Our writers test and research products independently. When you buy through a link on our site we may earn a commission but this never affects our product choices.
10 of the best LEGO DUPLO sets, according to Mumsnetters
LEGO DUPLO has been a firm favourite with families for years, keeping preschoolers entertained and learning new skills as they play. Here’s our selection of the best LEGO DUPLO sets to keep kids captivated.
By Madeline Littlejohns | Last updated Jul 16, 2024
In a time when the mind-blowing choice of toddler toys continues to expand and technology is ever-present, there’s one old favourite that little ones still repeatedly reach for: LEGO DUPLO. Delighting young children for more than 50 years, these simple, safe and vibrant bricks let kids’ imaginations run wild with endless possibilities.
One of the best toddler toys ever invented, there are a huge number of DUPLO sets, from one of the best train sets for toddlers to brick boxes with endless possibilities, we're here to help you pick the best DUPLO set for your child.
With no right or wrong way to play, they’re quite literally the building blocks of learning, being both fun and educational. Playing with DUPLO develops fine motor skills and can even help your child get to grips with alphabet and numbers. Exactly twice the size of conventional LEGO pieces, chunkier DUPLO bricks pose no swallow risk for teething toddlers plus they’re less fiddly for little hands to hold, with another bonus being that they fit perfectly with their smaller LEGO counterparts once your child is old enough to play with both block types.
While DUPLO themes, characters and colours have evolved over its five-decade lifetime, the basic concept remains the same – to encourage creativity and excite young minds. So we’ve scoured the Mumsnet forums and countless consumer reviews to discover which DUPLO sets children are playing with and parents recommend.
Here are the best LEGO DUPLO sets for 2023.
1. Best overall LEGO DUPLO set: LEGO DUPLO Deluxe Brick Box
Price on writing: £37.99 | Buy now from Amazon
Key specs
Age suitability: 18 months + | Number of pieces: 85 | Set number: 10914
What we love
Great mix of pieces
Comes with storage tub
Comes with simple guide for ideas and inspiration
What to know
Would be better with a few more blocks
What Mumsnet users say
“We have about six sets of DUPLO. The items my four- and two-year-olds play with the most are the cars, windows and doors, animal figures and people.” (Recommended by Mumsnet user PerditaNitt)
Our verdict
This deluxe brick box is a brilliant introduction to LEGO DUPLO and would also make a perfect addition to an existing collection. With 85 bricks in a rainbow of vibrant and pastel shades the set offers loads of scope for creativity and because it has no set theme your child is free to build almost anything they can think of. The blocks can be combined with other DUPLO sets as well for endless play possibilities.
With accessories including a car, window, slide, swing, and flowers, and even a pair of people and an adorable dog, your little one can enjoy creative, role playing games once they’ve finished building. And best of all, when they’ve finished playing with their colourful creations the bricks can be easily tidied away into the sturdy storage box.
2. Best budget DUPLO set: LEGO DUPLO Town Family House on Wheels
Price on writing: £16.99 | Buy now from John Lewis
Key specs
Age suitability: 2 years + | Number of pieces: 31 | Set number: 10986
What we love
Great for creative, open-ended play
Easy instructions to follow
Colourful, fun pieces
What to know
Limited build options
What Mumsnet users say
“Duplo is pretty much the only thing I can think of that they’ll both play together (they’re twins)” (Loved by Mumsnet user MuchTooTired)
Our verdict
This sweet little Family House on Wheels playset lets toddlers escape on amazing adventures as they set up the little family house on wheels and then hook it up to the cute green car. With easy instructions to follow your child will be up and running in no time and having endless fun taking the two included people figures on make-believe camping trips.
We love how this simple set offers so much play potential, with little extras like the bonfire and cup pieces for creative, social play. Created for two year olds, the town family house on wheels is perfect for developing self-expression and social skills. The playset also works perfectly with other DUPLO bricks for extended play possibilities.
