Avatar Skimwing Adventure LEGO

The Avatar movies are incredible. They are amazing stories about the Sully family and their trials and tribulations as they simply try to live on Pandora. LEGO made quite a few sets featuring the Sullys when Avatar: The Way Of Water was released. This set shows Jake Sully learning to ride a skimwing as Tonowari, the leader of the Metkayina Clan, looks on. All three Avatar movies, including the recently released Avatar: Fire and Ash, are available now on DisneyPlus. 

You Shall Not Pass!

LEGO book nooks are so cool. This one features the Balrog from the Mines of Moria facing off against Gandalf. Open, the Balrog can spread his wings. Closed, it fits onto a bookshelf. I'll be putting it between the books and movies of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. I may have to add a light kit for an even more dramatic effect.

The Mandalorian's N-1 Starfighter LEGO

The LEGO sets from The Mandalorian are so fun. I recently acquired the N-1 Starfighter set from a few years ago. It has four minifigs: Din Djarin, Grogu, Peli Motto, and a tiny BD Droid. It's a great addition to my ever-growing Star Wars LEGO collection.

LEGO Main Street USA

My latest Disney LEGO set just arrived and I can't wait to put it together. The Main Street USA set has 16 minifigures and 3899 pieces. There's so much to look at!

Samwise Gamgee Returns To The Shire

LEGO

A new Lord of the Rings LEGO set is making it's debut next week. To celebrate, Sean Astin returned to Middle-earth to tell us all about this new set: The Shire.

Like all the Lord of the Rings set,  The Shire is incredibly detailed (and incredibly expensive at $269.99), and includes 9 minifigures.

Here's the official description from LEGO: 

Journey to Middle-earth with the LEGO Icons The Lord of the Rings: The Shire (10354) movie memorabilia set. Bursting with features that fans will adore, this intricate diorama captures the magic of Bilbo Baggins’ eleventy-first birthday party and includes 9 movie characters: Bilbo Baggins, Frodo, Mrs. Proudfoot, Farmer Proudfoot, Merry, Pippin, Rosie, Samwise, and Gandalf the Grey.

Recreate Bilbo’s hillside hobbit hole, complete with a round door and a richly furnished interior, including an entrance hall, study and parlor. Bring scenes to life with interactive functions. Transform a burning letter into The One Ring or make Bilbo vanish at the turn of a dial. Packed with movie details, from Gandalf’s horse and cart to the firework dragon and Party Tree, this set makes an enchanting display for the home or office.

The Shire will be released on April 5th, with early access for LEGO Insiders beginning on April 2nd.

Lord Of The Rings Little People

Mattel

Have you seen these adorable Fisher Price Little People figures from Mattel? I love their collector sets, especially the first Lord of the Rings sets. The first set included Legolas, Aragorn, Arwen, Gimli, Gandalf, and Frodo from the Council of Elrond. This new set features the Hobbits at Weathertop, including Merry, Pippin, Sam, and a translucent Frodo who is wearing the Ring. The box even has a special light up feature under Frodo. This set is a bit pricey at $30.00, but so cute! The Weathertop set is available directly from Mattel.

Photo of the Week

I love LEGO vignettes. There's so much to see in such a tiny space. This Guardians of the Galaxy Headquarters set is my newest scene. So cool!

Photo of the Week

Welcome, foolish mortals, to the LEGO Haunted Mansion...

Disney 100 LEGO

All images: LEGO

LEGO has made some truly incredible Disney sets over the years. From princesses and castles to spaceships and pirates, there are Disney LEGO sets for everyone. This year, as part of the Disney 100 celebration, there will be even more LEGO to enjoy.

Here are a few of the sets you can find this spring at both LEGO and shopDisney. 

