LEGO is great for improving cognitive skills, attention span and talent, and it also fosters creativity and the ability to work together as a team. Best of all, the hours spent building a set, playing with it and taking it apart to build it all over again or make something of your own devising creates memories that will last a lifetime.
Whether kids work on the constructions by themselves or with parents or friends, the creative, wholesome play they get from them is the gift that keeps giving.
But if you’re here, we don’t need to convince you to buy your 9-year-old a LEGO set – you’re already doing it. We need to help you find the perfect one for the kid in your life out of the hundreds out there.
We’ve collected a list of 50 LEGO sets perfect for 9-year-olds – a little challenging, fun to play with and fun details to discover. We’ve organized them based on varied interests kids that age may have so that you can go straight for the gold.
Will it be a Disney-themed set, one about dinosaurs or a crafty set of LEGO Dots? The choice is yours, but you can be sure all the options we’ve put together are tried, tested and 9-year-old approved.
The Top 3 LEGO Sets for 9-Year-Olds
| 💰 FOR TIGHT BUDGETS | 🧒🏻 FOR YOUNGER KIDS | 🧒🏼 FOR OLDER KIDS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEGO Minecraft The Mushroom House 21179 | LEGO City Passenger Train 60197 | LEGO Marvel I am Groot 76217 | |
 |  |  | |
| ✅ BEST AGE | 8 years and above | 6 years and above | 10 years and above |
| ❤️ PROS | Cute and colorful build that comes with some great figures | The train is motorized and comes with a 10-speed remote control | His fully articulated joints mean he can pose in hundreds of lifelike ways |
| 💔 CONS | Some parts of the construction can come off quite easily | It uses a lot of batteries | Some elements of the construction are very fiddly |
| 💵 PRICE | $19.99 | $172.81 | Price not available |
Those are our top three picks, but we found so many awesome LEGO sets for 9-year-olds that it was difficult to choose. That’s why it’s a good idea to go through the whole list to find something your 9-year-old will genuinely love.
We’ve got loads of spectacular LEGO sets to get through, so let’s dive in without further ado.
Best LEGO Superheroes
1. LEGO Marvel Iron Man: Iron Monger Mayhem 76190
LEGO Technic meets LEGO action figures in this Iron Man mech set. The mech action figure is packed with cool features — working stud shooters, a glow-in-the-dark arc reactor, an opening cockpit, and a working suspension connecting the body and shoulders for realistic movement. Add some mini-figures and a few accessories and you’ve got a whole afternoon of action-packed play for Iron Man fans.
| Recommended age: 9 years and above |
What We Love:
❤️ Fantastic attention to detail – looks just like it does in the movie
❤️ The Iron Monger has a glow-in-the-dark arc reactor on its chest
❤️ Fun to play with and pose primarily due to the realistic shoulder movement
What We Don’t Love:
💔 Doesn’t hold together as well as some other sets during play
💔 Its knees don’t bend much
2. LEGO Marvel I am Groot 76217
This adorable buildable Baby Groot is a must for Guardians of the Galaxy fans who enjoy challenging LEGO builds. Once built, this little Groot is spectacularly detailed and features fully articulated joints down to the fingers that allow him to pose and dance in super realistic ways. He even comes with a pretend cassette to rock out to his favorite jams.
| Recommended age: 10 years and above |
What We Love:
❤️ His fully articulated joints mean he can pose in hundreds of natural ways
❤️ Adorable Baby Groot packed with details to heighten the realism
❤️ Comes with a cassette and nameplate for display
What We Don’t Love:
💔 Some elements of the construction are very fiddly
💔 The head is heavier than the body which makes it a little fragile
| 💡 For kids more into The Mandalorian than Avengers, this buildable Grogu figure is also an adorable option that’s great for display. |
3. LEGO DC Super Heroes Batmobile: The Penguin Chase 76181
For a superhero LEGO set your kid can play and be rough with, look no further than this Batmobile Penguin Chase set. With spring-loaded shooters that launch when you press the hood, a moving engine and flames shooting out at several points, the Batmobile looks beyond cool. The set also includes Batman and Penguin mini-figures, both with their own weapons so kids can play out endless imaginative scenarios.
| Recommended age: 8 years and above |
What We Love:
❤️ The Batmobile features spring-loaded shooters and various removable flame pieces
❤️ The mini-figures look fantastic and can fit inside the Batmobile
❤️ Great set for playing as it’s sturdy, and there are several interactive elements
What We Don’t Love:
💔 The Batmobile is a bit bulky compared to how it looks in the films
💔 Quite a few small pieces that can get lost
4. LEGO Marvel The Hulkbuster: The Battle of Wakanda 76247
Another excellent Marvel mech action figure set is perfect for kids who love all things Black Panther and Avengers. The highlight is the stunning red and gold Hulkbuster mech with fully articulated joints plus lockable knee joints for stability. It also has an opening cockpit for the Bruce Banner mini-figures (or one of the other three), whose head turns to reveal his Hulk transformation.
