DS (4) wants to get a Lego set...where do we start? (help!)

[Katigre]

DS has some birthday money and wants to get a Lego set with it. That's fine with me, but when we looked through the Lego store today it was a bit overwhelming.

Should we get a basic set or a specific 'kit'?
Are some lines better/worse than others in terms of difficulty to assemble or enjoyment of the final product?

DS would really prefer one that had clear directions for what to build, he enjoys doing sequential steps.

Any amazon.com links are much appreciated.

[Jenny_A]

I would recommend getting just a basic block set. Not a kit. DD is 4 and she plays with Duplos every day. We have not moved up to Legos and probably won't for awhile. You might want to get a "base plate" too so she'll have something to build on.

[Katigre]

We definitely need a base plate since he'll mostly build on top of his bunk bed. Thanks for mentioning that.

Does the basic building set come with instructions for building various things?

[KrisM]

I think whether you get a kit or not depends on your child. We had just blocks, but DS never did much with them, even with a base and encouragement from us. He got kits at 5 and loves, loves, loves them. He much prefers following directions over building on his own.

There are a couple sets for age 4:
http://www.amazon.com/LEGO-4568053-House-Building-Set/dp/B002RL7VUC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1269834285&sr=8-1
http://www.amazon.com/LEGO-4568052-Cars-Building-Set/dp/B002RL7VTI/ref=pd_bxgy_t_text_b
http://www.amazon.com/Lego-4517419-LEGO%C2%AE-Road-Construction/dp/B000WOBBAC/ref=pd_bxgy_t_text_b
http://www.amazon.com/Lego-4517419-LEGO%C2%AE-Road-Construction/dp/B000WOBBAC/ref=pd_sim_t_6


If you think he would do well with ones harder than that, I'd get something from the City collection. Those seem a bit easier in general. I'd get one with 100-200 pieces, like: http://www.amazon.com/LEGO-4540484-City-Tow-Truck/dp/B001W3OT9C/ref=pd_sim_t_24.

We did a few of those small sets before he moved on to bigger ones.

[Jenny_A]

No, they don't. Maybe buy a book? http://www.amazon.com/Unofficial-LEGO-Builders-Guide/dp/1593270542/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1269834570&sr=8-4

Here's a link to a great general building set http://www.amazon.com/LEGO-Ultimate-Building-Set-Pieces/dp/B000NO9GT4/ref=pd_sim_b_19.

Base Plate: http://www.amazon.com/LEGO-15-15-inch-Building-Plate/dp/B00000JIVV/ref=pd_sim_t_30

They also have a 32X32. Not sure which would be best. We have a 15X15 Duplo one and it provides enough space for DD to build.

Maybe someone else will chime in here... should OP go with Legos or Duplos?? Are Legos too tiny and potentially frustrating for age 4?

Oh, I also went on Ebay and got just some Duplo (or Lego in your case) people. I think I bought like 12 people in a lot once. DD has fun building things and then putting the people in.

[Jenny_A]

I went on E-bay. Here are some examples of what I was talking about:

http://cgi.ebay.com/25-LEGO-MINI-FIGS-FIGURE-PEOPLE-PLUS-ACCESORIES_W0QQitemZ110509060934QQcmdZViewItemQQpt ZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item19bada7346

http://cgi.ebay.com/LEGO-LOT-OF-20-MINIFIGS-FIGURES-PEOPLE_W0QQitemZ250604707661QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_ DefaultDomain_0?hash=item3a59345f4d

Just search "Lego people lot" and they'll come up.

[Katigre]

DS will still play with Duplos and enjoys them, but is starting to outgrow them so it doesn't seem like a good idea to invest in more of them. While Lego's will require help to do at first, I think he'll really grow into them over the next year and at the Lego store today had no problem putting them together.

I *really* appreciate all the links - it's so helpful!

[sariana]

We have a bucket that came with directions for various projects using the pieces. There is a gas station, some other sort of building, various vehicles, and a few other things. They can't all be built at once (not enough pieces), but several can be used together, such as a vehicle and a building.

My son plays with his Legos all the time, but he rarely builds anything specific. He has a couple of kits, but he doesn't use them. He just likes to make towers and things. He is 5 1/2.

[SnuggleBuggles]

I'd get a bucket of them, a plate and one set just for fun. :)

Beth- mom to a Lego addict

[o_mom]

The sets that Kris linked are good starters. The other ones we got at first were the small sets of around 50 pc that either make a car (Racers) or three in one (Creator). Something like this one: http://shop.lego.com/Product/?p=5864
They come in a plastic container for around $5 at Target. They are good for getting them started on figuring out directions without being so long that they lose interest.

[smilequeen]

I'd get a bucket of them, a plate and one set just for fun. :)

Beth- mom to a Lego addict


I agree with that :) Except that I'm Karen-mom to 2 Lego addicts :)

My younger one loves to just put pieces together. My older one likes to follow directions and build specific things. At 4 that was more difficult. At 5 he doesn't need help anymore.

[hillview]

DS is 4.5 and LOVES the lego starwars sets. He can't put them together himself but he can work through it with you which is a nice project if you have time. He also still loves the duplo box of blocks.
/hillary

[Meatball Mommie]

This is kind of neat:

http://creative.lego.com/en-us/FamilyTime/buildinginstructionssecret/BuildingInstructionsBoxSecret.aspx?domainredir=cre ative.lego.com

I've seen it in Family Fun Magazine for a while now and it uses the large set that has blocks of every color. Might get this for my 5 year old's bday coming up.

FWIW, my 2 lego fanatics play most with the people and build their own things... mostly space ships of various types ;)

[elephantmeg]

DS got the buzz lightyear space ship and the camper set for his 4th b-day. He doesn't build much (DH did that) but loves to play with them!

[denna]

DS has some birthday money and wants to get a Lego set with it. That's fine with me, but when we looked through the Lego store today it was a bit overwhelming.

Should we get a basic set or a specific 'kit'?
Are some lines better/worse than others in terms of difficulty to assemble or enjoyment of the final product?

DS would really prefer one that had clear directions for what to build, he enjoys doing sequential steps.

Any amazon.com links are much appreciated.

Toys R Us is actually having a BOGO 50% off sale (until Saturday) on all Lego sets. Maybe something like this:

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3780384

or this:

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2938152

HTH!

[fortato]

I would begin with a bucket... And then start clearing your surfaces. You will have little Lego creations all over the place...just like me.

We skipped Duplo completely because Jack was more interested in realistic buildings- and He's a Star Wars FANATIC...sooooo.... we have TONS of Star Wars sets.
I try to steer him toward the basic sets, so we can build more free form things- and the little Lego ideas that Family Fun put in their magazine are nice to have around.

Jack has become obsessed with the Bionicle guys too... I like them because he can play with them with out them falling apart.

There are TONS of great sets out there! And there are some deals around if you look.