The Disney Celebration Train is an adorable, and affordable at $39.99, 200 piece set for kids age 4 and up. It features six minifigures: Mickey, Minnie, Peter Pan, Tinker Bell, Woody, and Moana, with train cars that look like parade floats. Mickey is the driving the train in the engine. Moana's island car has a hidden cave and slide. Peter Pan and Tink are riding along on a pirate ship. Woody has a turning stage on his "Woody's Roundup" float. Minnie is waiting at the station for the train to arrive. Instructions for this set are also available in the LEGO Builder app, with zoom and rotate tools to help kids visualize the model as they build. This set will be released on April 1.

The Disney 100th Celebration BrickHeadz feature four Disney firsts. Oswald the Lucky Rabbit was Disney's first character, Mickey Mouse as the first ever animated character, Snow White from the first Disney feature film, and Tinker Bell,  the first Disneyland mascot. This 501 piece set is for kids age 10 and up and sells for $39.99.

For Pixar fans, how about building Mr. Fredricksen's 'Up' House. This 598 piece set is perfect for kids age 9 and up. The set includes three minifigures: Carl Fredricksen, Russell, and Dug and a... SQUIRREL! From the balloons floating out the chimney, to the bright colors and furnished rooms, this is an adorable recreation of the iconic house. And don't forget Ellie's adventure book, because it's included, too. This set will be released on April 1.

And finally, if minifigures are more your speed, there's a new collection of Disney characters just for you. There are 18 figures in this collection and each comes packaged in its own blind bag, so it's a surprise which figure you receive.  The Disney 100 minifigures include:

• Sorcerer’s Apprentice Mickey
• Pinocchio
• Jiminy Cricket
• The Queen
• Stitch 626
• Pocahontas
• Cruella de Vil & Dalmatian puppy
• Miguel & Dante
• Ernesto de la Cruz
• Oswald the Lucky Rabbit
• Robin Hood
• Prince John
• Tiana
• Dr. Facilier
• Queen of Hearts
• Mulan
• Aurora
• Baymax

Each figure comes with a brickplate base and an accessory and sells for $4.99. These minifigures won't be available until May 1, but they're so cute they're worth the wait.

These Indiana Jones LEGO Are Awesome!

All images: LEGO

If LEGO keeps coming out with more and more amazing sets, my house will be filled to the top with LEGO. (And I'll love every bit of it!) The latest sets feature three classic scenes from the Indiana Jones movies. First up is the Temple of the Golden Idol. This 1545 piece set from Raiders of the Lost Ark includes 4 minifigures: Indiana Jones, Satipo, René Belloq, and a Hovitos warrior, and is packed with interactive features. You can lower and light up the idol, collapse a wall, swing Indy across a cavern, lower a trap door, and, of course, chase Indy with the iconic boulder. There's also a skeleton of Dr Forrestal, a poor missing archeologist, and lots of spiders. The set is intended for adult collectors and comes with an adult price tag of $149.99.

If something a little smaller (and cheaper) is more your speed, how about the Escape from the Lost Tomb. This 600 piece set is also from Raiders of the Lost Ark and also features 4 minifigures: Indy, Sallah, Marion Ravenwood, and a mummy. The interactive features in this scene include an Anubis statue that can fall and break through a wall into a hidden passage where the mummy lies, an ark for Sallah and Indy to carry, and lots of snakes. ("Why did it have to be snakes?!") The set is intended for kids 8 and up and sells for $39.99.

And finally, a set from my favorite Indiana Jones movie: The Last Crusade. The Fighter Plane Chase is a 387 piece set that includes 3 minifigures: Indy, Henry Jones, Sr., and a fighter pilot. Interactive features for this scene include removable wings on the fighter plane (for crashing through tunnels), a movable propeller, and two stud shooters. Other fun touches include the Grail diary and an umbrella in the back of the car (remember your Charlemagne.) This set is the least expensive at $34.99 and is also for kids 8 and up.

All three sets will be available from the LEGO website on April 1. I think I may have to have them all!

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You shall not pass!

The New Lord Of The Rings LEGO Are Incredible!