| Recommended age: 8 years and above |
What We Love:
❤️ The design of the mech is great both in terms of form and function
❤️ The Hulkbuster can take loads of different poses and remain stable
❤️ Comes with 4 wonderfully detailed minifigs
What We Don’t Love:
💔 The mech’s torso and knee are not really articulated
💔 It’s a pricey set for the size
LEGO Minecraft
5. LEGO Minecraft The Mushroom House 21179
If your kiddo is Minecraft-mad, they’ll love this adorable Mushroom House LEGO set. This colorful set features a red toadstool toy house with lift off-roof so kids can access the rooms inside. With its veggie patch, mooshroom to milk and chest to discover, it’s the perfect set for playing house in quirky style. It can also switch to action in a moment if the skeleton and spider attacks.
| Recommended age: 8 years and above |
What We Love:
❤️ Cute and colorful build that comes with some great figures
❤️ Lots of little details that Minecraft fans will love discovering
❤️ Easy and fun to build, so it’s great for LEGO beginners
What We Don’t Love:
💔 Some parts of the construction can come off quite easily
💔 Not ideal for kids who like to spend more time building
6. LEGO Minecraft The Horse Stable 21171
Minecraft and horses are two things that will consistently rank highly on a list of 9-year-olds’ interests, so this Minecraft Horse Stable set is a surefire win. It’s also great for kids who like getting creative with LEGO, as the stables can be rearranged differently and kids can even build an obstacle course for the horses. Another excellent Minecraft touch is the addition of a skeleton horseman.
| Recommended age: 8 years and above |
What We Love:
❤️ The horse figures are adorable, and there’s even a skeleton horse
❤️ Comes with carrots for the horses and an obstacle course they can jump over
❤️ The instructions are easy to follow and allow for various configurations
What We Don’t Love:
💔 The construction is a little simple for experienced LEGO builders
💔 It’s not one of the most spectacular looking sets
7. LEGO Minecraft The Pig House 21170
More into pigs than horses? This Pig House is not only bright pink but is shaped like a pig as well. It also has an opening side and roof so kids can play inside, and it comes with an Alex figure, two pigs and carrots to feed them. The only threat is the approaching creeper, but you can always lure him inside and then detonate the house with the explosion function.
| Recommended age: 8 years and above |
What We Love:
❤️ Great for playing thanks to the removable wall and roof and all the accessories
❤️ Features a detonation function plus other interactive features
❤️ A good medium-level challenge for kids to build by themselves
What We Don’t Love:
💔 Difficult to move as the base is not very stable
💔 One of the more pricey Minecraft sets
8. LEGO Minecraft The Ruined Portal 21172
Kids obsessed with Minecraft lore will love this set of the iconic interdimensional gateway and the endless play possibilities it inspires. With this, they can mine obsidian rock to help Steve repair the ruined portal, open the doors and then pass through it into the fiery Nether world. A wither skeleton and hoglin are waiting there, but what happens next’s up to kids’ imaginations.
| Recommended age: 8 years and above |
What We Love:
❤️ The portal actually moves up and down to open and close
❤️ Perfect set for encouraging creative play in Minecraft fans
❤️ Great value as it includes several figures and offers hours of fun
What We Don’t Love:
💔 The construction has some finicky elements
💔 Not the most sturdy set
| 💡 Want even more Minecraft LEGO to choose from? This Pirate Ship Adventure set is also lots of fun. |
Best LEGO Movie Sets
9. LEGO The Movie 2 Pop-Up Party Bus 70828
This Pop-Up Party Bus is inspired by the LEGO Movie 2 and is positively popping with fun. With its cute futuristic design, the bus looks exactly like its movie counterpart. And just as a party bus should, it boasts foldout loudspeakers, a rotating dance floor with light brick and four figures to dance on it. These LEGO Movie characters include buildable Disco Kitty and Unikitty figures.
| Recommended age: 9 years and above |
What We Love:
❤️ Adorable set in unique colors
❤️ brimming with interactive play features
❤️ The light brick and foldout speakers are excellent additions
What We Don’t Love:
💔 All the hinged elements are fun but do make the set a little unstable
💔 With over 1000 pieces, it’s a time-consuming build
10. LEGO BrickHeadz Minions 40421
The BrickHeadz LEGO sets are quirkily adorable and perfect for Minions fans and kids who love the big-headed cute aesthetic. This includes the pieces to build Belle Bottom, Kevin and Bob figures. While these figures are meant for display, they are also sturdy enough to play with. But be warned – kids may love them so much they’ll beg you for another set to expand their collection.
| Recommended age: 10 years and above |
What We Love:
❤️ BrickHeadz LEGOs are adorably weird
❤️ Includes removable stands, so it’s great for playing and displaying
❤️ Good value for money as you get three buildable figures
What We Don’t Love:
💔 They aren’t really interactive once built
💔 Some 9-year-olds might find the construction a bit too challenging
| 💡 Complete your BrickHeadz Minions collection with Gru, Stuart and Otto. |
11. LEGO Avatar: The Way of Water Mako Submarine 75577
Based on the latest film, this eye-catching set is perfect for Avatar fans. With three coral reef settings and an alien stingray, it’s a gorgeously colorful set. While it will look spectacular on your display shelf, it’s also lots of fun to play with thanks to the four mini-figures and the set’s main feature: a Mako submarine model with two opening cockpits and three movable propellers.
