5 Best LEGO Duplo Sets
best lego duplo sets
Your child is constantly growing and developing. Whether it’s picking a favorite color brick out of a whole pile of bricks or stacking multiple bricks together to create a tower, everything your child does with a LEGO DUPLO set is another milestone checked off an ever-expanding list.
LEGO DUPLO sets are designed for children ages one and a half to five years old. The bricks are colorful, nontoxic, and large, and they have rounded edges so they’re safe for toddlers. The sets come in a wide variety of themes that can engage your child’s imagination to help develop both creative skills and fine motor skills.
If you feel overwhelmed by the many different LEGO DUPLO sets available, you are not alone. This handy guide is designed to help you zero in on the perfect set for your child, so learning is the most fun it can possibly be.
Considerations
Age range
When it comes to young children and toys, safety needs to be your primary concern. No matter how vigilant you are, there will be times when your child is playing alone. You must purchase a set that does not pose any sort of hazard for your child. Regular LEGO sets are out of the question for young children because the pieces are dangerously small. LEGO DUPLO, on the other hand, has two very specific age ranges: ages one and a half years and older and two years and older. LEGO Juniors are designed for children ages four to seven and act as a transition from LEGO DUPLO to regular LEGO bricks. Even if you think that your child is mature for their age, stick with the ranges clearly marked on the box to keep your child safe.
Other considerations
Besides age range, there are a few other elements to consider before discovering the perfect LEGO DUPLO set for your child.
Theme
Interest energizes a child and is considered the driving force behind learning. Whether it’s princesses or superheroes, animals or food, birthdays or playgrounds, trucks or planes, police or firefighters, LEGO DUPLO has a set that feels like it was designed specifically for your child. If your child is old enough to have developed interests, purchase a set that encourages exploration of that world. If your young one hasn’t developed obvious interests yet, choose a set that you can enjoy exploring together.
Playability
With younger children, building may be the least important aspect of a LEGO DUPLO set; it’s all about shapes and colors. If you take the time to build a tower, you child will probably have more fun pulling it apart. As children get older, building becomes a means to an end because they will be assembling something to play with. At this stage, purchasing a LEGO DUPLO set with figures that kids can use to tell the stories that are in their imagination becomes a critical playability factor.
Cost
The best part about LEGO DUPLO sets is that the quality is consistent. It doesn’t matter if you’re getting a $5 ladybug or a $100 construction site, you’ll find the same quality bricks in each set. What you get for your money is simply more bricks and a greater variety of building options. Look for a LEGO DUPLO set that fits comfortably within your budget.
FAQ
Q. My child is chewing on her LEGO DUPLO bricks. Is that safe?
A. Although LEGO DUPLO bricks are nontoxic and they meet or exceed safety standards for children, it is not advisable to allow your child to place them in her mouth. Biting down on the bricks can be painful to a younger child’s gums and that same action may be harmful to an older child’s teeth.
Q. Are LEGO DUPLO bricks compatible with regular LEGO bricks?
A. Yes! LEGO DUPLO bricks are designed to fit together with regular LEGO bricks so you can combine sets. However, it is important that only older children do this because the pieces found in regular LEGO sets present a choking hazard to younger children
Q. How do I clean my child’s LEGO DUPLO pieces?
A. If your child’s LEGO DUPLO bricks are getting dirty, hand-wash them in water that is no hotter than 104°F. Use a soft cloth and mild detergent to gently clean the bricks. After washing, rinse them thoroughly and pat dry with a soft towel. Leave the bricks out until they’re thoroughly air-dried. Never place your LEGO DUPLO pieces in a washer, dryer, oven, or microwave because this will damage them.