All images: LEGO

LEGO makes some of the most incredibly intricate building sets for adult collectors. This new set is a recreation of "the Last Homely House" from the Lord of the Rings. Rivendell is made up of 6167 pieces and features an astounding 15 minifigures: Bilbo, Frodo, Samwise, Merry, Pippin, Gandalf, Legolas, Gimli, Aragorn, Boromir, Elrond, Arwen, two Elves, and a Dwarf.

Here's the official description from LEGO:

Journey into Rivendell with this LEGO The Lord of the Rings collectible. Based on the Middle-earth valley where the famous quest began, this impressive 6,167-piece project for adults is bursting with details that movie fans will adore.

The building set is decorated with foliage that creates the feeling of being deep inside the Rivendell forest and includes magical details including an elven forge, Elrond's cluttered study, the Shards of Narsil, plus paintings and statues from the history of Middle-earth. It also comes with 15 minifigures to bring favorite scenes to life. The minifigures have detachable legs, so you can seat them around the table to recreate the iconic Council of Elrond scene.

This highly requested building set has been designed for The Lord of the Rings fans and film-lovers who appreciate stunning design.

The set measures over 15 inches high, 29.5 inches wide and 19.5 inches deep and splits into 3 sections: the tower, the council ring and the gazebo with river and bridge.

The Rivendell set costs a whopping $499.99 and will be released on the LEGO website on March 8.

You shall not pass!

If that's a bit out of your budget, there are more affordable options in the form of three new BrickHeadz sets that are available now. The first features Gandalf the Grey and the Balrog in the Mines of Moria from The Fellowship of the Ring. This set sells for $19.99.

Our only wish, to catch a fish, so juicy sweet!

Next up is Gollum, holding a fish, and Frodo, holding Sting and the One Ring, from The Two Towers. This set sells for $14.99.

I would rather share one lifetime with you than face all the ages of this world alone.

And finally, Arwen and Aragorn as they appeared at Aragorn's coronation in Return of the King. This set sells for $19.99.

It's International LEGO Day!

LEGO Star Wars Trash Compactor

Today is International LEGO Day. It marks the day in 1958 when the son of the inventor of LEGO, Ole Kirk Christiansen, submitted the patent for the original bricks. Can you believe it's been 65 years? Even more amazing is that they have been making the colorful plastic bricks since 1949.

One thing's for sure. We're all gonna be a lot thinner!

So, now that you know a little bit more about one of the world's favorite toys, how will you celebrate? Maybe you'll watch one of the many LEGO movies or shorts. (There are several Star Wars LEGO shows on DisneyPlus.) Or maybe you'll start working on that new set you received for Christmas and just haven't gotten around to playing with yet.

These aren't the droids you're looking for...

I plan to build one of my new Marvel sets. Maybe the Captain Carter What If set or the adorable life-sized Baby Groot. No matter what you decide to do, have fun with your LEGO today!

It"s LEGO Build Day!

LEGO

For the past two years, LEGO fans around the world have celebrated LEGO Build Day on the 27th of December. It's the perfect day to build that new set you received for Christmas. Or maybe you'd like to play a few of the crazy games and competitions from the LEGO website. They even have printable scorecards and certificates for the winners. This year, I'll be building my newest set: the Death Star Trash Compactor from Star Wars. I can't wait to see it finished!

Hocus Pocus Fun From ShopDisney

All images: Disney

A few bewitching Hocus Pocus collectibles have magically appeared at shopDisney. They are delightfully adorable and are sure to please Hocus Pocus fans.

First up is a charming ornament featuring Mary, Winifred, and Sarah Sanderson, and a tiny Binx the cat. When you press a button on the base, the green flames in the cauldron light up and spooky sounds can be heard. The 4-inch ornament is $26.99.

These mystery pins are fabulously spooky and feature ten different designs including the Sanderson sisters and Billy Butcherson, as well as the transformation spell the witches used on young Thackery Binx. The pins are $17.99 a box, but, as these are a blind box, you won't know which two you get until you open the box.

This spinning pin features Sarah, Winifred, and Mary Sanderson in front of a background that spins and says Amuck, Amuck, Amuck. The pin is $17.99 and is a limited release.

