Key Points
- Our choice for the #1 Best Overall LEGO set for a 6-year-old is the LEGO City Space Mars Research Shuttle
- LEGO sets are an incredibly fun experience for kids of all ages, and educational too
- Sets are available for a wide range of prices, so there’s something for every budget
- Consider the ease of building, compatibility with other sets, your kid’s personal interests, and your budget to make the best choice
LEGO has been a standout in the toy industry for a while and for good reason. The unassuming little plastic blocks lend hours of educational entertainment to children of all ages. Kids can exercise their imagination, patience and problem-solving abilities, all while having fun. But choosing the most appropriate LEGO set for your child isn’t as simple as it could be. Health and safety are obviously concerns. However, you also want a set that your child will be interested in and be able to build relatively easily, but not so easily that they get bored. These days, there are almost countless options to choose, and they’re not necessarily a small investment. We’ve put together our list of best LEGO sets for 6-year-olds, so you can make the right choice that will enthrall your kids.
$47.99Buy on Amazon- Features LCD lights and classic Mario sounds
- Compatible with all other Super Mario sets
- Interactive opportunities with the downloadable app
- Easy build instructions
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12/03/2023 03:40 pm GMT
$29.95Buy on Amazon- Includes Freya McCloud from the LEGO City TV series
- Male and female figures included
- Good value for a set with accessories
- Extendable ladder and stackable flames
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12/03/2023 03:40 pm GMT
$27.99Buy on Amazon- Lots of freedom to build whatever you wish
- Classic pieces adults will recognize
- Over 700 pieces included
- Compatible with construction sets
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12/03/2023 03:40 pm GMT
$23.99Buy on Amazon- Lots of extras, including reycling bins and a raccoon
- Fully operational recycling truck
- Educational
- Male and female figures included
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12/03/2023 03:40 pm GMT
$63.00Buy on Amazon- Includes two astronauts and Mars Rover
- Suitable for both boys and girls
- Very sturdy set
- 2-hour build time
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12/03/2023 03:40 pm GMT
Best Overall: LEGO City Space Mars Research Shuttle
- Includes two astronauts and Mars Rover
- Suitable for both boys and girls
- Very sturdy set
- 2-hour build time
- Build time: Around 2 hours
- Number of pieces: 273
- Dimensions: 7.6 x 28.2 x 26.2 cm
This may seem like a set that’s more geared towards boys at first glance, but we promise that all kids will love the LEGO City Space Mars Research Shuttle set. While the set is suitable for ages 5 years and up, it’s a perfectly manageable build for a 6-year-old. It shouldn’t take much longer than a couple of hours to finish. But it can provide many more hours of imaginative fun for your budding space explorer. The shuttle itself is sturdier than it looks. It can withstand all the impromptu flight trips your little one has in store for it.
There are also two astronaut figurines and a Mars rover included. In addition, there’s a decoder and a mysterious secret message. All in all, there are more than enough elements to get going on an intergalactic adventure. This is an ideal set for space lovers. However, any 6-year-olds that love to fly their toys around and build things by themselves will be very happy with the space shuttle.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Suitable for boys and girls | Not appropriate for kids younger than 6, as it has some small parts |
| Includes figurines and a vehicle | |
| Relatively sturdy |
Best Value for Money: LEGO City Recycling Truck
- Lots of extras, including reycling bins and a raccoon
- Fully operational recycling truck
- Educational
- Male and female figures included
- Build time: Around 2 to 3 hours
- Number of pieces: 261
- Dimensions: 35.4 x 19.1 x 7.0 cm
Eco-friendliness and entertainment go hand in hand with the incredible LEGO City Recycling Truck set. One of the best things about LEGO is the combination of fun and education, and this set is no exception. As well as the recycling truck and two figurines, you also get removable recycling bins that can attach to the truck. In addition, there’s a cute raccoon, and even a set of accessories for sorting out the garbage. You can’t really go wrong with this truck, especially considering you get almost 300 pieces and a lot of extras. Even the compactor on the truck is functional, for a truly realistic recycling experience. For the price and the educational value, this set is an amazing deal. It keeps your kids engaged and teaches them a valuable lesson about sustainability.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Easy instructions | May not interest some children |
| Educational as well as entertaining | Quite similar to a previously released LEGO set |
| Lots of interactive accessories |
