Too old for Lego? Never!

All joking aside, Lego is a toy everyone can enjoy. I think you'll find there are several types of FOLs around here, from collectors to MOCers, to minifigure customizers and every other Lego maniac under the sun. Besides, if Lego was strictly kid stuff, many of the bigger, more expensive sets would be shelf warmers. That's the reason why we have the modular buildings, USC Star Wars sets, and I'd go as far as saying Lord of the Rings with its emphasis on detail. To say Lego is child's play is ignorant, but unfortunately there are people who like to keep social stigmas alive and well and lump Lego fans as manchildren or cellar-dwelling geeks. Not true , as most AFOLs I know both on this site and in person are all productive members of society, but I think I'm getting off track.

Just to put things in perspective, if Lego was strictly a children's toy, this community would look a LOT different. Don't be afraid of the "ordinary" people, Lego happens to be our hobby, and the person judging you may have a few skeletons in the closet as well. Keep calm and brick on!

I gave my dad one of the CMF Artists once (he paints as a hobby) and he was really impressed with the level of detail in the figure. The next time I went round he'd bought himself a couple of the Creator sets. He's 70 this year.

Nobody is too old for LEGO, they're just to old to remember how to have fun.

Present your friends with good display models. If they like it, then they could start to accept it as an artistic medium, not strictly a childrens toy. When I was ending my elementary school times, my dad told me that I would be too old for Lego soon, so he didn't want to buy sets for me then. Now I am older and still a dedicated fan. My family now accepts this, and they are aware of the artistic/display potential andpossibly AFOL community. Something that seems to be a good turning point for mainstream adults is their first visit to Legoland (often with children).

@Gorelaxx: None are kids? Of course there are some. Telling them that there is a minimum age of 18 does not stop them from signing-up. There have been some really young guys who have admitted their age, and often got banned.

I've told friends/workmates (and a new girlfriend - wasn't sure how that was going to go) about my hobby of building with Lego. Sure, they all think it's a bit childish at first, but once they see what can be done with it, the attitude changes pretty quickly.

So, if your friends/family think Lego is a child's toy and that you're too old for it, show them what you have done with it, they'll come around. I've done a few expos now and there would be a large percentage of parents who dragged the kids along because they want to see the Lego, not the kids.

I gave my dad one of the CMF Artists once (he paints as a hobby) and he was really impressed with the level of detail in the figure. The next time I went round he'd bought himself a couple of the Creator sets. He's 70 this year.

Nobody is too old for LEGO, they're just to old to remember how to have fun.

Gee! Is he a participant of this forum?

If not, get him involved I need more of my contemporaries here.

Andy D

I would make the argument that LEGO is for adults, not kids. Kids just destroy them, and LEGO are works of beauty, so that seems to be a crime in my books.

Of course I have just spent what seems like three days sorting used parts looking for 100 pieces to use for building #2011 The Duck. Most of our parts were mistreated by my sons when they were young, and can't be used to make the outside of anything that I would want to own.

So forget the kids, raise the age limits to 16plus for every set, and let us adults play LEGO without interruption!

Definitely not just for kids. Just the amount of money you have to spend to start the most basic MOC display should be an indicator that LEGO isn't just for kids. The amount of creativity and precision design I've seen in the AFOL community is light years ahead of what my ten year old creates when he mucks about playing with his LEGO. We don't just play. We create, design and build innovatively too!

So forget the kids, raise the age limits to 16plus for every set, and let us adults play LEGO without interruption!

Yeah there should be a Age Limit on the Box AND a Health Warning.... AND the boxes should only be displayed in a non-see through cover on the top shelf of the Toy Shop.... AND they should only be available via a Doctors Prescription....

Hahaha! Right on!

Yeah there should be a health warning on every lego box: Contents can cause severe AFOL symtoms to adults.

Every one who posts on this website 'plays' with Lego and none of them are kids.

Well, I wouldn't quite say Im a kid but Im not as old as you guys! The reason I still play/build is its fun and helps me decompress!

A guy on YouTube once said: " You don't stop playing because you grow old, you grow old because you stop playing. Be proud, be geek." As others have said its not just for kids, it's for everyone.

Guys, I have a problem. I want to start my Lego hobby, but everyone says that Lego is only for kids and that I’m too old for that. I’m little embarrassed. Should I keep building? Can somebody say me something about it. please

Yes you’re far too old!

When people say something like that I always ask them this, “Who designs sets (toys)? Kids or adults?” Then they realize that this about being a designer and an artist they instantly feel stupid.

Lego is for everyone who likes it

I find that Lego - Technic for me - stimulates my creativity. I have a huge interest in excavators, tractors etc., and Lego Technic allows me to create my "personal" machine.

Whether I make something from scratch or modify an official set, I can create whatever my heart desires. That's Lego.

Age is just a number. I once read that "you're not grown-up until you dare to be childish". And how true isn't that?

Lego is a hobby. Lego, football, modeling, it's a hobby equal to any other hobby. Lego is for everyone who likes it

Edited August 31, 201311 yr by Error404

Age ratings on boxes mean nothing to me, I collect the sets I like regardless of what age it is. As error404 said above Lego is like football or any other collections/hobbies. With Lego you can be creative as you like and the possibilities are endless.

Screw 'em, to be blunt. It's fine that people in your life don't like LEGO, although to me it means they don't understand. For months I had 10210 Imperial Flagship displayed and many people who came to visit couldn't believe that it was LEGO. My guess, especially with the older crowd, LEGO to them is just a lot of colored 2xXX bricks, nothing like it is today.

In the end, if you like it and enjoy it, keep at it. The only thing you're hurting is your wallet.

Honestly - I probably would not be into Lego if the SW UCS line didnt exist. Those sets designated 16+ were the reason I came back to Lego after almost 2 decades.

"To carry on into middle life or even into early manhood [the] concern about being adult is a mark of really arrested development." C.S.Lewis

As my 42 year old friend always says: "growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional"

He is easily the happiest, most well-adjusted person I know.

As my 42 year old friend always says: "growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional"

He is easily the happiest, most well-adjusted person I know.

Good point

Lego is for kids and adults.

This is Eurobricks! What do you think we're gonna say?!

As my 42 year old friend always says: "growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional"

"To carry on into middle life or even into early manhood [the] concern about being adult is a mark of really arrested development." C.S.Lewis

Age is just a number. I once read that "you're not grown-up until you dare to be childish". And how true isn't that?

A guy on YouTube once said: " You don't stop playing because you grow old, you grow old because you stop playing. Be proud, be geek." As others have said its not just for kids, it's for everyone.

This seems to have turned into Cliché-city.

However, all of these are true.

I think Antony C of internet fame but it best:

"If it's strictly something for kids, why do you watch it?"

...of course he's talking about Bronies and MLP there, but it still works for AFOLs.

Of course Lego is just for kids......of all ages that is !

I have thought about this and wondered what separates Lego from other toys and makes it attractive to all ages. Of course, you can make almost anything out of Lego. From my personal perspective, I really like creating things in miniature. So often, this is what Lego does, especially with architecture and scenes. Lego makes an excellent model building tool just like wood, clay, etc. It comes in many shapes and colors, which make the possibilities endless. Also, as an adult with kids, it is something that you could do together as a family. Looking forward to December 1 when the 5 year old, the 6 year old, and myself start with our Advent calendars. The 6 year old will play with his Star Wars version, the 5 year old looks forward to the City version, and I am also doing a City calendar to augment other builds. I can already see putting the Dalmation, grill, and firefighter in the Fire Brigade. The Christmas tree can spruce up the lobby of the Palace Cinema. Anyway, there is so much you can do with Lego.