Since childhood, Legos have been a favorite toy of mine. While at the NYC Toy Fair, I was able to connect with my inner child and tour the Lego display with Matt and Lance from the NYC Dad’s Group. While there were many Lego sets that I enjoyed; here are 20 of my favorites in no special order. The first nine are available for purchase now. The other eleven won’t be available until later this year (so, unfortunately, I can’t show any pictures of them). Take my word for it – they are awesome.
Children ages 2-5 will get a kick out of putting together their very own Lego set. The My First Circus set is a great introductory set, since it includes bright colors and moveable Lego pieces.
This set is a step-up in age from the preschool sets, with a suggested age range of 6 and up. This is a great set to help children move towards more complicated assembly projects, without being so difficult they’ll give up. What makes this set so unique is that a child can build three different models from the same kit – a rocket ship, an airplane, and a jet. Three for the price of one!
3. Fierce Flyer
Similar to the Mini Skyflyer, this set can also be made into 3 different models; you can build a bird, a beaver, or a scorpion. The age range for this set is 7 and up.
Can you tell I like the 3-in-1 Lego sets? Thunder Wings is designed for ages 7 and up and provides its creator with the option of making a jet, a robot, or a car. These 3-in-1 sets are great for kids that quickly bore, because the variations will motivate them to build new models.
5. Fire Emergency and Fire Helicopter
These are 2 different sets, but since they follow a fire theme, I lumped them together on this list. Fire Emergency and Fire Helicopter are designed for children 5 and up. You can also purchase the Fire Station, which is designed for children 6 and up. These are the kinds of sets that I would’ve loved to have had when I was a kid, since they are interactive. Once they build the sets, children can spend hours playing with them.
6. Stephanie’s soccer practice
I’ve complained often about how some toy companies market inappropriate toys to girls. Not the case here. This soccer set is part of the Lego Friends line that I absolutely love. Kids can have Stephanie run drills with her soccer ball, goal, and cones and then treat Stephanie to a snack. That it comes with a little dog is an extra bonus.
Like the soccer set above, Emma’s Karate Class is also part of the Friends line. Emma can practice all of her moves in this set, including breaking some bricks. You want girl power? This set has it.
If you are not familiar with the Ninjago line, then you either do not have kids between the ages of 8 and 12 or you haven’t walked down the Lego aisle in the toy section. One look at this set and its obvious why children are going to love it. After constructing the visually interesting set, the child can battle with the included figurines.
The Star Wars Legos are my personal favorite. I love it when we are at the store and my son uses money he has earned to buy a set. And what would 2013 be without new Star Wars Legos? The Battle of Hoth set debuts, designed for ages 8 and up, and comes with several accessories including figures, a snowspeeder, tower cannon, and a speeder bike.
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And here are eleven more that you can anxiously anticipate later this year…
10. Constitution Train Chase
On July 3rd, The Lone Ranger Movie, starring Johnny Depp as Tonto, will be released. Two areas of my childhood will collide; Legos and The Lone Ranger will unite. The new line includes six different sets, capturing moments from the movie. My favorite is the Constitution Train Chase, designed for ages 8 and up. It comes with a circular train track, trains, figures, and a toppling water tower. Available April 2013.
11. Silver Mine Shootout
My second favorite Lone Ranger Lego set is the Silver Mine Shootout, designed for ages 9 and up. It includes an interactive mine set and figures – hours of explosive fun! Available April 2013.
12. Star Wars – Jabba’s Sail Barge
Every year, Lego comes out with an amazing Star Wars product that blows all other sets away. In past years, these included the Millennium Falcon and the Death Star. Jabba’s Sail Barge is this year’s must have Star Wars Lego toy. Along with the ship, the set comes with Jabba and other figures. My kids will have a lot of fun putting this item together and playing with it – I only hope they invite me to their playtime. This set is designed for ages 9 and up. Available August 2013.
13. Star Wars- AT-TE
For me, putting together ships and other large Lego designs are more fun that actually playing with them. My oldest son feels the same way. I look forward to putting the Lego Star Wars AT-TE action toy together with him. The AT-TE is designed for ages 9 and up. Available August 2013.
14. Star Wars – Republic Gun Ship
At 1,175 pieces, you’ll have a great time assembling the Star Wars Republic Gun Ship. It comes with a variety of figures and will be a great addition to the other Lego Star Wars Ships that have come out in the past. Collect and build all of them to have one colossal battle. This set is designed for ages 9 and up. Available August 2013.
15. My First Train Set
Lego-loving parents of children between the ages of 2 and 5 will love helping their children assemble this product and watching as they spend time interacting with this set. What pre-schooler wouldn’t love a colorful train on a real track? Available August 2013.
16. Skipper’s Flight School
I haven’t heard that much about the new Disney movie Planes, but I loved the first Cars movie and I’m kind of assuming it’s the same story, just in the air. Anyway, Legos are releasing sets in connection with the film. Skipper’s Flight School looked like a fun set designed for ages 2 and up. The child gets to set up a hangar, where Skipper teaches planes how to fly, and as in most Lego sets, other sets can be added to it to create a larger display. Available August 2013.
17. Service Truck
Whoever is lucky enough to own this item will enjoy giving their other Lego cars and trucks a lift when they have a misplaced or broken part. The Service Truck is designed for ages 10 and up. Available August 2013.
18. Cargo Terminal
This set includes an airplane, an air controller tower, service vehicles and an assortment of cargo and people. Putting the plane will be fun to put together for kids over XX years in age, and pretending to soar the skies with it will provide a lot of entertainment for your child. Available August 2013.
19. Coast Guard Patrol
Similar to the Cargo Terminal and also designed for children 5 and older, this is a very cool set that will be fun to assemble and play with long after assembly. The set includes a large ship, a raft, helicopter, light house, and a variety of service men. Available August 2013.
20. King’s Castle
King’s Castle is part of the amazing Castle line, so believe me when I say how cool this set will be for your child 7 and up. At close to one thousand pieces, this still easy to assemble toy will delight any child that enjoys pretending to be a knight in shining armor. Available August 2013.