Best way to start a lego collection?

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I have bought the lego ideas book and there seems a lot of different pieces needed to make the different models inside.

We have a very basic box of lego I found in a charity shop. I am buying a big base plate next.

What boxes should I buy next to get all the different pieces needed?

Guess it depends what you want to buy.

If you need some specialist bits then you might need to order online from somewhere like findmybrick or bricklink.

Otherwise you could buy another big tub to just get more standard blocks.

Or decide on a collection such as city lego and start getting different sets.

DS (5 last week) likes the kits of specific things - fire engine, police car, etc - mostly in the Lego City range. You can also buy boxes of assorted bits and pieces for freestyle building, or the "Creator" range kits, with which you can build several things from the same pieces. Or you can go to a Lego shop and pic 'n' mix whatever bits you want.

The creator range kits sound good.

Its for dd1, who will be 6, I want her to be able to build lots of different things.

If parents/ PIL haven't moved then try rummaging in their loft. Mine had long since gone but we got a large box which had belonged to dh. The creator sets are good for lots of general bricks. We also got a starter set in secondhand toy shop.

My DD1, who is 5, likes the kits. We recently got her the riding stables from the 'Friends' range. It's good because it gives you the big, impressive structure, (with clear instructions!) But also a really good range of the more specialized pieces so you can be more ccreative.