Best for Creativity: LEGO Classic Large Creative Brick Box
- Lots of freedom to build whatever you wish
- Classic pieces adults will recognize
- Over 700 pieces included
- Compatible with construction sets
- Build time: N/A
- Number of pieces: 790
- Dimensions: 37.0 x 26.1 x 18.0 cm
Themed sets from LEGO are incredible in their own right, but the LEGO Classic Large Creative Brick Box is unmatched when it comes to creativity and versatility. This nostalgic set brings all the old-school excitement of classic LEGO building to the new generation. It is particularly great for those kids who love to do their own thing and figure it out as they go along. There are endless hours of play to be had with this box and an equally extensive list of build possibilities. However, there are some build ideas included, which are amazing for a little more guided playtime. You can make anything from houses and castles to cars and trucks with this huge number of pieces. So it’s a truly flexible set. It’s also the the best choice for when your child needs to let their creativity run wild.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Ideal for creative and unrestricted build sessions | May be frustrating for children who would like more guidance |
| Lots of pieces to play with | More expensive than some themed sets |
| Nostalgic for adult LEGO lovers | Not a lot of variation in the pieces |
Best Easy Build: LEGO City Fire Ladder Truck
- Includes Freya McCloud from the LEGO City TV series
- Male and female figures included
- Good value for a set with accessories
- Extendable ladder and stackable flames
- Build time: Around 1 hour
- Number of pieces: 88
- Dimensions: 9 x 16 x 7 cm
Fire trucks are a classic toy, and the LEGO City Fire Ladder Truck is a great example. Who hasn’t wanted to be a firefighter at some point? There are a few variations available from LEGO, with this one being a relatively basic example. However, the value for money is excellent. The number of pieces isn’t too high. Thus, building it should be a breeze for any child over the age of 4. Not only is the fire ladder extendable for putting out blazes up high, you also get a water hydrant and LEGO flames included. You can stack these to set up your own firefighting missions. There are even a couple of firefighters in the set, including Freya McCloud from the LEGO City Adventures TV show. Truck lovers and fans of the TV series will be delighted with this build.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Great for kids who like trucks and the TV series | Doesn’t have as many interactive accessories as the other fire truck sets |
| Includes male and female figurines | Doesn’t offer as much of a challenge as other sets |
| Relatively cheap for a set that includes accessories and figures | Not much to build apart from the fire truck |
Best Interactive: Super Mario Adventures Starter Course
- Features LCD lights and classic Mario sounds
- Compatible with all other Super Mario sets
- Interactive opportunities with the downloadable app
- Easy build instructions
- Build time: Around 2 hours
- Number of pieces: 231
- Dimensions: 31.6 x 26.2 x 9.0 cm
If you’re looking for a more interactive experience, the LEGO Super Mario Adventures Starter Course does an excellent job of blending LEGO with one of the most popular video games. There are lots of elements involved here that help bring the experience to life. Mario has color sensors and LCDs. These change his expression depending on his movement or what color tile he’s stepping on. Classic sounds from the video game series also make an appearance thanks to the built-in speaker.
There’s a lot of fun to be had by navigating Mario around the course, hitting the action bricks, and collecting coins as he goes. A Goomba figure is included, as well as Bowser Jr., who Mario can jump on to receive more coins. For even more interactive play, there’s a downloadable app. It gives you loads of ideas for how to use the course. You can also see other people’s creations, as well as share yours on the app.
If there’s anything we don’t love, it’s that you need batteries for Mario to be responsive. But all in all, it’s not much of an inconvenience. Plus, they’ll last a while before you need to replace them. It’s an amazing set for all Mario fanatics, but any kid will fall in love with this set. If your young one likes this Mario course, there are tons of expansions and other sets available to help you build your own Mario kingdom.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Lots of interactive fun, especially with the app | Quite expensive for a basic set |
| Can be extended with expansion packs, other characters and Mario-themed settings | Requires batteries |
| Boys and girls will love this | Can be complicated, with few instructions |
How to Pick the Best LEGO Sets for 6-Year-Olds: Step-by-Step
With so many options to choose from, all with their own accessories and quirks, it can feel almost impossible to settle on one product. These are some of the most important factors to consider:
- Ease of building
- Budget
- Compatibility
- Personal preference
Let’s take a closer look at each of these.