| Recommended age: 9 years and above |
What We Love:
❤️ Beautifully colorful and detailed set that’s still not too much of a challenge
❤️ The submarine looks fantastic. It includes several moving features
❤️ Comes with four mini-figures plus a stingray
What We Don’t Love:
💔 Lots of tiny parts
💔 It would be nice to have a base to connect everything to
12. LEGO Star Wars TIE Bomber 75347
The TIE Bomber is an iconic spaceship from The Empire Strikes Back, so fans of the older Star Wars movies will get a massive kick out of this set. The Bomber is built for play, with its opening cockpit and warhead bay that can drop four torpedoes. Minifig collectors will love that it comes with four figures: Darth Vader, Vice Admiral Sloane, a Bomber pilot and a Gonk Droid.
| Recommended age: 9 years and above |
What We Love:
❤️ Great authentic design on the TIE Bomber – way better than earlier sets
❤️ Full of great details including a torpedo firing mechanism
❤️ The minifigs are an excellent match for the set, especially the Gonk Droid
What We Don’t Love:
💔 The Bomber is a little small compared to the figures
💔 It’s a challenging build so won’t suit all 9-year-olds
13. LEGO Avatar: The Way of Water Metkayina Reef Home 75578
Another excellent option for Avatar fans, this set is perfect for kids who love role-playing the daily life of their favorite characters. With the included figures as Avatars, kids can venture out into Pandora’s oceans to catch fish for dinner, which they can prepare in the kitchen of the Metkayina Reef Home. With all its coral, fish and accessories, this set is beautiful and great for imaginative play.
| Recommended age: 9 years and above |
What We Love:
❤️ Packed with beautiful and authentic details
❤️ The construction is a good level of challenge
❤️ Super fun to play with thanks to all the accessories of daily life in Pandora
What We Don’t Love:
💔 Quite a few small loose pieces that can get lost
💔 It’s challenging to move as there isn’t a solid base
| 💡 Want more LEGO Avatar? This Skimwing Adventure set makes a great addition. |
Best LEGO Ninjago Sets
14. LEGO NINJAGO Legacy Fire Dragon Attack 71753
LEGO Ninjago fans will adore this fearsome bright red buildable dragon. With sharp claws, several articulated joints and a saddle on its back for a Ninja mini-figure, this set is perfect for high-flying, high-adrenaline adventures. It also comes with four character mini-figures, all armed with weapons, including the evil skeletal general Wyplash and a limited edition Golden Nya figure.
| Recommended age: 8 years and above |
What We Love:
❤️ The dragon is vibrantly colored and looks very cool
❤️ Features posable wings, mouth, tail and legs
❤️ Great for play as it’s sturdy and comes with 4 mini-figures
What We Don’t Love:
💔 The wings don’t always stay open when you pose them
💔 No joints in the ankles
15. LEGO NINJAGO Legacy Boulder Blaster 71736
Considering it’s a relatively simple build, this Boulder Blaster set looks magnificent when completed. It’s also about the action with a super cool rotating missile shooter at the front of the airplane and a prison for a captured Ninja. It comes with four character mini-figures, including a limited edition golden Kai, so it’s perfect for recreating scenes from the TV show or coming up with your own stories.
| Recommended age: 8 years and above |
What We Love:
❤️ The boulder blaster looks fantastic and is full of authentic details
❤️ The rotating missile shooter has surprising range and speed
❤️ Comes with 4 minifigs including a golden Kai
What We Don’t Love:
💔 The missile shooter is a little over responsive
💔 Not the best for kids who enjoy challenging builds
16. LEGO NINJAGO Jay’s Titan Mech 71785
Looking for a buildable action figure for your Ninjago enthusiast? This Titan Mech set is sure to impress any fan of the show. The mech is exquisitely detailed and packed with play features, such as a cockpit for Jay, a dragon blade, two katana swords and two shooters mounted on its shoulders. This action-packed set also has five armed mini-figures and a stud-shooting crossbow on a wagon.
| Recommended age: 9 years and above |
What We Love:
❤️ Super fun for kids who enjoy complex builds
❤️ The mech looks fantastic and has fully articulated joints
❤️ Loads of interactive play features and accessories
What We Don’t Love:
💔 It’s a pricey set
💔 Some kids may find it challenging as many of the pieces are very small
17. LEGO NINJAGO Legacy Ultra Sonic Raider 71739
This Ninjago Ultra Sonic Raider is a splurge-worthy gift that keeps giving. It consists of four vehicles – a jet plane with spring-loaded shooters, a motorcycle and two all-terrain vehicles – all connecting to create the spectacular Ultra Sonic Raider. With everything there is to do, kids will return to this set long after it’s built. They’ll also love that it comes with a whopping seven mini-figures.
| Recommended age: 9 years and above |
What We Love:
❤️ Awesome Ultra Sonic Raider that separates into four different vehicles
❤️ Construction is a fun and engaging challenge
❤️ Comes with several collectible mini-figures and cool golden weapons
What We Don’t Love:
💔 Some parts of the build are a little finicky
💔 It doesn’t stand up that well to rough play
Best LEGO Disney Sets
18. LEGO Disney and Pixar’s Lightyear XL-15 Spaceship 76832
This set of Buzz’s spaceship from Pixar’s Lightyear will surely take fans to infinity and beyond. It’s beautifully detailed and perfect for your display shelf, especially as it comes with an informative display plaque. On the flip side, it’s also great for role-playing thanks to the opening cockpit, removable fuel cell and all the mini-figures and accessories. My personal favorite is the robot cat Sox and his laptop.
