The word “Lego” brings in an immediate rush of memories as well as the mental image of the iconic brick system. Only an incredibly popular brand is able to have such a major impact on people that an entire crowd will know exactly what the company is about. For many, Legos have been a toy from the past, something we used to make buildings and cars and anything else we wanted to. Something we let go, something we pushed away as we grew up as work became more important. In other words, what once could define our lives became a distant representation of our childhood.

The other day, I was sitting in my chair, my back arched as I peered into the screen of my Chromebook. There were papers from my classes sprawled all over the floor and stacks of books beside my chair. I groaned as I remembered I needed my calculator from my backpack, as I had brought it with me to my hybrid classroom the week before. I rolled out of my seat, got my device, and plopped back down with a sigh, staring back at the blue light scorching my irises. How I longed for the days where I could just sit back and play with my toys.

It wasn’t a big deal, in hindsight. I’m sure there are thousands upon thousands of students just like me, putting in the work. I knew then as I know now how important these classes are today, and that I cannot stay a child forever. That didn’t stop me from having the recurring thought, “Boy, I wish I was a kid right now, playing with my Legos.” But this time, I took a step back and thought, “Why?” What is so appealing of childhood that I desired to run back to so much? A multitude of reasons came to my mind, but I was able to discern which of those were most important in my personal opinion. I wanted to be back in a world where I could be carefree, where I could at least temporarily relieve all stress from my mind, to let the child of possibility that was currently caged in the confines of reality out, to have mindless play, to explore like I could back then.

Yikes. What I was looking for was a way to take me back, to let me have mindless fun, free of outside thoughts, a way to separate myself into my own world for a little while and just relax. With any luck, it would be great if it also was accessible and tailored to multiple people as well. But that seems impossible. Right? Then it clicked like two toy bricks connecting, what better way to feel like a kid than to return to one of the pillars of the past? What better toy to use than one that has aspects of nostalgia and is yet able to be something teenager me and others of all ages can enjoy?

As I said before, Lego is well known and still going strong years after the company was born. The hope is to remind you just how great Lego still is, and hopefully provide a method to bring the creativeness, enjoyment, and world building of the past into lives now, and ease the stress in the modern world. It is a simple and consistent system, gives the ability to build diverse sets, and most importantly construct your own world with whatever purpose you desire, whether that be relaxing, or creating, or just letting go for a moment.

The Lego system in of itself is quite a simple process to grasp, which is why it was so popularly used among children. All anyone really has to know is how the bricks connect. Obviously there is a little variation here and there among the pieces, but the action stays the same. A little bit of force and the satisfying click will connect them. The reverse applies to taking pieces apart, a little bit of pressure will easily separate them. Even a brick separator tool has been added into sets to make deconstruction an even more simple process. And that is basically it. Perhaps some bricks may cause a little more trouble to figure out than others, but regardless, the actions and functions stay consistent. Simplicity will bring in a laid back feel, while also bringing a greater focus in what Lego has to offer. Consistency keeps the same feel throughout the ages, bringing that 7 year old rush, but also making sure there isn’t anything unexpected, and the focus is on the toy.

Lego is not only easy, but consistently so. They are a renowned construction toy, and that simply does not happen with an inferior product. Whether or not the prices change, one thing that a customer can count on is that they are getting high quality bricks with every purchase that will be very user friendly. It boils down to their slogan, “Only the Best is Good Enough.” A little bold, perhaps, but a mindset that is carried into their work.

I wish I could say more about it, but that is really quite it. All a person needs to know before jumping into the fantastical world of these bricks is how they connect and that individual will be good to go. The best thing about that is they have improved their system over the years with different bricks and molds, but the general idea stayed the same. This means any age can start at any time, and no matter where you are in life, you will have that same feel of childhood simplicity.

Imagine sitting there, just putting two bricks together over and over. Sure, it may be calming, but in the end, the result is a nothing more than a stack. It would be kind of a boring result, and would be a shame if that was all Lego had to offer.

Luckily, Lego is not confined to simple stacking. Being the large toy property it is, the company has not only acquired many themes, but have multiple of their own original themes. Collectively, there is over 40 themes currently being updated, not even including some discontinued themes. Those that are still in commission are updated at least once a year, and sometimes every season. What does that mean? A theme groups sets into builds that display models or playsets from popular media. For instance, you could buy a spaceship from the galaxies of Star Wars, a miniature Quidditch field from Harry Potter, or a building for a personal Lego city, to name just a fraction of what Lego sets offer. This means anyone can immerse themselves in the set themes of their choice and have imaginative play, with as many swooshes, pew pews, and booms that their hearts desire. They can serve a more adult purpose by being quality models set up for display as well.

One of the coolest parts of Lego sets is that, when built, it is essentially a toy or model, but has a lot of pros that make it even better. . A $500 replica will be that, a near perfect replica that has to be protected, to keep it in mint condition as it was a large blow to the wallet. That means no play. A toy is widely produced, so it is less presentable, but it allows for rougher play. That being said, a destroyed toy will still become trash as well. Lego combines the best of both worlds, creating sturdy models that look amazing, but can be played with. If it ever falls, the joy is that it can be rebuilt with a little time, making it a nearly invincible model and toy to appeal to every age. Any weathering or destruction of piece doesn’t require an entire new purchase, but only of that piece, saving money. Even then, it takes years and years of use and repetitive intentional strikes to even potentially damage a brick.

