Buying guide for Best LEGO Juniors sets

As one of the most popular toy makers in the world, LEGO offers exciting kits and creative projects for all ages. While its DUPLO series engages toddlers and fosters an interest in LEGO bricks from a very young age, the LEGO Juniors series is the next step for youngsters ages four to seven. Once those are mastered, a much larger world of LEGO awaits.

First released in 2014, LEGO Juniors are marketed as simple, easy-to-build sets, some of which feature characters from pop culture to further engage youngsters. These sets typically include slightly larger pieces, though you can find smaller bricks and accessories too. These kits are less complex than others, but some include interactive elements and all embrace creative inspiration.

LEGO Juniors was retired in 2019, but there are still plenty to choose from when shopping for sets for youngsters. Our buying guide details what’s available and where and how to go about deciding which kit is best for your child. Take a look at our recommended LEGO Juniors sets above too.

The Juniors series replaced LEGO’s Bricks & More collection that began in 2009. It ran for about five years and included over 60 sets.

Key considerations

Themes

LEGO Juniors sets incorporate a variety of themes from other licensed LEGO products as well as more general content.

Marvel Avengers: Four sets were released during the Juniors era, including three featuring Spider-Man. A fourth set in this line features Loki and Iron Man.

DC Comics Super Heroes: Four sets were released featuring DC Super Heroes, including Batman battling against familiar foes Joker and Mr. Freeze, and Superman and Robin.

City: This theme features the most sets in the Juniors series, with about two dozen options available with scenes you’d find in urban areas. They include a pizza shop, garbage truck, family house, fire patrol, and demolition site.

NINJANGO: Four sets were released within this theme, which involves ninjas battling forces of evil. These sets are detailed, colorful, and imaginative.

Disney Princess: Disney animated films were a natural fit for the Juniors series, with a variety of movies catering to a similar age group. Six sets were released in total, including scenes from Beauty and the Beast, Frozen, Cinderella, and The Little Mermaid.

Friends: This popular series developed in 2012 features five friends living a suburban life. Seven sets were released under the Juniors tag.

Films: Many of LEGO’s film partnerships led to Junior sets. Seven sets were released depicting scenes and characters from the animated Cars 3. Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom saw three sets released based on the film, with one featuring a raptor, T-rex, and pteranodon. The superhero movie Incredibles 2 inspired three sets, while the 2014 live action Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles inspired one set.

Same sets, new brand

The Juniors brand didn’t focus on a certain style or specific content but instead targeted an age group. It was retired in 2019. Now sets are labeled 4+, meaning they’re suitable for ages four and older. While there is no longer a Juniors section on the LEGO website, you can search for sets for kids ages four and up and find similar options to those released earlier, including sets featuring characters from Marvel Comics, Disney animated films, the LEGO Friends series, Star Wars, and general city life. The product didn’t change, just the branding.

You can search secondary retailers and sellers if you want to find a specific Juniors set. LEGO no longer manufactures new ones, so you might come across options that are higher in price due to demand. Be sure to buy from a trusted source.

Size

Since LEGO Juniors sets are geared toward younger kids, most of them don’t include a large number of pieces. What’s more, the pieces tend to be larger and easier to handle. A majority of sets include between 100 and 250 pieces. Only a handful of sets include more than 500 pieces.

Features

Minifigs

LEGO minifigures, or “minifigs,” are popular, articulated characters that help foster an interest in LEGO. Minifigs are made up of three or four segments: legs, torso, head, and hairpiece. These minifigs may represent a general occupation, such as construction worker or firefighter, or a specific character from pop culture, such as a superhero or ninja.

Most LEGO Juniors sets include one to three minifigs, and some may be unique to that set. Keep in mind that what often makes minifigs unique isn’t the character they represent but their outfit. For example, there are many iterations of Batman. Minifigs are highly sought after by kids because they’re easily identifiable and can be used with many different scenes and sets.

Mini-dolls

LEGO Friends and some Disney Princess sets include mini-dolls instead of minifigs. Mini-dolls are slightly larger, rounder figurines made to be more lifelike. These figures may be more approachable for some youngsters, particularly those first being introduced to LEGO.

Compatibility

LEGO Juniors sets are compatible with other LEGO sets, allowing children to grow with LEGO and continue to use the simpler sets they've built. Some pieces can be integrated into new sets, and pieces can be saved to use as spares or in completely new creations.  Many Juniors and 4+ sets come with a baseplate and wall element as the foundation for the set. Minifigs are standard across all LEGO sets with pieces that can mix and match.

Parents may want to consider joining the LEGO VIP club. It’s a free membership program that allows you to accrue points to shop, access sets early, and gain exclusive rewards.

Accessories

LEGO DUPLO set: LEGO DUPLO My First Number Train
For kids under four who aren’t quite ready for a Juniors set, seek out a set from the DUPLO series. This simple and colorful train set encourages counting skills and creativity.

LEGO Friends set: Mia’s Camper Van
Several Juniors and 4+ sets feature LEGO Friends, five girls who go on adventures in and around their idyllic suburb. We like this detailed and interactive set for those kids who want to grow with this group of friends.

LEGO Marvel Super Heroes set: Attack on Avengers Tower
For those kids who love superheroes and want something a little more elaborate, we recommend this 500-piece set featuring Thor, Iron Man, and Ultron.

LEGO Juniors set prices

Inexpensive: A variety of LEGO Juniors and 4+ sets cost $20 or less, with smaller, simpler kits at the lower end of the age range.

Mid-range: Most LEGO Juniors sets cost between $20 and $50, with complexity and size increasing with the price.

Expensive: The most elaborate sets, as well as those with the most pieces, cost $50 or more.

Tips

• Explore the LEGO Kids section online. LEGO offers a range of inspiring and creative outlets on its Kids portal, including games, videos, and sets geared toward the youngest LEGO users.
• Foster independent play. You can help your child when needed, but it’s important to allow for some independent problem-solving and creative play as your child uses the set.
• Encourage creativity. Particularly for younger kids, LEGO is about imagination and exploration. Allow kids to experiment with bricks and sets.
• Stay organized. If possible keep a dedicated table or space for building sets and a way to sort and store pieces if the set isn’t completed in one sitting.

Parents are the best judge of what sets are suitable for their children. Kids grow and develop at different speeds, and the suggested age range offers a guide but isn’t a hard and fast rule.

FAQ

Q. Are LEGO Juniors sets educational?

A. LEGO bricks encourage creativity and expression in youngsters. They can help develop a variety of skills as well, including math, problem-solving, communication, language, and spatial reasoning. Sets also help develop motor skills, including dexterity and strength. What’s more, LEGO rewards patience and perseverance. Some sets may present a challenge, but success is possible and all the more satisfying when obstacles are overcome.

Q. How do I know which set is the best for my child?

A. Finding the first right set can be tricky. It’s best to start with a smaller, simpler set for a child at the younger end of the age range, and increase the size and complexity as the child gets older. If there is a particular pop culture character, story, or movie they enjoy, choose a set that matches that interest. Otherwise, you might want to opt for a generic city scene that can pique curiosity.

Q. Are LEGO toys safe?

A. LEGO bricks are rigorously tested for safety to make sure they don’t break, crumble, or shatter when played with. This includes enduring repeated simulations of biting, dropping, and trampling. Still, it’s important for parents to monitor younger children because smaller pieces in sets, including Juniors sets, can present a choking hazard. What’s more, you might want to encourage cleaning up after play time too. While the LEGO bricks can withstand being stepped on, they can still hurt bare feet!