| Recommended age: 8 years and above |
What We Love:
❤️ Great LEGO design with lots of little details in the spaceship
❤️ Sturdy enough to play with and has some fun moving parts
❤️ Comes with a display stand and informative plaque
What We Don’t Love:
💔 You have to apply a lot of stickers
💔 The mini-figures are not very accurate to the movie
19. LEGO Disney BrickHeadz Pluto Goofy Set 40378
These adorable, buildable BrickHeadz Pluto and Goofy figures are the perfect addition to any Disney fan’s bedroom. With the two side by side, the differences between Pluto and Goofy are noticeable despite both being dogs. Kids with a sense of humor will get a kick out of this. It’s also a more budget-friendly set, so it’s a good choice if you’re looking to save money.
| Recommended age: 10 years and above |
What We Love:
❤️ Super cute and colorful addition to a Disney fan’s bedroom
❤️ The figures are sturdy and fun to build
❤️ Pluto and Goofy make great BrickHeadz
What We Don’t Love:
💔 The figures are pretty small
💔 A little simplistic compared to some other BrickHeadz
20. LEGO Disney and Pixar’s Lightyear Zurg Battle 76831
This is another excellent set for Lightyear fans, especially those who love playing with action figures. Of course, the evil mech Zurg is the highlight, with his poseable joints and space to slot the stolen fuel cell. But the team ready to battle him are pretty cool, too — there’s Buzz with his jetpack and laser gun, Izzy Hawthorne with her stud shooter, plus a LEGO robot and Sox, the cat.
| Recommended age: 7 years and above |
What We Love:
❤️ A straightforward build that’s great for reenacting battle scenes
❤️ Zurg has 13 articulation points and looks just like he does in the movie
❤️ You can switch out Buzz and Izzy’s hairdos for their purple caps
What We Don’t Love:
💔 Pretty quick to build which some kids may find disappointing
💔 Doesn’t come with helmets for Buzz and Izzy
| 💡 If you’ve got a younger kid who also loves Buzz, why not get them this Zyclops Chase set so they don’t feel left out? |
Best LEGO Harry Potter Sets
21. LEGO Harry Potter Hogwarts Chamber of Secrets 76389
Enchant your little Potterhead with this pervasive set of Hogwarts, including the Chamber of Secrets. The chamber is complete with its iconic circular entrance and large statue with an opening mouth and the rooms above are also full of great details to inspire creative roleplay. In addition, the set includes no less than 11 mini-figures, several accessories, six collectible wizard cards and an articulated basilisk.
| Recommended age: 9 years and above |
What We Love:
❤️ Fantastic attention to detail in the building and accessories
❤️ Includes 11 mini-figures and an articulated basilisk
❤️ A fun building project that also combines with other LEGO Hogwarts sets
What We Don’t Love:
💔 It’s pricey considering it isn’t the entire castle
💔 Lots of small loose pieces that can get lost
22. LEGO Hogwarts Wizards Chess
Wizard’s chess is an iconic concept from Harry Potter, so if your kid is an HP fan who enjoys chess, this is a no-brainer. What’s especially awesome about this set is that once you’ve built it, you have an awesome chess set to play on. It also comes with Harry, Ron and Hermione figures to reenact the scene from the movie and an anniversary edition golden Snape.
| Recommended age: 10 years and above |
What We Love:
❤️ Builds real usable chess set
❤️ The chess pieces are exquisitely detailed but sturdy
❤️ Great for fans of chess and HP or teaching kids how to play
What We Don’t Love:
💔 The pieces can fall over quite easily as they aren’t magnetic
💔 It’s a challenging and time-consuming build
23. LEGO Harry Potter Hufflepuff House Banner 76412
A more affordable option that will still satisfy any Potterheads sorted into Hufflepuff is this compact set featuring the Hufflepuff House Banner. With its included hanger, this can become a piece of wall art to display your Hufflepuff pride, or it can be opened out for play. With its lenticular backboard and Hufflepuff-themed accessories and mini-figures, this set is an ode to the house of the badger.
| Recommended age: 9 years and above |
What We Love:
❤️ Can be used as cool HP-themed wall art
❤️ Opens up to reveal loads of details and accessories to play with
❤️ Kids can collect each house banner and the figures that come with it
What We Don’t Love:
💔 There aren’t that many interactive features
💔 Not that many pieces for the price
| 💡 Whether you want the full collection or your kid was sorted into a different house, you’ll be glad to know you can get the Gryffindor, Slytherin and Ravenclaw banners too. |
24. LEGO Harry Potter Hogwarts Astronomy Tower 75969
Whether your kiddo wants to build the entire Hogwarts castle or loves Ravenclaw and astronomy, they’ll be over the moon to receive this set. With several rooms on multiple levels packed with stunning details, it offers so much to discover. It also gets you eight mini-figures, including rare ones like Lavender Brown and Professor Slughorn, plus loads of adorable accessories and even a tiny Hedwig.
| Recommended age: 9 years and above |
What We Love:
❤️ The details inside the rooms make this a great set for playing and displaying
❤️ Comes with lots of minifigs, including some rare ones
❤️ A stunning stand-alone set or for combining with other Hogwarts sets
What We Don’t Love:
💔 It’s a little small for the high price tag
💔 Some elements of the build come apart quite easily
Best LEGO Super Mario Sets
25. LEGO Super Mario Adventures with Mario Starter Course 71360
With this innovative LEGO set, kids experience a game of Super Mario in real life. Once they have built the course, they can take Mario through it, from the Start Pipe to the Goal Pole. If they connect to the app they’ll collect virtual coins along the way and either way, Mario will react to movements via his microphone and LCD screen eyes and chest.