The Sanderson sisters are unexpectedly adorable as plush dolls. The trio of 7-inch dolls come complete with their own cauldron, and they look ready to cast a spell or perhaps brew up a bit of Life Potion. The dolls are available as a set for $39.99.

It looks like this plush Binx has borrowed Dani's hat for Halloween. The 15-inch toy also has a collar with his name emblazoned on a coffin shaped tag. This enchanting feline is $22.99.

And finally, this color-changing ceramic cauldron mug and spoon are perfect for a witches brew. The 18-oz mug changes from solid black on the outside to green drips running down the sides when hot liquid is added. The cup has the Hocus Pocus logo on one side and says "Trouble is brewing" on the other. The mug and spoon are $24.99.

Mickey And Friends LEGO Are Adorable

All images: LEGO

Have you seen the new LEGO sets featuring Mickey Mouse and friends? They are so adorable! The "Mickey and Friends Castle Defenders" set has 215 pieces and is suited to little ones age 4 and up. It has four minifigures, all in medieval fantasy dress: Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Daisy. There's also a horse, a castle scene to build, and a hilarious little dragon. The set is currently available from LEGO and shopDisney for $54.99.

There's also the cutest camping set featuring Mickey and Minnie. "Mickey and Minnie's Camping Trip" has 103 pieces and is also for kids age 4 and up. It has three minifigures dressed for the outdoors: Mickey, Minnie, and Pluto. There's also a car and trailer to build along with sleeping bags and a fire for roasting marshmallows. This set is available for $24.99 from LEGO and shopDisney.

LEGO + Avatar = Awesome

All images: LEGO

Have you seen the new Avatar LEGO sets coming this October? They are absolutely incredible. The first set is called "Toruk Makto and the Tree of Souls". This 1212 piece set features four minifigures: Jake Sully, Neytiri, Mo'at, and Tsu'Tey, a posable Toruk with foil wings, a Direhorse, and a buildable Tree of Souls. And some of the parts even glow in the dark. This amazing set is currently available for pre-order for $149.99.

The second set is called "Jake and Neytiri's First Banshee Flight". This set has 572 pieces including 2 minifigures, Jake Sully and Neytiri, two posable Banshees or Ikran with foil wings, and a buildable section of the Hallelujah Mountains with glow in the dark pieces. This set is also currently available for pre-order for $59.99.

A LEGO Haunted Mansion?!

All images: LEGO

I adore LEGO sets. They are so much fun to build and display. And the micro sets are so tiny and cool. LEGO worked with Disney on their latest micro set: the Haunted Mansion. The 680 piece set includes a Butler mini figure and a tiny Haunted Mansion complete with a gallery, including miniature paintings, and a dining room that can be viewed from the back of the model.

The set is due to be released on August 1 on LEGO.com.

Lightyear Blasts Into Happy Meals

McDonald's

Lightyear toys have arrived in McDonald's Happy Meals. There are 8 adorable ships to collect, each with stickers to decorate them and a character inside. The toys include: 

• Buzz Lightyear in XL-01
• Sox
• Izzy Hawthorne
• Alisha Hawthorne
• Zurg
• Mo Morrison
• Darby Steel
• Buzz Lightyear in XL-15

These toys are available while supplies last, so don't wait if you want to collect them all. Lightyear is in theaters now.

Muppet LEGO Minifigures Are Coming!

All images: LEGO

"It's time to play the music! It's time to light the lights! It's time to meet the Muppets on The Muppet Show tonight!"

LEGO has released photos of their coolest minifigure collection to date: The Muppets! There are twelve fantastically detailed minifigures to collect in the usual blind packs. 

Kermit the Frog

Miss Piggy

Fozzie Bear

Gonzo the Great

Swedish Chef

Janice

Animal and Rowlf

Doctor Bunsen Honeydew and Beaker

Statler and Waldorf

The LEGO Muppet minifigures will be released on May 1. Which ones are you planning to collect?