The Best Lego Duplo Sets to Inspire New and Experienced Little Builders

Our Review Process

To choose the best Lego Duplo sets for this list, we looked at the dozens of sets available from Lego and various retailers, doing careful research to pick a variety of sets for different interests, themes, budgets, and abilities. We also spoke to childhood development experts to include their insight into our selections. 

Our Experts

To glean more insight into Lego Duplo sets, their benefits, considerations, and what to look for when purchasing them, we interviewed the following experts:

• Dana Oliver, founder and CEO of Adventure Kids Playcare
• Amanda Vierheller, COO and co-founder of Playgarden Prep preschool program
• Jacqui DiNardo, mother and blogger at Mommy Maker Teacher, LLC
• Stephanie Ryan, Ph.D.,CEO and Owner at Ryan Education Consulting LLC
• Stacy Doumas, M.D., pediatric psychiatrist, Jersey Shore University Medical Center

Factors to Consider When Buying Lego Duplo Sets

Dr. Doumas notes that Lego Duplo sets are an “ideal toddler toy,” because they allow for fun learning experiences in the cognitive, motor, and social-emotional realms. Kids are building with their hands and minds while navigating the emotions and frustrations of trying to learn a new skill. Plus, she adds that Lego building promotes bonding with multiple family members. Leave Lego bricks out, and you’re bound to wind up with something built by all who pass by. 

While Duplo can be a fun toy, here are some other factors to keep in mind before purchasing. 

• The Benefits of Duplo and Building Toys: “Fine and gross motor skills are just the tip of the iceberg regarding Duplo’s benefits,” mom and blogger DiNardo points out. “They provide many cognitive skills like spatial awareness, problem-solving, imagination, and creativity. They also promote open-ended and independent play. (Hello, morning coffee!)”
• Recommended Age: While Duplo sets are generally intended for toddlers over 18 months old, caregivers should always consider their own child’s readiness. Although Duplo bricks are larger to avoid being a choking hazard, it’s still a good idea to consider if your child may still have a risk. Legos are also made of plastic, so they could be sharp and hurt children with their edges if thrown (or stepped on barefoot). Additionally, parents should consider the safety and developmental readiness of their child when deciding when to introduce a Lego Duplo set, says preschool co-founder Vierheller. “Consider whether your child has the fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination to build with Lego Duplos,” she suggests. “Do they have the focus to sit and work with concentration? Do they have the fine motor skills and hand strength to put the pieces together and take them apart? Also consider the child's interests. Do they enjoy building and creating with blocks?”
• Number of Pieces: Some Duplo sets are as simple as a few pieces while others have over 120 pieces. The beauty is, that you can choose a set that works best for a specific child. “Make sure you aren't getting sets that are too complex for the attention span of the child,” advises education consultant Ryan. “Getting an [18-years-and-up] set for a 5-year-old who hasn't built with Lego before is a quick way to kill their excitement for building.”
• Interests: “There is a Lego set out there for any interest, hobby, and age,” says daycare founder Oliver. Kids can build to their interests—in Marvel, dinosaurs, or Disney princesses—or go creative with free builds.
• Cost: Lego Duplo sets can range from around $15 to over $100, so there’s a wide range for different budgets. And as DiNardo notes, “Parents can consider buying a small set of 20-40 bricks to see how their child likes them before investing in the larger sets.”

Your Questions, Answered

What age are Duplo sets best for? 

Most Lego Duplo sets are intended for toddlers starting at 18 months old and through preschool.  

Is Duplo worth the money? 

“Duplo is well worth the money,” DiNardo says. “The pieces from sets are interchangeable, and they can be combined to create new and limitless designs. The bricks are priced competitively with other similar products like Magna-Tiles.”

Can you use regular Lego with Duplo? 

You can use traditional Lego bricks with Duplo bricks, but there are some limits, DiNardo notes. For instance, traditional Lego base plates will hold Duplo pieces and traditional Lego pieces can fit underneath Duplo bricks, but not on top. In general, larger Lego bricks have a higher chance of being compatible with Duplos. 

Who We Are

Chaunie Brusie, RN, BSN, is a parenting writer and the mother of five children, several of whom are Lego enthusiasts. She’s not a fan of the bricks spread out all over the floor, but she knows that the benefits for her kids far outweigh the potential risks to the bottom of her feet.