| Recommended age: 6 years and above |
What We Love:
❤️ You can earn virtual points and collect virtual as you play
❤️ Mario reacts to movement with real sounds from the game
❤️ You can configure the course however you like
What We Don’t Love:
💔 Doesn’t come with a physical instruction booklet
💔 Doesn’t keep kids away from screens as it requires interacting with the app
| 💡 Does your little gamer prefer Luigi over Mario? Never fear; the other brother has his own starter course as well. |
26. LEGO Super Mario Bowser’s Castle Boss Battle Expansion Set 71369
Already have the Super Mario Starter course? Then check out this fantastic Bowser’s Castle expansion pack that won Toy of the Year in 2021. It features real moving parts that accurately recreate the Boss Battle challenges with Bowser, a Question Block, and a Time Block for more fun gameplay. Will Mario flip, shake and balance his way to victory, or will Bowser win?
| Recommended age: 8 years and above |
What We Love:
❤️ The real game elements make this super fun to play with
❤️ The building and figures are both super sturdy even when they shake or fall
❤️ It’s a complex set, but the app instructions make construction a breeze
What We Don’t Love:
💔 Doesn’t come with a Mario figure
💔 To get the instructions you have to use the app
27. LEGO Super Mario mini-figures Series 6 – Green Toad Character 71414
This Green Toad mini-figures makes an excellent stocking stuffer for fans of Super Mario. It’s not an extensive set, but there is a quick build in the form of Toad’s relaxation spot under a palm tree. Kids can play with him on their LEGO Super Mario courses or simply place him on their desk or windowsill as a little companion.
| Recommended age: 5 years and above |
What We Love:
❤️ A cute and affordable stocking stuffer
❤️ Great addition to any other LEGO Super Mario set
❤️ In his relaxation spot, Toad looks adorable as a desk or windowsill decor
What We Don’t Love:
💔 He doesn’t have electronic parts so won’t be able to play on the courses and earn points
💔 There’s very little to build
28. LEGO Super Mario Toad’s Treasure Hunt Expansion Set 71368
Take Toad on a treasure hunt extraordinaire with this expansion set to go with your starter course. This set will increase the fun exponentially as it has so many obstacles to traverse and ways to rack up coins. There are sliding and rotating platforms, ten action bricks, a Goomba and two Cheep Cheeps and Toad and Toadette figures. Kids will love getting lost in this mushroom wonderland.
| Recommended age: 8 years and above |
What We Love:
❤️ Full of fun obstacles and action bricks
❤️ A cute and creative set that’s fun to build
❤️ Comes with several figures and a treasure chest
What We Don’t Love:
💔 You have to buy a Mario starter course separately
💔 Not a screen-free toy as you have to use an app
Best LEGO Animals & Nature
29. LEGO Creator 3 in 1 Majestic Tiger to Panda or Koi Fish Set 31129
The LEGO Creator sets are ideal for kids who love the building aspect of LEGO. This one comes with bricks to make a majestic tiger, which can be rebuilt into a red panda or koi fish. Each build also features cute details to set the scene while it’s on display, like a water lily or bonsai tree. They also all have articulated joints for more fun playing and posing.
| Recommended age: 9 years and above |
What We Love:
❤️ The animals look stunning and are impressively large
❤️ Each build has several points of articulation
❤️ Amazing attention to detail makes them super lifelike
What We Don’t Love:
💔 Kids who like to display their LEGO may be disappointed they can’t build all three at once
💔 It’s quite a challenging build so not best for beginners
30. LEGO BrickHeadz Pets 40479
BrickHeadz LEGOs make great desk ornaments; this set is the one for dog lovers. It’s a relatively simple and affordable set. Still, it makes two adorable BrickHeadz dalmations that will be the perfect addition to a 9-year-old’s bedroom – they even come with a buildable dog basket. There are also many other dog breeds to choose from if dalmations aren’t your kid’s favorite.
| Recommended age: 8 years and above |
What We Love:
❤️ Great bedroom decor for dog lovers
❤️ All the options come with a parent and adorable puppy in a dog basket
❤️ Good value for money
What We Don’t Love:
💔 It’s a small set with not very many pieces
💔 It would be nice if they came with some more pet accessories
| 💡 If they love dogs but you’re not sure about the BrickHeadz aesthetic, you might want to get your kiddo this adorable 3-in-1 dogs set instead. |
31. LEGO Creator Fierce Flyer 31004
If you love the Creator sets, but your kiddo is more into birds than tigers, this option is for you. The main build is a fearsome eagle boasting articulated wings, gripping talons, posable tail feathers, and feet. Once kids have had enough of this ruler of the skies, they can take it apart and build the cute beaver or venomous scorpion next.
| Recommended age: 7 years and above |
What We Love:
❤️ 3 builds in one that all look stunning on display
❤️ Sturdy enough to handle rough play
❤️ The eagle is incredibly detailed and can pose in lots of different ways
What We Don’t Love:
💔 A little small compared to other Creator sets
💔 Some 9-year-olds may find the construction too easy
Best LEGO Vehicles
32. LEGO Technic Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 42093
Zoom your way to glory with this gorgeous Chevrolet Corvette LEGO set. LEGO Technic is an excellent gift for technically-minded kids and this one is perfect if your kid is a car fanatic too. Featuring active steering and visible moving pistons, the finished car is a blast to race around the house. Plus, kids can also use the pieces to build a classic Hot Rod car.
