You may have noticed lately that certain LEGO sets have begun displaying 18+ on the boxes. While many LEGO sets are suitable for children of all ages, some are designed specifically for adult builders. So why are some LEGO sets designated as 18+?
The 18+ rating does not mean that the sets are inappropriate for those under 18 such as in the case of movie ratings. This is a deliberate new marketing approach LEGO has taken to target AFOLs (Adult Fans Of LEGO).
In January 2020, LEGO announced that they would be replacing their Creator Expert line with a new 18+ range. This decision was made in order to better reflect the target audience of these sets, which are designed for adults rather than children. The new 18+ range features sets that are more complex and challenging to build, with many of them taking inspiration from real-world objects and locations.
The new 18+ boxes are black with a colored strip along the bottom of the box to catch the adults’ eye and let them know that this set was designed with them in mind.
But LEGO was not done yet! The 18+ branding was then replaced with the LEGO Icons theme. The LEGO Icon theme encompasses all LEGO sets that are 18+.
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Why Does LEGO Have 18+ Sets?
The decision to replace Creator Expert with an 18+ range was made to reflect these sets’ target audience better. The LEGO Group began the 18+ range to target a new emerging market with adults. The LEGO group realized they were missing a great opportunity with the stressed-out adult population.
Just look on Youtube for all the adult-related Youtube channels. There has also been a proliferation of Adult LEGO groups on Facebook and Reddit. I am a member of several Facebook groups that deal with subjects from talking about the latest set released to the best LEGO set investments.
LEGO has designed sets specifically for adults in six main categories listed below. Each of these categories contain sets that are 18+.
Each of the above categories contains sets that are 18+.
LEGO Deleted The Expert Label
The ‘Expert’ label was apparently seen as intimidating to potential new adult fans, so the company decided to phase out the Creator Expert program in 2020 and eventually eliminate it entirely. The 18+ age range then took its place, and since then, it has expanded to include a wider variety of sets across a variety of themes, such as Star Wars, Marvel, Ideas, and more.
However, according to the Head of Product for LEGO for Adults, Gen Cruz, that label is only meant to signify that a set has been designed primarily with adults in mind. As a result, it does not indicate how challenging the set is. Instead, the LEGO Group is putting the responsibility of determining the level of difficulty of a given product squarely on the shoulders of the individual builder.
What Is AFOL?
Adult LEGO fans are generally known as AFOL (adult fans of LEGO) and are the market for which LEGO 18+ is aimed.
Now, here’s the thing: one could make the case that adult fans of LEGO have been around for approximately the same amount of time that new LEGO set releases have been popular.
However, LEGO did not begin to comprehend the scope of the adult community until the year 1998, when the LEGO Mindstorms collection was made available to the public.
According to Tormod Askildsen, the head of AFOL engagement at LEGO, the customer feedback from LEGO Mindstorms was the catalyst for him to develop a new perspective on LEGO customers.
In addition to children, many adults were observed playing with LEGO and other items related to LEGO. Conventions are a popular form of entertainment, as evidenced by the success of Comic-Con, E3, and dozens of other events. That is why the LEGO Group has decided to participate in the activity. The LEGO Convention is a relatively new event that was created to honor the plastic brick through participation in various engaging activities.
The “Adults Welcome” page on the LEGO website talks about practicing mindfulness through LEGO. They have even put together a step-by-step guide to achieving mindfulness.
What Is Mindfulness?
The LEGO Group likes to talk about Mindfulness when it comes to adults and LEGO. But what is Mindfulness?
Mindfulness is an ancient practice that has roots in both Buddhism and Hinduism. It focuses on being mindful of the present, without dwelling too much into our past or worrying about what might happen in future situations to cause anxiety for those who practicing this type , it’s shown not just alleviate stress but lower blood pressure as well!
Mindfulness is the practice of being present in the moment and paying attention to your thoughts, emotions, and sensations without judgment. This can be done through meditation, breathing exercises, or simply by paying attention to your surroundings. Mindfulness has many benefits, including reducing stress and anxiety, improving sleep, and increasing focus and concentration.
There are many ways to be mindful. You can try mindfulness meditation, which involves sitting quietly and focusing on your breath. You can also try mindfulness exercises, such as paying attention to your surroundings for a set period of time or listening to a guided meditation. If you’re new to mindfulness, many resources are available to help you get started.
The LEGO Group describes mindfulness as a kind of meditation, that focuses on being aware or mindful of what is occurring in any specific moment with your body and surroundings. It’s about acknowledging feelings and sensations in the body without judging them.
What Was The First 18+ LEGO Set?
The first 18+ LEGO set that was launched was actually three sets – the LEGO Star Wars Helmet Collection. All three sets were released on the same date March 18, 2020.
- LEGO Star Wars Helmet Collection TIE Fighter Pilot Helmet (75274)
- LEGO Star Wars Helmet Collection Boba Fett (75277)
- LEGO Star Wars Helmet Collection Stromtrooper (75276)
How Many 18+ LEGO Sets Are There?
