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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask for help regarding LEGO?

90 replies

KissMyEmbroideryHoop · 20/07/2012 18:36

DD is nearly 8 and has never had any lego as I always felt it was bloody overpred and can't see the point in all those pre designed sets...you know...build Hogwarts for 50 quid....

She wants Lego for her birthday and I don't know what to do...I oved my set as a kid but it was basic...just bricks and windows etc...I found a deluxe box for thirty two pounds...looked good and basic...then I red the reviews ad they were all saying "My 4 year old son loved this"

Confused

Should I be buying some other form of lego? I really didn't want to buy those sets...I do NOT want to get her a pink box...or one of those bloody

"Happy-Twat Girly Vet Shack" sets that they do.

AIBU to not know what to get and to ask for help.

Probably yes...but there you have it! Grin

OP posts:
MrsReiver · 20/07/2012 19:47

The lego ideas book linked to above is fab, my DS is always making stuff out of it from his box of random bricks.

bleedingheart · 20/07/2012 19:50

I second Lego City & some boxes of the windows, wheels etc
Brickmaster books are great and often available online for about £12, you get the bricks and a book of ideas and instructions. These occupy my DS for a day at least (several times over). I recommend the Atlantis one.

The Lego Ideas Book is £5 in TKMaxx at the moment.

olibeansmummy · 20/07/2012 22:46

I also recommend the lego creator sets. That way she can build a few variations, but there's still the necessary parts to build 'something' iyswim.

WidowWadman · 20/07/2012 22:57

I'd definitely go for the Creator sets as a start. I love the light house, and the beach house.

I've got a couple of the Christmas village sets - I use them as a Christmas decoration, but I also really really enjoy building them.

squeakytoy · 20/07/2012 22:59

A lego kit usually has lots of different things that can be built from the one kit. The box may just show the "main" thing that uses all of the kit, but there are normally instructions which show other things that can be built too.. plus of course, there is freestyle! Grin

squeakytoy · 20/07/2012 23:01

And dont be put off by reviews that say "my son loved this".. I adored my lego, and built cars, rockets, and all things that would be classed as "boyish".

Most kits start off complete then get added to the bucket of bricks...

GoodHeavensNo · 20/07/2012 23:05

She's 8, I'm pretty sure she will have very strong ideas about what she wants if you show her what's available. Get her a lego catalogue from the lego website, or just get her to look at the website herself, and let her choose.

frankie4 · 20/07/2012 23:06

I wouldn't get Lego technic for an 8 year old, as it is very technical and can't really be used for imaginative play. I would get a box of bricks, a large base to build houses etc on. And also maybe a small Lego city set or Harry potter set , just because these sets include people and it is much more fun to play with the people with the Lego.

squeakytoy · 20/07/2012 23:09

I tried doing a lego technic kit the other week, as i wanted to see if it was all there before I sold it..

Blush

I gave up and sold it as seen. It was too difficult for me! Grin

WidowWadman · 20/07/2012 23:09

Goodheavens - that may end up being expensive. My daughter wants this for her 4th birthday if you ask her.

Original poster
KissMyEmbroideryHoop · 20/07/2012 23:44

thank you everyone....my instinct was right I think...I will get her a big tub of the varying stuff...with doors, windows and bricks etc...I will get a supplementary lego city set...Squeaky I was more put off by people saying their 4 year olds like it...I know that DD is quite technically minded and will probablt graduate to the more complex type things....not like me...I would have loved all that pink crap! Grin

OP posts:
iMoniker · 20/07/2012 23:53

Agree it's expensive. Sometimes it's good to validate your child by giving them what the want vs the practical alternative though.

My DS2 has collected the entire Starwars set - he finds it so much more satisfying and fun to build to plan and see the outcome. A bit like a puzzle.

Just my 10 penneth...

amck5700 · 20/07/2012 23:53

the houses are all good - cafe corner is a nice set too :)

iMoniker · 20/07/2012 23:55

Ps - ds2 has built the Lego technic Ferrari (he's 7) and did so with virtually no help. These are brilliant models.

minimisschief · 20/07/2012 23:55

how about stop thinking about what you want/don't want and ask what she wants

Original poster
KissMyEmbroideryHoop · 20/07/2012 23:56

She's not expressed a preference imonkier....just "I'd like some Lego please"

She's played with a big tub at her cousins and that was all random bricks and windows really....though if she saw a Spongebob set, she'd want it!

OP posts:
Littleprincessrocks · 21/07/2012 00:37

I saved all my lego from when I was a kid {smug emoticon}, sure some of it has been knawed by the dinosaurs... Grin
I am so glad I did, they just don't make the sets like they used to, especially the girls ones. I have a fabulous beach scene with wind surfers, cafe, ice cream shop, lifeguard station.. it is fabulous!

I have been eyeing up a campervan on the lego site, but £80 is a bit above my budget for me the kids to play with Wink

Badgerina · 21/07/2012 03:41

YABVVU Lego is one of the most loved children's toys ever. It's highly creative and educational. And whisper it: fun.

Why don't you ask your daughter which set she wants and stop being so controlling about it?

Shell get HOURS of fun building and rebuilding it, as well as inventing her own constructions.

Badgerina · 21/07/2012 03:42

If she hasn't stated a preference, take her to a shop to choose FFS!

SaraBellumHertz · 21/07/2012 05:48

At 8 I would suggest a specufic set that she can make. DS (6) must have 20+ sets, he has had Lego for every birthday/Christmas/occasion for the past 3 years. Sets tend to be made once or twice and then join the pile of pieces on the Lego table to be made into other weird and wonderful creations.

ZonkedOut · 21/07/2012 06:43

I would suggest a big general tub as a starter and see how she gets on with it. Other sets are great for building specific things to instructions, then getting added to the mix. It depends what sort of builder she is.

Things like Harry Potter and Star Wars are great for building specific models, but not quite as good for general imaginative play. Same with some of the technics stuff.

I grew up on lego, firstly general stuff which was all in a big box shared with my siblings, but when I got older I started getting the technical stuff and kept it separate. I still have those sets.

I would recommend getting a folder to keep instructions in, whatever you do. They tend to get ripped up otherwise.

Original poster
KissMyEmbroideryHoop · 21/07/2012 09:33

Jesus...stop with the accusations people! I know DD and she likes a surprise! SHe's not into Harry Potter and stuff like that...I have found a nice set...one ofthe Lego Create I think....Appletree house or something...it turns into 3 different houses...I will get that one and a general tub.

She is definitely imaginative and will like making her own up.....the technical things I dont think she's ready for....

OP posts:
WidowWadman · 21/07/2012 09:46

The apple tree house is ace! It comes with a lawn mower. I just love the little details.

Markingmyplace · 21/07/2012 09:55

I wish lego would quit embalzoning the packs with ages e.g. 7-12, or 6-8 etc. As my ds loves all packs of lego, but has had horrible comments made from "friends" when having packs with a younger age on it.

It's Lego, lego is fun for all ages, why do they limit their own market, by putting the age range on it?

WidowWadman · 21/07/2012 09:59

I think the age range is about complexity - a 5 year old probably would struggle a bit with a model aimed at the over 12s, so it makes more sense to get them a "younger" model. The other way round it doesn't matter.

That said, my 3 year old has a number of the smaller Creator kits, aimed at 6 and above - which she enjoys immensely building together with an adult (she calls them her "Lego Jigsaws"), and is getting better at putting them together and reading instructions. Just the single studs are often to fiddly for her.

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