| Recommended age: 9 years and above |
What We Love:
❤️ Features working steering and visible moving pistons
❤️ 2-in-1 set makes a stunning Corvette and a cute classic Hot Rod
❤️ The Corvette is an impressively large and accurate model
What We Don’t Love:
💔 Only includes instructions for the Corvette. Still, you can find the Hot Rod instructions online
💔 The pieces aren’t sorted into numbered bags which makes it more challenging
| 💡 More into Bugatti than Chevrolet? This Bugatti Bolide Racing Car is also an awesome set for building and racing. |
33. LEGO Technic Firefighter Aircraft 42152
This Firefighter Aircraft set is perfect for aspiring firefighters and kids who love aircraft of all kinds. It’s rated as 10+, which means it’s quite a challenging build, but the LEGO app makes construction much more accessible. And with the adjustable landing gear, spinning propellers and moving tail flaps, there’s so much fun to discover once it’s built. It even comes with blue LEGO pieces to act as the water.
| Recommended age: 10 years and above |
What We Love:
❤️ Super realistic and impressively large model aircraft
❤️ Lots of details and fun play features
❤️ Comes with blue water LEGO pieces to douse pretend fires
What We Don’t Love:
💔 Construction may be too challenging for some kids
💔 The propellers can fall off during play
34. LEGO Creator 3in1 Viking Ship and The Midgard Serpent 31132
Set sail for the seven seas with this wonderfully imaginative 3-in-1 Viking Ship set. This set has much to get kids’ imaginations flowing, from the menacing sea serpent to the viking minifigs to the fabulous regalia. Kids can play out all kinds of stories on this ship and continue them later when they attempt the other constructions: a beautifully detailed viking house and a giant Fenris wolf figure.
| Recommended age: 9 years and above |
What We Love:
❤️ Three awesome viking themed constructions in one
❤️ Lots of attention to detail on the ship and serpent
❤️ Great set for getting kids’ imaginative role play juices flowing
What We Don’t Love:
💔 The ship doesn’t come with oars
💔 You can’t play with all 3 constructions at once
35. LEGO City Passenger Train 60197
With this LEGO City set, kids can build a motorized train and track that looks just like it does in the show. Even if your kid doesn’t watch LEGO City, this train is still a blast to send down the track with the 10-speed RC. The track can be configured however you like, and it also comes with a train platform and four minifigs for more realistic play.
| Recommended age: 6 years and above |
What We Love:
❤️ The train is motorized and comes with a 10-speed remote control
❤️ The train has a sleek and modern design and drives smoothly
❤️ Kids love train sets, and this one is top quality
What We Don’t Love:
💔 It uses a lot of batteries
💔 Could do with more track pieces to make a more extensive track
36. LEGO Creator 3in1 Twin Rotor Helicopter 31096
Another great option for kids who love anything with wings or propellers, this Creator set offers three fun-filled constructions in one. The Twin Rotor Helicopter is the most impressive of the three, with its synchronized rotors, opening cargo bay doors, working winch and a transportable ROV. But once kids have had enough fun with the heli, the jet and hovercraft are packed with cool features too.
| Recommended age: 9 years and above |
What We Love:
❤️ The helicopter has loads of fun and realistic moving parts
❤️ Also makes two other vehicles, each with their own interactive functions
❤️ Great for teaching kids about basic vehicle mechanics
What We Don’t Love:
💔 As there are 3 builds, the pieces don’t come in numbered bags
💔 Only comes with one mini-figures
| 💡 This helicopter is also great fun, but as a Technic set it’s even more detailed and features moving mechanical parts that show how a helicopter works. |
37. LEGO Speed Champions Mercedes-AMG F1 W12 E Performance & Mercedes-AMG Project One 76909
There are many awesome LEGO racing cars out there – what makes this one stand out is you get two cars to race them together. Both are intricately detailed replicas of their real-world counterparts and it’s super interesting to see the differences between an F1 and a regular racing car. Each car also has a driver minifig with a helmet and wrench for those epic Mercedes on Mercedes races.
| Recommended age: 9 years and above |
What We Love:
❤️ Super accurate and detailed Mercedes replicas
❤️ The cars roll smoothly on any indoor surface
❤️ They’re fun to race and look stunning on display
What We Don’t Love:
💔 You have to apply a lot of stickers which can be tricky to do accurately
💔 The F1 driver minifig isn’t designed to look like the real #44 driver
Best LEGO Playsets
38. LEGO Creator 3in1 Medieval Castle Toy to Tower or Marketplace 31120
With this enchanting medieval-themed set, kids can build a castle, a tower with a catapult or a bustling marketplace with the same pieces. Each build offers much to inspire imaginative play, from the fire-breathing dragon to the prison, complete with guards and prisoners. And with so many interactive functions like gates that open, a turnable water wheel and a working catapult, the fun will last for days.
