9 ¼ at London’s Kings Cross Station. Last but not least, the whole gang is represented, including Harry, Ron, and Hermione, among others.
(5) LEGO Marvel Spider-Man: Spider-Man vs. Doc Ock (6+)
What is a “best of” Lego list without the inclusion of a Marvel-themed set? Among the most beloved Marvel characters is Spiderman, who features in this amazing set.
With their awesome 2-in-1 motorcycle (which turns into a giant walking spider!), Spiderman and Spider-Girl face off against their evil nemesis Doc Ock (short for “Octopus”), with his 4 robotic arms!
(6) LEGO City Ice-Cream Truck (5+)
If you’re in the market for an easy-to-build themed set, look no further than this Lego City Ice-Cream Truck. This fun, whimsical set will appeal to a wide range of children... because who can resist ice cream? Add in a vehicle and you have a true winner. This set also includes an ice cream lady, a dog, and a skateboarder figure.
Vanilla with choco sprinkles, please!
The Best Lego Sets for Girls and Boys Alike
I hope this round up of the best Lego sets for kids has been useful. If your child is new to Lego, my top tip would be to consider starting with a Themed Set that you know your child will get excited about.
My second tip would be not to limit yourself to Lego Friends sets if you're looking for Legos for girls. Sure, the child you have in mind might go bananas for one of these Lego girl sets, but there is a vast world of Lego beyond these that she might find even more appeals. So if you're in the market for Legos for girls, make sure to check out the full range that Lego has to offer.
Related Read: Practical Life Skills for Kids by Age