Whether you dream of competing on Lego Masters or you just like to tinker around and revel in the building process, Lego sets for adults are an awesome way to unwind, unplug and enjoy some quiet, creative downtime. Whether the kit has hundreds of pieces or thousands, the act of building a cool structure from all those little Lego bricks can be a great stress reliever and can even help you hone your mindfulness skills.
Fortunately, there's a Lego kit out there for any and every interest, it seems — from the biggest TV and movie fandoms to sweeping architectural cityscapes from around the globe — so you have plenty of Lego sets to choose from.
Unlike Trix, Lego are not just for kids. (Yes, even if you're old enough to remember that cereal commercial, silly rabbit.) In fact, there are premium Lego sets designed specifically for adults. Some are meant to be nostalgic callbacks to things we loved as kids and teens, like Super Mario Bros video games and '90s TV shows like Friends. Other Lego sets are simply too advanced for kids to build on their own, with a piece count in the five-digit range, in some cases.
If you're looking for a Lego set for adults, just know that you're not alone. There's actually an acronym to describe your interest in those colorful little building bricks: AFOLs, or adult fans of Lego. And, there's even a "blocumentary" dedicated to your craft, as well as tons of Facebook Lego groups and Reddit communities.
Lego sets for adults come in all shapes and forms, so the best choice for you really depends on your interests. Some of the best Lego sets for adults are those that act as sort of souvenirs of the places you've been. There are kits depicting famous landmarks like the White House, the Eiffel Tower, the Taj Mahal, the Disney Castle, the Empire State Building, and even Old Trafford, home of Manchester United Football Club. There are also kits that allow you to build iconic locales that you probably won't ever visit, like the Lego International Space Station.
There’s also a Lego art line with pieces that are designed to be built and hung on the wall like a framed canvas, and several special series of kits that are particularly fun for adults to put together and show off when completed. The Lego Botanical Collection, for example, allows for the creation of decor that's actually quite pretty, including brick-built orchids, floral bouquets, and more. There’s the Lego Technic line, as well, that includes lots of cool, true-to-life vehicles — like the Bugatti Chiron and Ford Mustang — with specialized pieces that create more functionality than your standard Lego brick, including tiny motors and pneumatic elements. Car enthusiasts would also enjoy the Lego creator kit that lets you build the Aston Martin made famous by the James Bond franchise.
The best Lego kits for adults, however, tend to have lots of pieces and present a fun challenge to put together. To ensure that the kit isn't too easy (and therefore a total snooze) for your skill level, you'll want to take a look at the recommended age on the front of the box. In 2020, Lego began using the designation "18+" for their more advanced Lego sets intended for adult builders. Previously, you might have seen these types of sets referred to as the Lego Creator Expert line, but in either case, you can expect these sets to have thousands of pieces. You may also find some Lego sets for adults that are listed as 16+ — these are usually older sets that pre-date the new 18+ designation but are likely to be a nice challenge for adults as well.
That said, there are plenty of great Lego kits for adults with a 12+ age designation too. Despite the age recommendation, these sets are typically not "childish" by any means. Rather, these 12+ sets are likely to have fewer pieces than those recommended for older ages, but they can still pose an equally fun challenge with stunning results that you'll be proud to put on display. They're also particularly great for adults who are just dipping their toe into Lego building, or those who might enjoy a more fast-paced project.
You'll find that many of the most coveted, best Lego sets for adults fall within certain fandoms, like Star Wars, Harry Potter, and Stranger Things. You'll also find Lego kits for adults that center around favorite characters like Minnie Mouse, Super Mario, Darth Vader, and Marvel Avengers superheroes like Iron Man. Some of these kits are hard to find due to a limited-edition run and can therefore be pretty expensive when you do spot them for sale (such as the Lego Star Wars Death Star II and Ultimate Collector's Millennium Falcon).
Over time, you may find some Lego sets for adults could yield a high return on the secondary seller market. And who knows, some Lego kits for adults might wind up being a better investment than stocks! There are some sites out there that can try to tell you what Lego sets will be worth money in the future but, of course, take everything with a grain of salt. (Remember Beanie Babies?) However, any kits belonging to a longstanding franchise — like Star Wars — are likely to be in demand well into the future.
While the 18+ designation doesn't necessarily denote that a Lego kit for adults will be particularly difficult, there are a handful of sets out there that are ideal if you're really up for a challenge. These include the Lego Ghostbusters Firehouse Headquarters, the Taj Mahal, the Bugatti Chiron, the Star Wars Millennium Falcon, and the Imperial Star Destroyer.
If you're finding a Lego set to be particularly difficult, though, there's an app for that! You can use the Lego Builder app for digital Lego building instructions on your smartphone or tablet. It not only shows step-by-step instructions for your build, but also allows you to rotate and zoom in on each Lego piece to get a better look at it than you ever could in the paper building instructions. It's a great ally to turn to if you get stuck in the course of building your set. However, some older Lego sets may not be in the app, so it can be hit or miss in that regard.
Whatever kit you choose to build, be sure to put your Lego art on display when you're done! You can even find LED light kits for some of the most popular Lego sets for adults, so you can illuminate your impressive effort and really show it off like the work of art that it is.
