The best Lego kits for adults, because you never grow out of Lego

Whether you dream of competing on Lego Masters or you just like to tinker around and revel in the building process, Lego sets for adults are an awesome way to unwind, unplug and enjoy some quiet, creative downtime. Whether the kit has hundreds of pieces or thousands, the act of building a cool structure from all those little Lego bricks can be a great stress reliever and can even help you hone your mindfulness skills.

Fortunately, there's a Lego kit out there for any and every interest, it seems — from the biggest TV and movie fandoms to sweeping architectural cityscapes from around the globe — so you have plenty of Lego sets to choose from.

Are Lego sets for adults?

Unlike Trix, Lego are not just for kids. (Yes, even if you're old enough to remember that cereal commercial, silly rabbit.) In fact, there are premium Lego sets designed specifically for adults. Some are meant to be nostalgic callbacks to things we loved as kids and teens, like Super Mario Bros video games and '90s TV shows like Friends. Other Lego sets are simply too advanced for kids to build on their own, with a piece count in the five-digit range, in some cases.

If you're looking for a Lego set for adults, just know that you're not alone. There's actually an acronym to describe your interest in those colorful little building bricks: AFOLs, or adult fans of Lego. And, there's even a "blocumentary" dedicated to your craft, as well as tons of Facebook Lego groups and Reddit communities.

What should I look for in a Lego kit for adults?

Lego sets for adults come in all shapes and forms, so the best choice for you really depends on your interests. Some of the best Lego sets for adults are those that act as sort of souvenirs of the places you've been. There are kits depicting famous landmarks like the White House, the Eiffel Tower, the Taj Mahal, the Disney Castle, the Empire State Building, and even Old Trafford, home of Manchester United Football Club. There are also kits that allow you to build iconic locales that you probably won't ever visit, like the Lego International Space Station.

There’s also a Lego art line with pieces that are designed to be built and hung on the wall like a framed canvas, and several special series of kits that are particularly fun for adults to put together and show off when completed. The Lego Botanical Collection, for example, allows for the creation of decor that's actually quite pretty, including brick-built orchids, floral bouquets, and more. There’s the Lego Technic line, as well, that includes lots of cool, true-to-life vehicles — like the Bugatti Chiron and Ford Mustang — with specialized pieces that create more functionality than your standard Lego brick, including tiny motors and pneumatic elements. Car enthusiasts would also enjoy the Lego creator kit that lets you build the Aston Martin made famous by the James Bond franchise.

The best Lego kits for adults, however, tend to have lots of pieces and present a fun challenge to put together. To ensure that the kit isn't too easy (and therefore a total snooze) for your skill level, you'll want to take a look at the recommended age on the front of the box. In 2020, Lego began using the designation "18+" for their more advanced Lego sets intended for adult builders. Previously, you might have seen these types of sets referred to as the Lego Creator Expert line, but in either case, you can expect these sets to have thousands of pieces. You may also find some Lego sets for adults that are listed as 16+ — these are usually older sets that pre-date the new 18+ designation but are likely to be a nice challenge for adults as well.

That said, there are plenty of great Lego kits for adults with a 12+ age designation too. Despite the age recommendation, these sets are typically not "childish" by any means. Rather, these 12+ sets are likely to have fewer pieces than those recommended for older ages, but they can still pose an equally fun challenge with stunning results that you'll be proud to put on display. They're also particularly great for adults who are just dipping their toe into Lego building, or those who might enjoy a more fast-paced project.

What LEGO sets are collectible?

You'll find that many of the most coveted, best Lego sets for adults fall within certain fandoms, like Star Wars, Harry Potter, and Stranger Things. You'll also find Lego kits for adults that center around favorite characters like Minnie Mouse, Super Mario, Darth Vader, and Marvel Avengers superheroes like Iron Man. Some of these kits are hard to find due to a limited-edition run and can therefore be pretty expensive when you do spot them for sale (such as the Lego Star Wars Death Star II and Ultimate Collector's Millennium Falcon).

Over time, you may find some Lego sets for adults could yield a high return on the secondary seller market. And who knows, some Lego kits for adults might wind up being a better investment than stocks! There are some sites out there that can try to tell you what Lego sets will be worth money in the future but, of course, take everything with a grain of salt. (Remember Beanie Babies?) However, any kits belonging to a longstanding franchise — like Star Wars — are likely to be in demand well into the future.

What are the hardest Lego sets to build?

While the 18+ designation doesn't necessarily denote that a Lego kit for adults will be particularly difficult, there are a handful of sets out there that are ideal if you're really up for a challenge. These include the Lego Ghostbusters Firehouse Headquarters, the Taj Mahal, the Bugatti Chiron, the Star Wars Millennium Falcon, and the Imperial Star Destroyer.

Is there an app that lets you build LEGO?

If you're finding a Lego set to be particularly difficult, though, there's an app for that! You can use the Lego Builder app for digital Lego building instructions on your smartphone or tablet. It not only shows step-by-step instructions for your build, but also allows you to rotate and zoom in on each Lego piece to get a better look at it than you ever could in the paper building instructions. It's a great ally to turn to if you get stuck in the course of building your set. However, some older Lego sets may not be in the app, so it can be hit or miss in that regard.

What do you do with Lego sets once built?

Whatever kit you choose to build, be sure to put your Lego art on display when you're done! You can even find LED light kits for some of the most popular Lego sets for adults, so you can illuminate your impressive effort and really show it off like the work of art that it is.