There are currently a whopping 107 actual 18+ sets for sale on LEGO.com. These sets are scattered across the 16 different themes listed below. You may note the LEGO Icons theme which is a new theme created by LEGO for certain 18+ sets.
- Architecture
- Art
- Batman
- Creator Expert
- DC
- Disney
- Harry Potter
- Horizon
- Ideas
- Jurassic World
- LEGO Icons
- LEGO Super Mario
- Marvel
- Spider-Man
- Star Wars
- Technic
The 18+ sets cover a large and diverse variety of sets that span from the LEGO Icons Lions Knights’ Castle (10305), to the LEGO Ideas Medieval Blacksmith (#21325), to the LEGO Architecture White House (#21054). These are just a few of the many different 18+ sets.
What Are The Price Ranges For LEGO 18+ Sets?
The price for these sets ranges from the lowest which is the LEGO Icons Bonsai Tree (10281) priced at $49.99 to the most expensive which is tied with the LEGO Star Wars Millennium Falcon (75192) and the LEGO Star Wars AT-AT (75313) which are both priced at $799.99.
Are 18+ LEGO Sets Hard?
The LEGO Group has stated that the 18+ label on some LEGO Group does not have anything to do with the difficulty of building the set. According to the LEGO Group, the 18+ label on some sets is to let adults know that the set was specifically made with them in mind.
The LEGO Group would rather leave the decision of whether a particular LEGO set is too difficult for them up to the individual.
Why Does LEGO Appeal To Adults?
With the stresses of everyday life, adults have been turning to LEGO to zone out with a LEGO set and just follow the instructions to build something awesome! Building with LEGO is a great way to practice Mindfulness and rid yourself of the everyday stresses of your life.
Adults that regularly build with LEGO have also found a new social connection with numerous AFOL Facebook and Reddit groups where they can ask questions and exchange ideas. There has even been a new TV show created around LEGO, “LEGO Masters”. This is a show where adult LEGO builders compete against each other.
Building with LEGO has been described as Zen with a brick. Mindfulness has become a mainstream buzzword recently, with large companies providing meditation rooms for their employees. The ability to focus on a single task is a form of mindfulness.
A book entitled “Build Yourself Happy: The Joy of LEGO Play“, was written in 2019 by Abbie Headon. This book is specifically for stressed-out adults and describes how adults can play in new ways with LEGO. There are chapters such as “Builds To Help You Sleep”, “Build to Relax”, and “Build For Joy” which all describe how to play with LEGO for particular goals.
Where Can I Watch LEGO Masters?
The best free way to watch LEGO Masters is on Tubitv.com. As well as the American version, there is also the UK and Australian versions. Tubi is free with no required credit card, and you don’t even have to sign up for a free account before watching.
LEGO Masters is also available on Hulu and fuboTV as well as other services, but a subscription is required.
At this time, LEGO Masters is not on Netflix in the U.S.
How Does LEGO Determine Age Range?
The age range given to LEGO sets is directly related to the bricks’ size and the building skills required to complete the set.
Sets with a lower recommended age will have sets that use standard stacking and more basic bricks.
The recommended age will increase with the complexity and expected time to complete the set. Also, with a higher recommended age, there will be more advanced building techniques such as offset sticking and studs not on top (SNOT technique), thinner walls (1×4 instead of 2×4), and more plates instead of just bricks.
Listed below are some characteristics of sets for different age ranges.
- Sets contain brighter, primary colors rather than darker colors and grays.
- Larger pieces over smaller pieces.
- A more open set to allow easier access from many angles for age ranges with developing motor control.
Is It Weird To Play With LEGO As An Adult?
It has become more mainstream and accepted for adults to build with LEGO than it did, say 50 years ago. Society has changed and with everyday stresses it is acceptable to relax with LEGO just as it would to relax with doing puzzles or some other hobby.
There have also been numerous articles lately on the subject of adults using LEGO as a stress release. Aricles from the NEW York Times, The Washington Post, The Guardian, and even the New Zealand Herald, have all written articles about the new phenomenon of Adults using LEGO to manage stress. The LEGO Group has recognized this and created LEGO sets with adults in mind.
So, no it is not weird for adults to build LEGO sets, it’s the latest wayfor adults to relive stress, just like people who like to put together jigsaw puzzles. LEGO sets are just 3D puzzles which you can either put away and build another day or display in your house or office.
Final Thoughts
Overall, whether you decide to build LEGO sets as an adult is up to your personal preferences. However, there are many benefits that can be enjoyed by both younger and older LEGO enthusiasts alike. Whether you are looking for a way to relax and unwind or want to challenge yourself with a complex building project, building LEGO sets has something to offer everyone.
There are many benefits to building LEGO sets as an adult. Not only can it be a great way to relieve stress or improve your problem-solving skills, but it can also help to boost your mood and cultivate mindfulness. With so many different LEGO sets available, there is sure to be one that is perfect for you. So why not give it a try? You might be surprised at how much fun you have.