How to Get Free LEGO?

LEGO is among the most popular and most iconic / cult toys out there, but LEGO sets, or even individual bricks and pieces, can be expensive. Luckily, there are ways to get free LEGO, or at least cheap LEGO.

The Danish toy giant's building blocks have been around since 1949, and by 2015, more than 600 billion little LEGO bricks had been made. 🏗

The LEGO brand is so popular that it has spawned theme parks like LEGOLAND, its own stores (the LEGO Stores), video games (LEGO Star Wars: The Original Trilogy, LEGO Jurassic World, ...), TV series (LEGO Ninjago, LEGO DC Comics: Batman Be-Leaguered, ...) and movies (The LEGO Movie 1 and 2, The LEGO Batman Movie, ...).

And playing with these bricks is not just about having fun. Kids who play with LEGO develop curiosity and creativity, and a real interest in anything to do with making things.

The same goes for adults, who build models and dioramas called MOCs, which come close to complex works of art and involve a good deal of challenge, ingenuity and creativity! 🧠

What if there were a way to get these hugely popular bricks for free, or with really great discounts? We'll try to hand you the Holy Grail of toys! 🧸

I) The LEGO Insiders Program (Formerly LEGO VIP)

Like most retailers, the LEGO Shop has a rewards program: LEGO Insiders, which replaced the former LEGO VIP program in August 2023.

With this free program, you earn points on your purchases in LEGO brand stores and on the company's official website. You can also earn bonus points by scanning the QR code in the building instructions of your sets, even if you bought them from another retailer.

As a LEGO Insider, you'll earn points toward discounts, members-only gifts, and exclusive monthly promotions and special offers. 🛒

The program also gives you early access to exclusive LEGO sets and licenses before their release, which is especially handy when a LEGO set catches your eye 👀!

Back in the VIP days, for example, members got early access to the LEGO Creator Expert Locomotive / train set #10277 (July 1, 2020), LEGO Star Wars The Razor Crest #75292 (2020), LEGO Jurassic World / Jurassic Park T. rex Rampage #75936 (June 19, 2019 for VIP members, July 1 for the general public) and the LEGO Batman Batmobile #76139, the real 1989 ride.

II) LEGO Deals and Discounts: Look for the Gems!

Many retailers will give you promo codes and free offers if you spend over a certain amount, as with the LEGO Insiders program.

The LEGO Shop is no exception. If you spend over a certain amount (the threshold varies by country), shipping is free. 🎁

Even better, for limited periods LEGO offers a free "gift with purchase" when you spend over a certain amount.

The featured gifts and the product lines they apply to change regularly, so it's worth checking back often. 🔄

If you go to their "Sales & Deals" page, you'll see all the promotions currently on offer.

Buying a LEGO building set without checking whether you qualify for special offers is like leaving money on the table. 💸

Something savvy shoppers like you hate doing!

Some stores, such as the French toy retailers JouetClub, King Jouet and La Grande Récré, or Toys R Us, also offer discounts and special deals on products from various LEGO themes, especially in the run-up to the holidays. 🎄

III) LEGO Minifigure Swap: Trade Your Minifigures!

LEGO Stores often hold events throughout the year.

Do you or your child have a set or minifigures from any LEGO theme that you no longer use or have duplicates of?

Then keep an eye out for minifigure swap events: some independent LEGO resale stores regularly host minifig swap days. Bring those LEGO pieces and trade with other people! 🤲

Be aware, though, that the rules (such as age limits for kids-only swaps) vary from store to store.

Don't panic: for AFOLs who'd like to trade their sets or minifigures, plenty of listings are posted online (on eBay, classifieds sites, ...) by people who also want to trade their sets or minifigures!

That way you can add new pieces to your collections for free!

Click here to find a store near you and check its calendar for upcoming events.

IV) LEGO Missing Pieces or Missing Instructions

Few things are more disappointing than buying a building set with missing or broken pieces, or even missing building instructions. 🧱

If you bought a set and that's the case, you can have the missing pieces or the instructions sent to you.

Click here for missing or broken bricks and here to find missing instructions. You do have to be an adult to submit a request to the Danish toy company, though.

V) LEGO at Yard Sales: Bricks at Low Prices!

Yard sales and flea markets are a great way to get LEGO building bricks, kits and sets at low prices. As long as you manage to get your hands on a good deal (or several).

Finding LEGO isn't very hard, but finding a complete set in excellent condition is another story.

But it's far from impossible: you just need to dig around a bit. After all, LEGO is above all a matter of patience and passion! ❤️

So if you're looking for LEGO Batman, LEGO Jurassic World, LEGO The Lord of the Rings or The Hobbit sets and many more, we strongly recommend browsing garage sales and yard sales! 📦

VI) LEGO on eBay and Classifieds Sites

You can find anything and everything on eBay, including LEGO sets. And they'll probably be much cheaper than the ones you'll find in stores or in other online shops (though it's worth a try). And it works both ways: eBay is also a good place to sell your old LEGO.

The same goes for the deals you can find on classifieds sites such as Leboncoin (a French classifieds site) or their local equivalents. Bargains abound and are just waiting to be found!

You just have to come across the right listings. Granted, it takes a bit of searching, but once you've found what you're looking for, you'll be more than happy!

And above all, eager to start building with your favorite bricks! 🧱

As you can see, there are many ways to get a LEGO set cheap, or even for free (at least by trading)!

Whether you're an AFOL passionate about LEGO or you have kids who love playing and building with these legendary bricks, you now know how to get sets or LEGO bricks at low prices.

Deals, promo codes and offers abound online: you just need to know where to look, and now you do!