Why is Lego so expensive? And why is it so popular? A Lego master answers your questions

Sales of Lego have increased dramatically over the past few years, with more adults than ever before getting into building with blocks. Recommended’s own tech editor, Nathan Spendelow, spent a gruelling 18 hours putting together Lego’s Star Wars Death Star, callusing his hands and getting a sore back in the process.

One longtime fan who has made Lego his full-time career is Graham E. Hancock. The editor of monthly Lego magazine Blocks, he’s also the author of several books about Lego, including LEGO Heroes: LEGO Builders Changing Our World – One Brick at a Time, Lego Fun Family Challenges and LEGO Star Wars: The Force of Creativity.

As a lifelong Lego fan, there’s nobody better to answer your questions about bricks, including why they’re so expensive, exciting new launches and which sets he would recommend for children and those with dexterity issues.

We caught up with Hancock for our Readers Ask series, where industry specialists answer queries from our Telegraph Recommended Reader Panel. Read his answers below.

How can I determine whether the difficulty level of a Lego set is suitable for my child?

George, London

If you’re thinking of getting a Lego set for your child, go with the age marking on the box that matches their age.

Start with something small and approachable to see how they get on with it. Once you’ve seen them build that first set and get a sense of how natural they find it, you can determine whether you want to get them another set of the same age marking, something simpler or something more complicated.

Why do you think there has been a resurgence in Lego over the last five years?

David, London

It’s been happening over the last 20 years. Sales of Lego sets keep growing and growing. But five years ago, everyone was stuck at home as a result of the pandemic, so people were looking for things to do within the house.

By coincidence, the Lego Group had just introduced a whole new range focusing on adults. These two things coincided and, all of a sudden, people felt comfortable telling others that, as grown-ups, they were sitting at home and building Lego.

I want to encourage my grandson’s creativity rather than the ability to follow instructions – what do you recommend?

Siri, London

You might be surprised to know that there have been instructions in Lego boxes for 70 years. It’s something lots of generations have grown up with. There’s something satisfying about following the steps to build a set and getting a complete model at the end of it.

There’s also something fun about dumping that box of bricks onto the dining room table and getting creative. It doesn’t have to be an either/or thing. You might think that children aren’t being creative when following instructions, but they’re learning how the different pieces and elements interact with one another and different ways they can use them. When they do build things creatively themselves, they’ll use some of these tips and tricks in their own models.

If your child loves building Lego sets, it’s worth getting them a big box of loose bricks, with doors, windows and wheels. Maybe it can be a family activity, to dump them out and build imaginatively around a table. This can be fun, inspiring and joyful.