To some AFOLs, liking Legos is something that requires no substantial reasons. "I like Legos because I do...and it's none of your business," some may say. I've recently began questioning my "addiction" to Lego products. I wonder, "Is it fulfilling something in my life that was once missing?" or "What about Lego products make me so happy?". Rationally, I feel that Lego is something I do not need in life. However, there's another part of me that really enjoys every spoiler season and treating myself to a set every now and then since heck, it's expensive. I want to know why I like Legos.

I find this a strange question, as only you can answer that for yourself. Also, does it matter? If it makes you happy, do you really need to be able to pinpoint why it does?

For me, it's that it lets me use the creative side of the brain and it provides quality time together for my daughter and I.

It is not something harmful to you (unless you are spending excessive money on it) and it makes you happy.

I don't think you need any other reasons than these.

Edited April 27, 201311 yr by Dharkan

I have never really asked myself why I like them. I have always known that they are the greatest toy/creative invention to me. They are well made, with care and are right priced. The possibilities are infinite and they do not really lose value (economic, playability and emotional) over time.

I have questioned this a few times, wondering "why exactly do I like these?". I've come to answer that they're a creative art form, they allow you to make whatever you want, with infinite possibilities.

And building a set is really fun .

I think anyone who enjoys Lego but questions why they do is somewhat confused or insecure about who they are. Yes to a lot of society, Lego is just a kids toy. But to those who hold onto the love for Lego, I dont think need any reason to like it. Lego sorta grabs onto you, and opens an entire new world of possibilities that isnt really ever seen with anything else. Lego isnt one thing, but an infinite everything.

Simply, I dont question why I like Lego, I question why others dont. Lego has something for everyone.

The main reason someone asks that sort of question is because they are still looking at Lego through the filter of "it's a toy". If you had begun painting as a child and still liked to paint would you question that? How about sculpting in clay? Building accurate models or miniatures? Lego is simply a hobby that functions as a creative outlet. It is the medium through which you express your desire to doodle and create as a hobby. It is further buffered by a slight collector hobby that can come with the retail products.

The main reason someone asks that sort of question is because they are still looking at Lego through the filter of "it's a toy". If you had begun painting as a child and still liked to paint would you question that? How about sculpting in clay? Building accurate models or miniatures? Lego is simply a hobby that functions as a creative outlet. It is the medium through which you express your desire to doodle and create as a hobby. It is further buffered by a slight collector hobby that can come with the retail products.

This. I still run into people who don't "get" Lego. One of my other hobbies is drawing, and tell people Lego is like drawing... and in addition there is an engineering component as well. Still people can't seem to shake that "toy" stereotype...

I enjoy looking at small versions of cities. Whether it be model train layouts or LEGO cities. LEGO just happens to be the medium I have from childhood. It has just enough detail, variety of sets, price, and ease of build to keep me interested. I couldn't take the time and patience to construct a detailed HO scale city. I would want much attention to detail, but that comes at very heavy price in time, and probably money. Plus, I really like the fact that if I wanted to stage a wreck or damage to a building, it wouldn't permanently disfigure the set

I can understand that question. But you can attach that same question to any hobby. It all boils down to, you just like it. None of my friends growing up had any LEGO, only I did. Why did I like it, when no one else around me did? That is a bigger question. To me, it is innate. You can come into the hobby as an adult and still enjoy the building, but if you liked it as a child, you are more likely to continue to like it as an adult. I don't think I'm explaining it very well. I like LEGO. I was born that way. I don't choose to like LEGO, I just do.

I can understand that it is a toy, but when it comes down to it, it isn't "just" a toy. Even though I think I just referred to it as just a toy in another post not too long ago. But it is a creative medium that allows you to build/destroy whatever you may like. Plus it allows "play" time with the children (if you have any halflings in your life).

I can understand that question. But you can attach that same question to any hobby. It all boils down to, you just like it. None of my friends growing up had any LEGO, only I did. Why did I like it, when no one else around me did? That is a bigger question. To me, it is innate. You can come into the hobby as an adult and still enjoy the building, but if you liked it as a child, you are more likely to continue to like it as an adult. I don't think I'm explaining it very well. I like LEGO. I was born that way. I don't choose to like LEGO, I just do.

I can understand that it is a toy, but when it comes down to it, it isn't "just" a toy. Even though I think I just referred to it as just a toy in another post not too long ago. But it is a creative medium that allows you to build/destroy whatever you may like. Plus it allows "play" time with the children (if you have any halflings in your life).

I honestly loved this response. I as well feel that I like Lego because I like Lego.

