With the Christmas season approaching and children writing wish lists to Santa Claus, toy companies have been advertising their products feverishly. LEGO is no exception, but as the company teases new kits for 2026, it’s not just children who scramble to get their hands on them.
As more adults seek to tap into childhood nostalgia, LEGO has begun to offer more options targeted at a mature audience. In recent years, higher piece counts and complicated instructions promise an engaging experience for even adult enthusiasts. Many of the announced LEGO kits aim to reach older builders, including collections from video games, films and comic books from past generations’ childhoods.
Meanwhile, decorative sets, including the Botanicals collection of houseplants, and the more tedious Ideas and Icons kits, serve as decorative pieces and display both ornamental flair and childlike whimsy.
Grand Valley State University student Lily Hevron said she loves piecing together LEGO sets, particularly kits part of the Botanicals collection.
“I love figuring out the complicated placements and following specific, detailed instructions,” Hevron said. “Even though the botanical kits are a bit smaller, I think they are visually very stunning and have great attention to detail, like the bonsai tree having its leaves be little frog pieces.”
Hevron added she is most excited for the continuance of the Harry Potter line, with some upcoming kits including Luna Lovegood’s house, the potions classroom and Dumbledore’s office.
“I am a huge Harry Potter fan, so any new trinkets for the series are thoroughly enjoyed,” Hevron said.
Other upcoming kits that adult builders can enjoy include sets from Fortnite, Marvel and the “Legend of Zelda.” However, adults aren’t confined to adult sets with thousands of pieces and novel-length instructions.
“My sister loves the Minecraft ones because they’re quick and easy,” Hevron said. “It’s more gratifying for her because she has a shorter attention span.”
Looking toward the future, other builders believe there are more ways LEGO could expand, especially into universally loved franchises that appeal to all ages.
GVSU graduate student Andromeda Rodriquez said she wants to see expansion into the Nintendo collection through Pokémon kits, the first of which are set to roll out in 2026, starting with Pikachu, Eevee, Bulbasaur, Squirtle and Charmander.
“(LEGO) should do Pokémon (sets),” Rodriquez said. “There are so many options. There’s a million things they could make.”
Rodriquez also added suggestions for brand partnerships outside of the ones LEGO has already collaborated with, including the massively popular Sanrio license, which includes Hello Kitty and Friends.
“People love (Sanrio), it’s everywhere,” Rodriquez said. “I feel like people collect one specific character, so they could add (LEGOs) to their collection.”
Rodriquez said she would like to see a certain Sanrio character added to her own collection.
“I would love a Pompompurin (set),” Rodriquez said. “He’s my favorite Sanrio character.”
Despite strides toward an age-expansive customer base, some resident builders have raised concerns with the way LEGO operates, including high prices and sustainability.
“I think LEGOs are great, but like every other consumer-based product, they are best in moderation,” Hevron said. “I do think it is important to recognize LEGOs are just plastic.”
Despite these issues, many LEGO fans remain loyal, largely due to accessibility and huge variety of kits offered by the company.
“(LEGO) has sets for everyone,” Hevron said. “They have less complex, fandom-based ones, and then they have crazy complicated architecture-based ones and pretty much everything in between. Not to sound like a spokesperson, (but) I do believe there is a set for every skill level out there.”
As the holiday season approaches, whether the gift recipient is old or young, perhaps the LEGO aisle is a good place to turn to for a box of nostalgia or addictive new hobby.
