It’s that time of year when you have to come up with gift ideas for the people in your life. If someone on your list is a LEGO Adult, you’ve come to the right place. I’m IGN’s editor in charge of all things LEGO, and I’ve hand-picked some terrific LEGO gift ideas aimed at adult builders.
Top LEGO Gifts for Adults in 2025
Here’s a look at every set in the article. Click on any that look good to you, or keep on reading to find out more info about each set.
LEGO Harry Potter Hogsmeade Village – Collectors’ Edition
A lot’s been made of cozy video games lately, but to me, Hogsmeade Village – Collectors’ Edition is a cozy LEGO set. It’s a gorgeous re-creation of the village near Hogwarts. It’s a big and pricy set; if you want something (a little) less expensive, you can pick up this micro-scale version of Diagon Alley. For more, check out our favorite LEGO Harry Potter sets, as well as the massive in-progress Hogwarts Castle, which is comprised of a whole bunch of sets releasing over the years.
LEGO Icons Sherlock Holmes: Book Nook
This one’s for all the readers out there. LEGO this year has released a number of book nooks, builds that are meant to nestle between volumes on a bookshelf. They’re based on books, and they offer little block-built scenes you can open up (like a book) and enjoy while browsing your collection. This one depicts the famous Baker Street dwelling of everyone’s favorite literary detective, and it comes with five(!) minifigures.
LEGO Super Mario: Game Boy
This one goes out to all the handheld gaming fans of the ‘90s. Nintendo’s mega-popular portable spanned the entire decade and then some, and offered an enormous library of games on the go. This build is nearly a 1:1 re-creation, complete with buttons that feel just like the original when you press them. Also check out our thoughts on the build and our interview with the designer.
LEGO Art Vincent van Gogh – Sunflowers
Vincent van Gogh is one of the most famous painters in the history of the entire planet, and his Sunflowers series is divine. We built this set when it came out and were stunned by the size and quality of this blocky representation, which is about 60% of the size of the real thing. The set has a built-in hook so you can hang it on your wall.
If you like the idea of this set, be sure to check out our guide to the best LEGO Art sets available right now.
LEGO Disney & Pixar Wall-E & EVE
Wall-E may technically be a kids’ movie, but it works just as well (possibly even better) for adults. The world depicted in this movie is grim, and it’s one we’re pretty clearly heading toward if don’t make some changes. That said, the two robots at the center of the movie are adorable, and you can make stunning versions of them out of LEGO blocks with this set. Check out our favorite Disney LEGO sets for more like this.
LEGO Architecture Neuschwanstein Castle
All LEGO architecture sets are aimed at adults, and it’s easy to see why. They’re just not that exciting. They depict real-life buildings. But adults can appreciate the craft that goes into such a design and build. This re-creation of Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany is a piece of art all its own, with its tiny windows and spires, with the whole building set on a tree-lined mountain. It’s gorgeous.
LEGO Ideas: Gremlins – Gizmo
I recently re-watched the two Gremlins movies with my kids, and we all had a great time. These are timeless movies about little monsters causing a ruckus. At the heart of it all is the adorable mogwai Gizmo, buildable in this set with his 3D glasses. Build this set in anticipation of the recently green-lit third Gremlins movie.
What Makes a LEGO Set an Adult LEGO Set?
What do we mean by LEGO sets for adults, exactly? For starters, every LEGO set has a suggested age listed on the box, so we’re looking at the 18+ category here. But three things really separate LEGO sets for kids and sets for adults.
One is the complexity of the build itself. The more difficult it is to piece the set together, the higher the suggested age will be. Some sets have lots of fiddly little parts, or complicated mechanisms to facilitate movement, complete with rubber bands and cranks. How these things fit together can be hard to decipher from the printed instructions, making them better suited to adult builders.
Another reason a set is aimed at adults is that it’s intended for display rather than play. Sets for kids are generally meant to be picked up and played with. They’re sturdy enough to withstand lots of flopping around and bashing against other toys. Sets for adults are usually nicer to look at, and often come with an informational placard you can place next to them.
Finally, there’s the subject itself. Sets for adults can simply be boring for kids. Maybe it’s a botanical LEGO set meant to decorate your house. Maybe it’s a LEGO art set that re-creates a masterpiece, and when it’s built you can actually hang it on your wall. Or maybe it’s a retro-themed set that’s meant to spark nostalgia in builders of a certain age. These are all factors that play into a LEGO set’s age rating.
Chris Reed is a commerce editor and deals expert for IGN. He also runs IGN’s board game and LEGO coverage. You can follow him on Bluesky.