| Recommended age: 9 years and above |
What We Love:
❤️ Amazingly versatile as you get three sets that are all great for imaginative play
❤️ Lots of secrets and surprises to discover as you build
❤️ Packed with interactive features and cool medieval accessories
What We Don’t Love:
💔 Could have done with more stabilizing pieces as it’s a bit flimsy
💔 You can’t play with all 3 sets at once
39. LEGO Creator 3in1 Caravan Family Holiday 31108
With this 3-in-1 Caravan Family Holiday set, kids can play out their ideal family vacation in nature. There are two types of mobile home builds here: a retro caravan and car, a more modern camper van and an awesome lighthouse for even more adventure. And with all the accessories, including three brick-built animals, these builds offer endless opportunities for imaginative vacation roleplay.
| Recommended age: 9 years and above |
What We Love:
❤️ Lots of tiny realistic details aid imaginative play
❤️ 3 colorful and sturdy constructions in one
❤️ Versatile pieces so kids can make their own creative builds too
What We Don’t Love:
💔 You can’t make all 3 builds at once
💔 Might be too easy for 9-year-olds who want a challenge
40. LEGO Creator 3 in 1 Cozy House Toy Set 31139
For a slightly lower price, this Cozy House set is just as wholesome and fun for creative play. With three different houses to build, this is perfect for aspiring architects. One is a traditional family house, a canal house with an office, an art gallery and cafe and an adorably cozy lake house. Each has its own accessories so kids can roleplay different types of daily life.
| Recommended age: 8 years and above |
What We Love:
❤️ Great value for money as it’s three builds in one
❤️ Packed with adorable details
❤️ Allows kids to imagine different types of lives
What We Don’t Love:
💔 There isn’t much to challenge kids in the construction
💔 Not all kids enjoy sets that depict everyday daily life
41. LEGO Friends Heartlake City Shopping Mall 41450
Everyone knows the mall is the perfect setting for stories and this set from LEGO Friends is all about imaginative roleplay. It has five stores to discover, a food court, ATM, a photo booth and many mini-figures to explore. The moving escalator might get kids excited at first, but it’s the range of accessories inviting storytelling that will keep them engrossed for hours.
| Recommended age: 8 years and above |
What We Love:
❤️ Adorable set in a unique color palette
❤️ Features a moving escalator and other interactive features
❤️ So many different mall areas to explore
What We Don’t Love:
💔 Some customers found it to be smaller than expected
💔 It’s a little tricky to move as there isn’t a sturdy base
42. LEGO Friends Main Street Building 41704
If your kid is more familiar with shopping along the main street, this impressive set might suit them better. There is much to discover with a grocery store, salon, home office, skate park and more. Like all LEGO Friends sets, it has adorable details and Friends figures. But on top of that, it has a unique feature – the buildings can be reconfigured however kids want.
| Recommended age: 8 years and above |
What We Love:
❤️ Takes time to build but isn’t too tricky
❤️ Packed with new and exciting accessories
❤️ So many different rooms and play spaces to explore
What We Don’t Love:
💔 Not the sturdiest LEGO building
💔 It’s a pricey set
Best LEGO Dinosaur Sets
43. LEGO Creator Mighty Dinosaur Toy 31058
With this Mighty Dinosaur set, kids can build a T-rex, a Triceratops and a Pterodactyl with the same pieces, so it’s sure to be a winner among dino lovers. Each dinosaur features posable joints and glowing orange eyes, and the T-rex can open its mouth to reveal its fearsome teeth. The T-rex also includes the remains of its prey in the form of a buildable ribcage.
| Recommended age: 7 years and above |
What We Love:
❤️ Impressive amount of detail for the number of pieces
❤️ All the dinosaurs are sturdy and feature articulated joints
❤️ Fantastic value for money
What We Don’t Love:
💔 Lots of tiny pieces which can be hard to keep track off
💔 You can only build one dinosaur at a time
44. LEGO Jurassic World Dominion Giganotosaurus & Therizinosaurus Attack 76949
Fans of Jurassic World Dominion will love this set as it allows them to reenact an iconic scene from the movie. Many fun buildable elements include an HQ, garage, observation tower and helicopter. Even better, there are excellent interactive functions, like a collapsing platform and spinning rotors on the helicopter. But perhaps the biggest draw is the two spectacular dinosaur figures threatening to tear everything down.
| Recommended age: 9 years and above |
What We Love:
❤️ Comes with several mini-figures and other details that reference the movie
❤️ Lots of interactive functions like spinning rotors on the helicopter
❤️ The dinosaur figures are large and detailed
What We Don’t Love:
💔 The lab is a little wobbly while you’re building it
💔 Some may be disappointed that the dinosaurs are not buildable
45. LEGO Jurassic World Dominion T. rex & Atrociraptor Dinosaur Breakout 76948
This dinosaur breakout also depicts a scene from Jurassic World Dominion, but it’s a little more budget-friendly. Don’t worry; it is still brimming with fun, thanks to the awesome T-rex and Atrociraptor figures, a buildable truck that can fit the Atrociraptor inside and a market featuring T-rex enclosure with a breakout function. Kids can have fun staging various dino escapes with this action-packed set.
| Recommended age: 8 years and above |
What We Love:
❤️ A sturdy set with several interactive functions
❤️ Comes with two dinosaurs and four minifigs
❤️ Can combine with the Atrociraptor Bike Chase and Dino Market sets
What We Don’t Love:
💔 Quite an easy build so won’t appeal to everyone
💔 The market is a little simplistic
Best LEGO Sets for Makers
46. LEGO DOTS Message Board 41951
LEGO Dots offers a different kind of LEGO experience, less about following instructions to build a structure and more about exercising creativity to make cute designs. This message board is a great affordable option that can be used as a door sign, notice board or simply a piece of personalized decor. Kids can decorate it with patterns and words they can imagine and change it whenever they want.
