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Question about Lego recommended ages

12 replies

nomorespaghetti · 16/01/2021 17:46

DD, who is 5 in a couple of weeks, built her first Lego set today by herself (with a little bit of guidance from me) Smile it was a Lego friends set that said age 4+ on the box. She’s never been that into building/duplo, preferring role/small world play, so I’m really pleased she built it and enjoyed it so much.

I want to get her a couple more Lego sets for her 5th birthday in a couple of weeks, but I’m wondering what age sets to get. The ones I know she’d love (Cinderella carriage and rapunzel tower) say age 6+ on the box. Is the age recommendation determined by the complexity of the build, size/number of the pieces, or difficulty of instructions? I don’t want to get her anything too tricky and put her off (her dexterity is good but the little pieces are so fiddly!)

We’ve inherited all my old Lego from my parents, which will be great for free building, but I’d like to get her interested by doing the sets first before bringing that out. She’s never wanted to free build with duplo before and I’m worried she’d ignore the huge mountain of Lego too, which would be awful as it’s an amazing collection!

Thank you

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inquietant · 16/01/2021 17:48

I always think just give them the whole lot and let them get on with it!

Mine went to a Lego club so just chose what they wanted.

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inquietant · 16/01/2021 17:50

The instructions on older sets are long, multi-step and have tiny bits.

I am unable to follow them Grin but the kids could do them younger than they said on the box. I think kids that do a lot of Lego get good at it, rather than it being specifically age.

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CaptainCarp · 16/01/2021 17:52

I think they are fairly accurate as they tend to go up in complexity of instructions or have more "fiddly bits". If she's built the other one by herself though she might be up for one that is outside the age just with a bit more input from you?

DSC is 6 & is only just getting into actually building it himself rather than saying he wants to build it & then getting in a strop because he won't follow the instruction so it's not working or misaligned a piece so it didn't quite lock together.
So he's still on stuff thats 4+ & we are keeping the few "older" things back for a year or so when hopefully he will actually build them.

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NoWordForFluffy · 16/01/2021 17:53

DS is 6 and can do 8+ sets. He's had loads of practice though.

If you're happy to build with her initially, 6+ will be fine.

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williowrosenburg · 16/01/2021 17:55

We got DD a load of Lego friends sets off off eBay.. think there was over 15 sets in a bundle.... all individually grouped with their instructions. Recommend looking on their as you can get some bargains!

Sadly our DD just likes to play worthy them and has very little patience for the building side of things!

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inquietant · 16/01/2021 17:57

This is why I think it is best to just freestyle at first as then there is less frustration.

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RicStar · 16/01/2021 17:57

5+ or 6+ sets are very likely to be fine imo.

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keeperswif · 16/01/2021 18:02

The Lego frozen sets are good to start and you can buy books on ideas to build which my two enjoy but to be honest they tend to build
It and it's turned into something else pretty quick but the love it

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Ilovemaisie · 16/01/2021 18:04

Once they come out of the 4+ theme (also known as Juniors) the recommended ages get a bit random. Some say 6 - 10, some 6 - 12 , some 4 - 99* and some might just say 6 (or whatever) +. I am currently building my Xmas sets. The Powerpuff Girls ones are 6 - 12, the Trolls one is 6+ and the Creator 3 in 1 Dragon is 7+ (I have very random Lego tastes).
I think she would get on fine with the Disney Princess, Friends or City sets that are 6+ (or 6 - 12). They are usually fairly straightforward and often include mini builds - ie instructions for building the furniture etc. This means it's lots of separate instructions and they are usually in numbered bags so you don't end up with a massive pile of bricks and long confusing instructions.
The main difference I find between 4+ and the next stage up is stickers. I hate ruddy stickers. I can never stick them straight. The 4+ sets have details printed on. The rest doesn't and you have to use stickers and they are small and fiddly. You will most likely have to do the stickers.

  • I am not looking forward to my 100th birthday when I assume I have to give all the Lego up. Every Lego fan I know laughs at that age recommendation. What happens at age 99 that means you can't do Lego? Grin
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Youvegotafriendinme · 16/01/2021 18:07

DS has just turned 4 and happily does the sets for 6+ by himself. He has a couple that say 9+ and he needs some guidance from us. He’s been playing Lego and duplo since he was about 1 though and happily sits there for hours with it. We also bought a large box of free style bricks for him to build what he wants which I would recommend

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nomorespaghetti · 16/01/2021 18:57

Great, thanks so much everyone!

I think I’ll get her the two 6+ sets I’ve got my eye on then, and scour eBay for some more friends sets. I think my parents might have a couple of my old Belleville (was that what is was called?!) sets for us to have a go with too.

I’d forgotten how ace Lego is!

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Stompythedinosaur · 16/01/2021 19:50

She'll be fine with a 6+ set imo.

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