Never really asked myself this, but i always got LEGO when I was a kid back in the 90s and I always wanted to have better and more armies and now I can buy them myself :P

I enjoy putting the bricks together and seeing the finished result. I like the fact that you can make anything and if you make a mistake... no wasted materials.

It takes me back to my childhood. More than that... it takes me back to the mindset I was on when I was actually a kid.

Yes. I ask myself.

Like some people have mentioned, I often question why a 46 year old likes "playing" with LEGO (despite the fact that I build and display - although I do have trains that I run - but then a lot of adults are train fans).

I think I like LEGO though, for the same reason I like engineering (and eventually became a computer programmer). I just like building things, I like the challenge involved in doing it in LEGO, and it's fun.

More than once, and I suppose my answer is pretty similar to everyone else's - nostalgia. The fact I was introduced to it around 5, which is about as far as my memory goes, kind of reinforces that nostalgia. Playing with Lego has always been a good way for me to spend free time when I'm not gaming or watching TV; it's a great hobby overall, and that's basically how I feel.

I like Lego because playing ,building with Lego is fun!! That's it.

Two simple reasons which several have pointed out but maybe not as clinically. 1. Strong emotional connection to receiving Lego in your youth and how the brain reacted with excitement and pleasure. Pleasure receptors in the brain being of course the parts of the brain that tend to lead to addiction. We enjoy feeling good, weird, I know. 2. Creative brain, the brain is stimulated in similar way while creating. Same with sex, food, etc. Once again we like feeling good. You may notice that when you are building you can go without food for longer periods of time than usual. That's because your brain is telling your body through chemicals that everything is fine and good in the world. We can wait longer to pee, longer to eat, and even force ourselves to stay up long past our bed times, because when brain is happy, we need nothing else. :) You tend notice this most when you've been building for 2-3 hours and you thought it was only 30-45 minutes. :thumbsup:

2. Creative brain, the brain is stimulated in similar way while creating. Same with sex, food, etc. Once again we like feeling good. You may notice that when you are building you can go without food for longer periods of time than usual. That's because your brain is telling your body through chemicals that everything is fine and good in the world. We can wait longer to pee, longer to eat, and even force ourselves to stay up long past our bed times, because when brain is happy, we need nothing else. :) You tend notice this most when you've been building for 2-3 hours and you thought it was only 30-45 minutes. :thumbsup:

This is completely true. I've always wondered (since there's no clock where I build) why so much time has passed when it felt so short.

This is completely true. I've always wondered (since there's no clock where I build) why so much time has passed when it felt so short.

Exactly!!

When you are happy doing something you love to do ,you just wish that time didn't exist.

I like it mainly for the Town aspect. I like setting up a town and just looking at it. It makes me smile and building is a great distraction to real life. Of course there's the childhood connection. After getting 10182 Cafe Corner & 10190 Market Street I jumped on eBay and bought a lot of sets I had as a kid. Now that they have all these other themes of franchises I like/love, it makes it all that much better.

It's just such a fun hobby. I've always collected stuff, this is just the next chapter.

I've asked myself the opposite of this question. "Who would I be with out LEGO?"

I've met so many cool and interesting people doing shows, going to conventions, building awesome creations, making so many new friends, being a part of the large AFOL online community. It makes me think that if I was not a part of this, what would I be doing?? Would I be happy with a different hobby? I don't know. All I know is that I love this hobby very much and will continue being a part of it for a very long time.

I guess it's because my parents, friends and relatives have been buying LEGO for me since I was 3 years old - it's gotten to the point where my classmates get me LEGO inmpulse sets or battle packs when we have our annual Secret Santa kind-of-thing. I had hobbies I liked for half a year, a year, a couple of years, but I always came back to LEGO. It truly ia a toy and a tool for developing imagination and creativity.

I've always had a thing for Lego Technic. I don't know why, I've never really thought about any reason for it. I like it because I can challenge my creativity and logical sense when building.

Edited June 18, 201311 yr by Error404

I love LEGO because it's a much more stimulating hobby than 'gaming' which really isn't a real hobby. My parents would much rather me be challenging myself or being creative with limited resources than on my PS3 all night like other teenagers. I like saving for the next set which makes me appreciate something more when I finally get it, I like being proud that I've finished something that I started a period of time ago, I love those days when you have a great idea and can't wait to build it- which motivates me throughout the day in order to have something to look forward to in the evening. I suppose a side-effect (if you like) is having difficulty making friends because nobody really likes what I'm into but I like it and that's what counts. I have questioned it before but can never come up with a legitimate answer but that doesn't matter- I enjoy it.