With over 11,000 pieces, this is the largest Lego set to date, culminating in a 41-inch by 25.5-inch collectible masterpiece to proudly hang on your wall. The flat, 2D nature of this kit also makes this one of the best Lego sets for puzzle lovers. (In that same vein, however, it could be a little boring for those accustomed to building more intricate, 3D Lego sculptures.) That said, it offers customizability when it comes to the oceans' colors, and you can build and rebuild three unique world map combinations to extend the fun. It even includes brick "pins” so you can mark places you've been or want to go! It also comes with a curated "world tour" playlist that you can listen to as you build, encouraging an even more immersive and relaxing experience.
We've already established that Lego kits for adults can promote mindfulness, but this one just might have you channeling your Jedi-like focus, too. The first in a series of collectible build-to-display helmet models, this brick-built replica of Luke Skywalker's iconic pilot headgear is the ultimate piece of memorabilia for Star Wars fans. It's under 700 pieces but it's packed with authentic details (like a built-in microphone, interior padding, and more), so you can immerse yourself in all the nostalgia without feeling like you've committed to a months-long project. It even includes an integrated display stand to help you proudly display your handiwork once complete. (Bonus: Pair it with the Darth Vader helmet building kit for a cute father-son moment!)
Gamers from the 1990s will love this nostalgia-packed cube from the classic Super Mario Bros game. Once built, the 7-inch cube folds out to reveal four super-detailed, microscale levels that will be instantly recognizable for any fans of the game: Peach's Castle, Bob-omb Battlefield, Lethal Lava Land, and Cool, Cool Mountain. It includes 10 microfigures of beloved characters, including Mario, Yoshi, Princess Peach, Chain Chomp, Big Bully, penguins, and more. It's also full of really cool hidden details — like an underground lava reveal and a flip-down Bowser platform — that are sure to delight your fellow Nintendo fans when you put this fun build on display.
Another Lego set for adults with iconic 1990s-era nostalgia, this brick-built replica of Central Perk cafe is a must-have collectible for fans of the TV show Friends. Build the studio set of the fictional New York coffee shop with awesome attention to detail — including the friends' beloved couch. Then, add in the included minifigures of Monica, Chandler, Ross, Rachel, Phoebe, Joey, and, of course, everyone's favorite coffee shop manager, Gunther. Each one also comes with a detailed accessory to recreate favorite scenes from the show. (A rousing rendition of "Smelly Cat" on Phoebe's guitar, anyone?)
Still hoping to wake up in a new Bugatti? Keep dreaming. However, you can settle for this brick-built version of the multimillion-dollar race car that's almost as cool. Build the epic Bugatti Chiron from the inside out, with a detailed W16 engine, working suspension, 8-speed gearbox, wheels, and brake discs. On the outside, it's got the classic duo-tone blue color scheme across its incredibly stylish, aerodynamic body. It even has functional steering (that is, you turn the steering wheel and the wheels actually move)! Overall, it's an awesome kit for car lovers and mechanics enthusiasts alike.
If you're sick of gifting flowers that just wilt and die after a few days, this unique Lego set for adults offers perennial beauty beyond the fun of putting the pretty set together. From the Lego Botanical Collection, this kit features vibrantly colored blooms and stems made completely from Lego pieces. Inspired by actual roses, poppies, asters, snapdragons, and daisies, unknowing visitors to your home might even mistake them for real flowers at first glance — they really are that pretty. Plus, the flowers are customizable; you can position the petals and leaves however you like, and you can even change the lengths of the stems to make the perfect floral arrangement for your favorite vase.
Calling all millennials: Assio your inner child with this epic Lego Harry Potter set. Build your own mini Hogwarts Castle and surrounding grounds, complete with intricate towers, the Chamber of Secrets, the Whomping Willow, Hagrid's Hut, and more from the wizarding world you grew up loving. It includes minifigures of the founders of the Harry Potter Houses themselves — Godric Gryffindor, Helga Hufflepuff Salazar Slytherin, and Rowena Ravenclaw — plus microfigures of foes like Aragog, the Basilisk, and Dementors. When complete, it stands 22 inches tall, 27 inches wide, and 16 inches deep, providing an awesome display on its own, or alongside your collection of other Lego Harry Potter sets or wizarding memorabilia.
If you're looking to build the mini version of some less magical, more traditional British architecture, this Lego London skyline set would be the perfect fit. It includes five of the city's most iconic landmarks: Big Ben, Tower Bridge, the National Gallery, Nelson's Column, and the London Eye. Standing just 5 inches high, 11 inches wide, and 3 inches deep when complete, this is a good starter kit for Lego newbies since it doesn't have an overwhelming number of pieces. That said, if you're looking for a particularly challenging Lego kit for adults, this isn't it; but it does make for a fun afternoon and some cool decor for those who hold London dear and want to recreate it as a Lego city.
Behold, the largest Lego Star Wars Millennium Falcon in existence! With over 7,500 pieces, this hefty sculpture measures 8 inches high, 33 inches long, and 22 inches wide when complete. It would make a pretty epic centerpiece for your Lego Star Wars display thanks to its true-to-the-movies exterior details (including a panel that pops down to reveal a blaster cannon). It also boasts plenty of interactive interior details, including the main hold seating area, Dejarik holographic game, engine room, two escape pod hatches and the cockpit. Plus, it includes two crews of minifigures to cater your Lego art display to your preferred era: the classic crew of Han Solo, Princess Leia, Chewbacca and C-3PO; and the crew of later episodes, with older Han Solo, Rey and Finn. You can also switch up small details to stay true to your preferred point in the franchise's timeline.