But these models can be large and pretty specific, meaning it would be hard to build on your own. How do you even know how to build them correctly? Wouldn’t it be difficult to piece it together on your own and not be relaxing? What if I have to fix something and I don’t remember how to? These are all excellent questions, and all of them have been accounted for with their easy to use, image based instructions. Every set comes with a manual included, where it will take it step by step, showing you the pieces needed for page. The images on the instructions ensure people of all ages and anywhere in the world can follow them, and are large to make sure you are on the right track. This can provide for a period of time in which you can just happily build along. It is typical for people to throw away their instructions along with the box and bags the sets come with. In any case in which the manual is needed again, most sets will have the manual available online. All that is needed is typically the set number, a number that appears on the box itself and can easily be located through a simple Google Search.

Any person of any age can follow along and build many sets, widening the demographic, meaning there are so many people that can enjoy and relax with them. It has the aspect of toys that let anyone have imaginative play and engulf oneself into the world of their choosing with greater ease. Is it a little childish? Absolutely. And that feeling is what you seek with a toy, that laid back enjoyment. But the messing around has a limited lifespan for an adult, which is why they take such care to make all their models presentable as well. Either way, the person will have a wonderful experience building, followed by a set they can display or play with.

The most prominent excuse that I’ve heard that prevents people from exploring the world of Lego is that these bricks and sets don’t provide enough to differentiate from other toys. So why is Lego a better toy to experience the simple rush of play and relax in comparison? To that I say that it is an excellent point. A set is basically a cool toy, but the best part of Lego to me is that it isn’t stuck as that single toy. It has all of those aspects to simply be an adequate model, but it is the possibility for creation and imagination that brings it up to a level higher than any other toy has the capacity to go. So what kind of imaginative play can you perform with Legos?

In a comparison of two toys, both are usually accurate depictions of what they are trying to replicate, but Lego has available studs on the top of their model. Not only does it give the model a different feel that makes it stand out, but it serves a purpose as the ability to add upon it. If you ever saw something on screen and thought, “I wish it had this on it” or “I wish I could swap ___ with a ___,” it is entirely possible to do with Lego. Not only can you imagine being in the universe of your choice, but you can do so and add your own twist to it, and really feel that you are a part of the fantastic world your mind has created.

Most bricks can connect with each other, meaning that combinations vary at a greater scale. That separates it from many other building models, like Gunpla or wood construction sets. In those, each piece has a specific purpose, and any deviance from the instructions will result in something that simply doesn’t work. With any given Lego set, you are given the option to either follow the instructions or build something completely different out of the pieces you have. You don’t have to add to other structures, you can invent, create, and build anything that comes to mind with the versatility of the bricks. In Lego, the simple system and minimum set of rules lets you determine how you want to proceed, and opens an entire new realm of capabilities.

However, there are definitely some rules and requirements when making your own work. If you are building something unique from a set, you are constricted to the available pieces. If you are using exterior Legos, you will have to see if the colors match, and at times will also be restricted by not having the exact brick or plate needed. Not only that, but there are a few rules to maintain the quality and strength of the pieces, and incorrect tension could cause cracks. Finally, a model may be complete but have flaws in stability, shape, weight distribution, or accuracy. Some may believe this holds Lego back, but I think it elevates it, stimulating the problem solving aspects of the brain to get through this hurdle. It is a fun, risk free learning experience as one weaves through some restraints and ends up with a successful and personal creation they are proud of. In a sense, it combines the best parts of things like puzzles into the aspect of play as well.

As kids, we would look at the world and improve it, or at least see it as we wanted to. If we had superpowers and rode a dragon, we could. If we wanted a super fancy car, we would have it in an instant. That wild, unrestrained, inconsequential world defined a huge part of everyone’s childhood, and too often now we are met with reality. Legos options allow for people to hang onto that part of life with the wild creations that anybody can do, something that is not as prevalent in many other sources of enjoyment.

Overall, Lego is such a fantastic toy because of all it offers. The various themes and possibilities to create anything the mind wishes is something that can be universally enjoyed across all ages. Everyone can feel like a kid with how simple it operates and how they can be in their own separate world that genuinely can trap out any stressful thoughts, even if it is only for a small while. Not only that, but it can prove to be relaxing to everyone, regardless of what they prefer. Whether you want an hour to follow along with the instructions, or you want a little bit of refreshing mind work and want to try and make something on your own, the consistency of the popular brand’s quality will ensure you will have a wonderful time either way.

Lego is incredibly exciting, inventive, and ensures that each time you sit down the experience will be a unique one, and one that lasts with the build as a result. It offers so many aspects from various toys, making it rise among the rest, and is a fantastic, invigorating break from the screen once in a while. It makes you feel like a child, yet being a fantastic activity for whatever age or stage in life you are in. With it being tailored to so many people, and being beneficial in a multitude of situations, I don’t see a reason why someone wouldn’t engage in this world. After all, Legos are still pretty cool.