Ease of building
Not all LEGO sets are created equal. Some sets are, in fact, created for adults to build, so there’s one for literally all ages. As well as your child’s age, you need to consider how experienced they are with LEGO, and how passionate and interested they are in building with LEGO pieces. If this is one of their first experiences with LEGO, or they don’t have too much patience for the construction process, it’s better to opt for an easier build or one that doesn’t have as many moving parts. And of course, a set that’s designed for your kid’s particular age will be more likely to provide the right amount of challenge as well as be safer to work with. This will lead to a more enjoyable experience, and a lot less frustration or boredom.
Budget
Understandably, budget can be a huge factor in deciding which set to buy for your children. LEGO sets don’t exactly come cheap, but there is a lot of variation in prices. Therefore, you should be able to find what you’re looking for. Generally, sets with more pieces and accessories command a higher cost, but this isn’t always the case. It’s wise to see what the approximate build time is as well as what ways they can play with the finished piece. This will give you an idea of how much value for money there is. Ultimately, the set that your child loves to play with the most will be the best investment long-term. You can go for all the bells and whistles, but it may be best to start with a smaller or cheaper set and go from there.
Compatibility
This aspect is important if you have a lot of LEGO sets already, or your child has a particular interest, as they often do. While many LEGO sets are designed to stand alone, there are a lot of sets that have expansion packs and add-ons to make them more interactive and build a larger fantasy world. If your child loves LEGO and it seems like they will for a while, it can be smart to consider the compatibility of the set with any sets you may currently have, or may think about purchasing in the future. This way, you can be sure you have other options that your child will also love, and get the most bang for your buck.
Personal preference
Aside from the cost, ease of use and getting a bargain, of course, a big thing to think about is what your child is actually passionate about. After all, it’s not much use getting the best deal on a LEGO set with loads of accessories if your child shows no interest in it. You’ll know better than anyone else what your child loves and is fascinated by, be it vehicles, space, dinosaurs, Disney princesses, or something completely different altogether. Rest assured, there’s a themed set for virtually anything imaginable. If you have a good idea of what your child is excited about, that’ll help you narrow down your next purchase a lot better.
What to Know Before Buying the Best LEGO Sets for 6-Year-Olds
LEGO sets aren’t the cheapest toys out there. It pays to consider how much use your child may get out of a particular set, and their particular interests. You’ll also want to think about the dimensions and size of the set. This is so you can make sure your play area has enough space to accommodate the set once it’s fully constructed. It’s always recommended to go with an age-appropriate set. This isn’t only for health and safety but for getting the balance right between challenging and too easy.
Using the Best LEGO Sets for 6-Year-Olds: What It’s Like
There’s not much that’s better than watching your kid’s eyes light up as they open a present they’re ecstatic about. Picking the right LEGO set will not only give them a lot of joy but the bonding moments to be had helping them to build it will make you happy as well.
LEGO is great for helping your kid develop their hand-eye coordination and problem-solving skills. It also teaches them lessons about playing with other kids and sharing their toys, and even about the environment. However, as with most things, there’s potential for frustrations and even tantrums. Be sure to choose something that your child is really interested in and that is appropriate for their age and ability. That way, you can make sure you’ll both have a great time building and playing with the new LEGO set.
Summary Table
| Rank | LEGO Set |
|---|---|
| Best Overall | LEGO City Space Mars Research Shuttle |
| Best Value | LEGO City Recycling Truck |
| Best for Creativity | LEGO Classic Large Creative Brick Box |
| Best Easy Build | LEGO City Fire Ladder Truck |
| Best Interactive | Super Mario Adventures Starter Course |
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Fernando Dias Fotografia/Shutterstock.com.
