Starting October 15th, 2023 Lego put several new sets on sale. This is also during their fall double Insiders points! It’s a GREAT opportunity to get some Christmas shopping done! I’d get all of them if I could but one is perfect for this time of year.
Larger sets make a great project to do with your kids. Every lego set comes separated into small, plastic bags with numbers on them. Those can be separated among builders in several different ways. Splitting up the work can be done by bags, pages, or steps. I prefer counting up the total number of steps and dividing by the number of builders.
When we built the new Alpine Lodge, the number of steps per person was 82. Bags 1-2 had around 82 steps, as did 3-5, and 6-10. Notice that the bags vary in the number of steps. Each person got one group. This assures a somewhat even split and builders don’t have to wait too long for the previous builder to finish their part.
Mini Disney The Haunted Mansion
$27.99 – 30%
Starting off with my favorite for having fun with your child. It’s a great way to have some spooky fun, especially since the movie is now streaming on Disney+. This isn’t a big set but the designers have packed a lot into it and there is no mistaking that it’s a creepy, big house.
These smaller builds are great for young builders. I recommend that you support your future engineer by sitting by them, help them to sort the pieces by color (this makes it easier to find them), and gather the pieces needed for the next step. This helps them to keep their focus on the project and caregivers are free to praise the work that they see.
Important behavior and character traits that you can point out in these moments include perseverance, problem solving, and patience. Examples:
“You’re doing great putting this together.”
“Keep at it. I’m proud of you for working hard.”
“You’re really sticking with this. Way to go.”
The next three are larger sets that are likely better for older builders. They are all rated at 18+ but an experienced teen will enjoy them all the same.
The Razor Crest
$419.99 – 30% off
This set is huge! It has 6,187 pieces (the eighth most of any lego set ever!) and is 29”x20”x10”. This model makes a beautiful display piece and is great for teens and adults who love intricate and magnificently detailed builds. It also appeals to fans of The Mandalorian from the Star Wars universe.
If you have a child that fits that description, this could be the set to go with. It’s a memory maker. I’ve had the pleasure of putting a few of these big sets together and there are always ingenious ways the Lego engineers have designed the build and small details to enjoy.
The Hulkbuster
$384.99 – 30% off
What a thrill for Marvel fans. This version of Iron Man’s Hulkbuster is monstrous, coming in at 21” high! The arc reactor in the chest even lights up. If you’ve been following the MCU, this one is perfect.
Atari 2600
$191.99 – 30% off
Near and dear to my heart, a model of my first gaming system. Amazing how much better games are on my phone. Not only is this a fine replica of the original but there are plenty of hidden gems to explore. My favorite is the Asteroids cartridge that is perfection.