Today is the International Day of Play — a reminder to spend time creating a more playful world. For me, it’s another excuse to build a Lego kit for myself and another chance to share my love of Lego with CNN Underscored readers. I’m tapping in to celebrate the company’s World Play Day by rounding up my 10 favorite Lego deals right now.
The pride and joy of my Lego collection is the UCS Millennium Falcon. That set is a little too pricey to recommend to everyone, but this smaller version of the legendary Star Wars ship isn't. The scaled-down starfighter is the perfect build to set on your desk. Unwind by assembling a model made of over 900 pieces.
I recently had the chance to chat with the Lego Group’s senior vice president of American operations, Skip Kodak, and he told me this was his favorite set. He remarked about Senna's impact on Brazil and the world of racing. This kit kicked off the Lego Group's collaboration with Formula 1. I was thrilled to see it on sale today, let alone at its all-time low price on Amazon.
Lego just released a new Japanese Maple Bonsai Tree that I loved after building it. If you're a savvy shopper waiting for a deal, the original Bonsai Tree set has dropped to within $1 of its all-time low price while 20% off. The details on this kit make it perfect to use as home decor, and I adore how playful the swappable leaves are.
I bought this Marvel set back at full price and can still recommend it. Today's 36% discount makes it an even better value as Amazon snaps the price to its lowest of the year. This might be a model built to display in your MCU collection, but just the act of assembling a kit like this is a great way to spend some time playing.
R2-D2 might just be the most recognizable robot in all of science fiction. This Amazon discount couldn't have come at a better time, so you can build your version of the astromech droid at its second-best price yet. This would also be a great gift for Dad, if you're still looking for any Father's Day deals.
The newest Superman movie is about to hit theaters, and assembling this set will get you ready for the film about the Man of Steel. It just launched earlier this year and was one of the Lego kits I was most excited to see hit store shelves in January. Now it's on sale for one of the first times and down to its best price ever.
Lego's miniature botanical sets are easily some of the most popular kits for builders of all ages. If you're looking to enjoy the meditative process that is assembling a Lego set, this Mini Orchid would be a great entry point at 20% off. It features a brick-built pot and intricate flower designs that resemble the real plant — no water required.
I love the Creator 3-in-1 lineup, and this camera set is calling to the photographer in me. It assembles more than just a retro camera, with instructions for rebuilding its 261 pieces into two other builds.
Place one of the nine included Lego succulents all around your home for less. This set features several types of cacti and desert plants that can be combined into a single centerpiece or scattered to add a bit of playful charm to any room.
I bought this set back in January when it originally launched, and now it's on sale for the second time. It's one of my favorite ships in the Star Wars universe and makes for a great Lego build, especially now that it's 20% off.
Why these Lego deals are worth shopping
Nearly all of today’s Lego set deals have landed at their lowest prices of the year. Most are also being paired with the best discounts ever, with at least 20% off a wide range of kits from themes like Star Wars, F1, the Botanicals collection, DC and more. Everything also arrives before the weekend, making these kits the perfect last-minute Father’s Day gifts.
What is World Play Day?
World Play Day is the Lego Group’s spin on the United Nations’ International Day of Play. The mission is to take a more intentional approach to sparking play to encourage creativity and even improve well-being. I grew up building and playing with Lego, so this is a cause that’s near and dear to my heart.
As an adult who still unwinds by assembling these building kits, I couldn’t agree more that taking some time to have fun is important. Whether it’s for kids who could use some extra time off their iPads and smartphones or for adults who could use an excuse to have a little more fun, it’s a reminder to channel some whimsy and, well, spend some time playing.
This week, I had a chance to talk with Skip Kodak, the Lego Group’s senior vice president of the Americas, about what it means to play. As fun as it is to swoosh around a brick-built Star Wars X-wing, there’s more to play than just that.
I asked Kodak about how play has evolved for Lego over the years, especially as Lego makes more and more display-focused kits, such as the Botanicals I included above. He expressed that it isn’t just for kids — building any of these kits, whether it’s a model meant to double as home decor or a re-creation of something from pop culture — and just the act of putting together a Lego kit counts as play. Sitting down and building is my preferred way to de-stress, so I’m always looking to share that joy by writing about Lego.
The company is also encouraging play by launching pop-up installations to help the cause. Across the world, from here on the east coast in Boston to overseas in Berlin, London and Shanghai, these in-person activations merge brick-built statues with other activities to help kids — and adults! — spend some time playing.
Why trust CNN Underscored
Here at CNN Underscored, we make it our job to stay up on all the latest products, but we don’t just find them; we also rigorously test products from hundreds of brands to ensure every gift you give is a hit. As for this discount, you’re getting a recommendation from a lifelong Lego fan.
Senior deals editor Rikka Altland has been building Lego since before she could form full sentences. She has also reported on Lego professionally for nearly a decade and has collected kits for nearly twice as long. Altland is always buying new kits, so when she says she loves a set and thinks it’s worth buying, she’s putting her money where her mouth is.
Rikka Altland is CNN Underscored’s senior deals editor. Using her nearly decade of experience in the space, she covers all things discounts and savings as well as product launches on the latest reveals and gadgets. You’ll find Altland exploring trendy new restaurants or cheering at Rangers games.