| Recommended age: 6 years and above |
What We Love:
❤️ Kids can make any designs they like and redo them whenever they like
❤️ Makes an excellent door sign or personalized bedroom decor
❤️ Comes with a tray to keep the pieces organized
What We Don’t Love:
💔 Loads of tiny pieces. Hence, it’s a pain if they spill
💔 Popping the pieces off the board can be a bit tricky
47. LEGO DOTS Adhesive Patches Mega Pack 41957
If your kiddo would rather bring their LEGO Dots to school with them, this set of adhesive patches is the way to go. With five patches and 450+ tiles, including some cute pictorial ones, the creative possibilities are endless. Kids can stick their patches to notebooks, phone cases, or any hard surface or stitch them onto sturdy fabric like bags or hats.
| Recommended age: 6 years and above |
What We Love:
❤️ The patches can stick to almost anything
❤️ The dots are also compatible with any other LEGO sets
❤️ Comes with a handy sorting tray and loads of colorful dots
What We Don’t Love:
💔 Would be nice if it came with extra adhesive stickers
💔 The tiny tiles can end up all over the place
| 💡 Let your little one customize all their bags and keys with this convenient and versatile LEGO Dots Bag Tags mega pack. |
48. LEGO DOTS Designer Toolkit – Patterns 41961
For a LEGO Dots set with loads more options, check out this Designer Toolkit. This set is great because it offers many decorative items, including a pencil holder, photo frame, bracelet and patches to stitch onto bags, hats, notebooks and more. With all this and more, as well as the fantastic range of colored tiles available, kids can continue to have creative fun for months.
| Recommended age: 8 years and above |
What We Love:
❤️ Comes with lots of different items and tons of dots
❤️ Makes useful pieces that can be endlessly redesigned
❤️ Fosters creativity and self-expression
What We Don’t Love:
💔 It might not appeal to kids who like the building aspect of LEGO
💔 The dots can be a little finicky as they’re so small
49. LEGO Boost Creative Toolbox 17101
This robot-building toy is more than just a LEGO set. Kids can build five LEGO robots and use the included app to program them to perform a range of actions. The app is designed to teach coding in a fun, child-friendly way, giving this toy fantastic educational potential. Each robot is adorable and has unique abilities, so there is always something new to discover.
| Recommended age: 7 years and above |
What We Love:
❤️ You can build five different robots, each with their own skills
❤️ The robots are super cute and can be programmed to do loads of things
❤️ Great way to introduce kids to coding
What We Don’t Love:
💔 Kind of requires and adult with tech knowledge as you may run into issues that need fixing
💔 The app isn’t compatible with older Android devices
50. LEGO DOTS Unicorns Forever Toy Bracelet Making Kit 41802
One great thing about LEGO Dots is that the sets come in options for all budgets and this adorable bracelet-making kit is a lovely affordable gift or stocking stuffer. Along with the colorful tiles, there are also sparkly ones and ones with unicorn designs so kids can create the bracelet of their magical unicorn dreams. This is a must-buy for unicorn-obsessed kids who love getting crafty.
| Recommended age: 8 years and above |
What We Love:
❤️ Makes a cool slap-on bracelet that kids can decorate however they like
❤️ Super cute unicorn-themed tiles
❤️ Great for mixing and matching with other LEGO Dots sets
What We Don’t Love:
💔 Doesn’t come with that many different tiles
💔 Only one bracelet
Frequently Asked Questions About LEGO Sets for 9-Year-Olds
🙋 Is LEGO beneficial for 8-year-olds?
LEGO is beneficial for 8-year-olds and kids of all ages. LEGO offers many benefits, the most obvious being that it helps improve cognitive skills like problem-solving, math and spatial awareness.
LEGO also fosters more general skills that are perhaps even more important, such as focus, planning and patience. Of course, it’s also beneficial for fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination, thanks to all those little pieces that need to go together.
Lastly, working on a LEGO construction with friends or families is great for developing kids’ social and communication skills.
🙋 What age can you introduce your child to LEGOs?
Firstly, let’s be clear that you should not introduce any kids under 3 to LEGO as the small pieces can be hazardous choking hazards. Older than that, as long as your little one isn’t still putting things in their mouth, there’s nothing wrong with giving them an age-appropriate LEGO set.
The youngest age rating of LEGO sets is 4, but that doesn’t mean all 4-year-olds are ready for LEGO. If your kiddo still has a ways to go regarding fine motor skills, it’s probably best to get them DUPLO instead, as these use much larger blocks and move onto LEGO in a couple of years.
So… What LEGO Set Should I Get?
That all depends on what the 9-year-old you’re buying for likes best about LEGO. Some kids are little master builders and love complex sets they can spend hours on and display proudly, while others prefer play-focused sets with many interactive features.
We’ve also selected locations to suit a range of interests 9-year-olds may have, from Minecraft to Super Mario and much more, so there’s something for everyone in the list above.
We tried to offer as broad a range as possible when curating the list while showing you only the best. But if you think we missed anything, please let us know.
