LEGO's enduring appeal has expanded beyond children, captivating teens and adults alike. The complexity, functionality, and variety of LEGO sets have also dramatically increased. Sets now range from playful builds to intricate display pieces and even home décor items like wall art and plants.
The sheer volume of LEGO sets available presents challenges: locating desired sets and securing reasonable prices. The primary obstacle is LEGO's retirement policy. Even popular sets are retired to make way for new releases, fueling a resale market with inflated prices (often 2-3 times the original cost). Furthermore, LEGO's cost has steadily risen over the years.
Strategic shopping can mitigate these challenges. Below are the best places to find LEGO sets in 2025, along with optimal times for securing deals.
Online LEGO Shopping Destinations
LEGO Insiders Program### LEGO Store
4See it at LEGO
The Best Discounts### Amazon
2See it at Amazon
Accepts LEGO Insider Points### Target
1See it at Target
Exclusive Deals### Walmart
0See it at WalmartThe official LEGO Store offers the broadest selection, easily searchable by theme, price, release date, and customer rating. Excellent customer service and the LEGO Insiders program (with various benefits including early access to sets and exclusive offers) are significant advantages. The points system (6.5 points per dollar spent, 130 points = $1) provides a 5% return on purchases, often doubled during promotional periods.
Amazon, Target, and Walmart provide alternative online options, offering occasional discounts but lacking the LEGO Insiders program and exclusive sets. The LEGO Store typically charges full price except for occasional inventory clearances.
AnswerSee ResultsCarefully compare discounts against the LEGO Insiders program's long-term value.Finding Retired Sets Online
Unofficial marketplaces (Craigslist, eBay, Facebook, etc.) are the only source for retired sets, but expect significantly higher prices. Direct seller contact, negotiation, and comparison shopping are crucial.
In-Store LEGO Shopping
While online stores typically offer greater variety, in-person shopping provides hands-on experience and personalized service. The LEGO Store offers the same Insiders program benefits and interactive features (building stations, minifigure customization). Target and Walmart also have LEGO sections, while Gamestop and Barnes & Noble carry select sets. Discounts are less common in smaller stores, but checking is worthwhile. Brick-and-mortar stores may unexpectedly stock recently retired sets.
LEGO Sale Timing
Beyond standard box-store discounts, LEGO sales are infrequent. However, key dates offer opportunities:
- May 4 (Star Wars Day): Double Insiders points on Star Wars sets.
- March 10 (Mario Day): Similar deals in partnership with Nintendo.
- Year-End Clearance: Significant discounts at box stores due to inventory turnover.
- Holiday Season (Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Amazon Prime Days): Deep discounts.
Monitor sales events for potential LEGO deals.
AnswerSee Results
