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Where to buy cheaper alternatives to LEGO in Australia

If you love to play with LEGO, but you don’t love the price tag, you need to check out these cheaper alternatives.

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Marina Tatas
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LEGO is a household name. This Danish company was founded in 1932 and has prided itself on quality and creativity ever since.

While a good majority of LEGO is priced at under $150 (with some single pieces going for as little as $5), some LEGO sets clock in at over $300.

These sets are usually limited edition or part of a larger collection and are often single-use as they are designed to be assembled a certain way.

We’ve compiled a list of similar building and construction toy brands to LEGO. Not only are they a little cheaper in price, they each have a unique element to them and work just as well!

If you like high-quality licensed sets, try Kre-O

Kre-O Transformer

Kre-O is one of the most comparable brands to LEGO, thanks to its use of licensed builds. Just like LEGO has the Harry Potter franchise, you can expect to find sets inspired by Star Trek and Transformers.

These are generally more expensive, but Kre-O still carries a variety of original building sets, with options for big and little kids. If you’re looking for something with the same quality as LEGO, then this is your best bet.

Price range: There are currently no official Aussie stockists, but you can purchase from the online marketplaces listed below. Depending on the seller, the sets can vary in price.

Where to buy:

If you want bricks that are compatible to LEGO, try Mega Construx

Mega Konstrux toy

Mega Construx is another building block brand that utilises licensed sets. In the past, we’ve seen featured franchises like Pokémon, Halo and Call Of Duty.

While Mega Construx bricks are compatible with LEGO, they aren’t the exact same quality. However, there’s a large variety of options available and this brand is a great pick if you’re keen to just collect more bricks. Mega Construx sells bulk boxes of bricks for as low as $49.

Price range: $18–$300

Where to buy:

If you like bigger blocks, try Mega Bloks

Megablok toy

Mega Bloks allows you to construct towns, cities, figures and more in an array of different designs and styles.

The brand started with the development of big, stackable building toys that are super easy to grip. While that still remains at the core of Mega Bloks, there have been extensions to the line of toys.

Now bigger kids can join in on the fun, no matter how old they are. You can shop tons of varieties with smaller bricks. They work great for precise building and allow you to create a story with your work.

This wide variety directly reflects what’s available at LEGO and you can shop it for half the price.

Price range: Approximately $5–$80

Where to buy:

If you love construction, try Meccano

Meccano Toy

Sense a future engineer or mechanic in the family? Meccano is perfect for those who love to build working models of real mechanical devices.

This toy brand has been around for a long time (since 1898) and it shows no signs of slowing down. Just some of the various models include excavators, slot cars and Formula 1 vehicles.

Meccano is comparable to LEGO, but it takes the construction element one step further. The models come with things like wheels and gears, so whatever you choose to create, you can play with it like any other toy.

Price range: Approximately $20–$150

Where to buy:

If you love to get creative, try K'NEX Toys

Knex toy blocks

When it comes to building toys, K’NEX takes the cake for creativity. Why? Because the sets include a variety of bricks, rods and connectors that you simply click together to create just about anything you can think of.

Similar to LEGO, K’NEX builds its range around themes, so you can shop the Mario Kart series, architecture, safari, vehicles and more. But you’re not limited to what you get in a single play-set. Feel free to mix-and-match them as they are compatible with each other. The options are truly endless.

Price range: Approximately $10–$180

Where to buy:

If you want something more attention-grabbing, try Laser Pegs

Laser Pegs blocks

Laser Pegs is a great pick for young children, especially if they find it hard to concentrate.

The unique patented light bricks and vibrant colour combinations work together to illuminate your surroundings. Not only are the pieces easier to see, but they could also hold your child’s attention for longer.

It’s a fun (and cheaper) alternative that encourages your child’s creativity and builds on hand-eye coordination.

Price range: Approximately $20–$150

Where to buy:

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