Getting back into LEGO as an adult: themes, buying sensibly and space to build
TUREFF• •0
Plenty of people put their bricks away as teenagers and come back to them years later. Fans even have a name for the gap: the dark ages. If you are emerging from yours, the hobby you return to looks rather different. LEGO (a trademark of the LEGO Group) now designs a large range of sets aimed squarely at adults, there is a huge second-hand market, and online tools make it easy to track what you own. This guide covers where to start without filling the spare room or emptying your bank account.
Know what you enjoy before you buy
Adults come back for different reasons, and the reason should shape what you buy.
- Display models: large, detailed sets meant to sit on a shelf. Look at the ranges aimed at adults, which include buildings, vehicles, famous landmarks, flowers and plants, and framed mosaics.
- Mechanical building: if you liked how things worked as a child, Technic sets with gears, steering and gearboxes may suit you better than display pieces.
- Creative building: if what you really miss is making your own things, a big tub of mixed parts or second-hand bulk lots may give you more than any single set.
- Nostalgia: many people want the sets they had, or wanted, as children. These are usually available second-hand, and some themes have been revisited with new versions.
- Mindfulness: some adults simply like following instructions for an hour in the evening. Smaller sets give that without a big commitment.
Buying sensibly
LEGO is not a cheap hobby, but it does not need to be ruinous.
- Set a budget per month and keep a short wishlist. The flood of new releases makes impulse buying very easy.
- Wait for offers on sets you want but do not need straight away. Retailers discount regularly, and sets usually stay on sale for a while before they retire.
- Buy second-hand with care. Used sets are often good value. Ask whether the set is complete, whether the instructions and minifigures are included, and look closely at photos for yellowed, scratched or chewed pieces.
- Be wary of treating sets as an investment. Some retired sets rise in value, many do not, and storage, boxes and selling fees all eat into any gain. Buy what you want to build.
- Keep receipts and register sets where offered, in case you need to contact customer service about missing or faulty parts.
If a piece is missing from a new set, LEGO's customer service has a replacement parts service on its website. For individual parts more generally, LEGO's own Pick a Brick service sells new elements, and independent marketplaces sell new and used parts from sellers around the world.
Making room to build
You do not need a dedicated room. You do need a few things.
- A flat, well-lit surface at a comfortable height. Building hunched over a coffee table gets old quickly.
- Trays or shallow bowls to tip each numbered bag into, so small pieces do not roll off and vanish into the carpet.
- A plan for finished models. Decide in advance where a large set will go, and measure the shelf. Display sets can be much bigger than they look in photos.
- Dust control. Closed cabinets or clear display cases cut down on cleaning. Keep finished models out of strong direct sunlight, which over time can fade colours and yellow white and grey bricks.
Reconnecting with the community
Adult fans have clubs, conventions and forums in many countries, and there are online databases where you can log every set you own and see what parts you have. Local fan groups often hold building meetups and public exhibitions, which are a good way to see what other people make and to pick up tips.
A sensible first step
If you are unsure where to begin, buy one mid-sized set in a theme that appeals to you, build it slowly, and notice which parts you enjoyed. That tells you more about where to go next than any list of recommendations.
What brought you back to LEGO, and what was your first set as an adult? Share your experience or questions in the comments.