3. Best first DUPLO Set: LEGO DUPLO My First Number Train
Price on writing: £18 | Buy now from Argos
Key specs
Age suitability: 18 months + | Number of pieces: 23 | Set number: 10954
What we love
Helps with learning numbers
Great value set
Bright and colourful
What to know
No number 10 block
What Mumsnet users say
“[Get] the DUPLO train with numbers on.” (Recommended by Mumsnet user BadgertheBodger)
Our verdict
All aboard! Parents of tiny train enthusiasts will be on the right track with this rail-inspired toy. Introducing toddlers to counting and the basics of how to click DUPLO pieces together, it’s the perfect set for newcomers to the world of DUPLO and comes recommended by parents in the Mumsnet forums.
There are moving wheels on the carriages and on the engine itself, which has a removable roof so that one of the three friendly figures included can drive the train. We particularly love the rainbow colour sequence that will help kids put the numbers in the correct order. The only concern is that there’s no number 10 in the set, just a one and a zero, which might be confusing for little learners. Nevertheless, next stop: quiet contentment.
Read next: Best collapsible folding wagons for the beach, festivals and family adventures
4. Best DUPLO set for a 1 year old: LEGO DUPLO My First Animal Train
Price on writing: £18 | Buy now from Argos
Key specs
Age suitability: 18 months + | Number of pieces: 15 | Set number: 10955
What we love
Fun animal pieces
Chucky for little hands
Different ways to play
What to know
Babies might need help linking the train pieces together
Our verdict
Little animal lovers will adore this DUPLO set with an elephant, tiger, giraffe, and panda to build and play with. The tiger and panda come in two pieces, while the giraffe has three pieces and the elephant has four, and these different levels of complexity will help one year olds develop their building skills.
This set is perfect for younger toddlers as it helps them explore creative and imaginative play as they build and rebuild the animals, stack them on top of each other, and line them up on the push-along carriages to make a train. We love the building cards that come with the set and have life-sized images of the animal models to help little ones learn how to put them together and toddlers will love the colourful figures, especially the giraffe with its fun, wobbly neck.
5. Best DUPLO Set for a 3 year old: LEGO DUPLO Town Modular Townhouse
Price on writing: £89.99 | Buy now from Amazon
Key specs
Age suitability: 2 years + | Number of pieces: 129 | Set number: 10929
What we love
3 in 1 dollhouse for different ways to play
Teaches about home life
Lots of fun accessories
What to know
Quite pricey
What Mumsnet users say
“My daughter is about 22 months but she loves DUPLO and has done for a few months. I have older children, so we already had lots of it in the house!” (Loved by Mumsnet user mistermagpie)
Our verdict
The impressive DUPLO Town Modular Playhouse Set offers triple the fun of a regular dollhouse as it can be rebuilt into three different dwellings: a large family home, single-level house or multi-storey tower block. Budding builders or architects will enjoy building something different every time.
While this toddler-friendly toy may be the priciest in our roundup, it’s also one of the most versatile. It’ll delight both boys and girls with its big neutral-coloured blocks and small but realistic details – such as opening drawers, a well-equipped kitchen and diminutive rocking horse – and teaches little ones about everyday life at home. Easily accessible and provided with Mum, Dad and child figures, there’s also a pet dog and sweet teddy bear to play with. The only real drawback is the lack of a storage container.
6. Best Disney Princess DUPLO set: LEGO DUPLO Frozen Ice Castle
Price on writing: £35.99 | Buy now from Amazon
Key specs
Age suitability: 2 years + | Number of pieces: 59 | Set number: 10899
What we love
Includes Elsa, Anna, and Olaf figures
Offers different ways to play
Light up brick adds to the magic
What to know
Other characters not available
Our verdict
Frozen fans will fall head over heels in love with this gorgeous DUPLO playset with an icy castle to build and Elsa, Anna, and Olaf characters to play with. The blocks can be used in different ways to create endless imaginative play opportunities and there are fun extras like a slide to push the characters down and a button-operated light brick to add to the magic.
Young children will develop their building and fine motor skills as they put the blocks together and also enjoy imaginative role-playing as they act out their favourite parts of the Frozen films with the character figures.
7. Best educational DUPLO Set: LEGO DUPLO Alphabet Town
Price on writing: £44.99 | Buy now from Argos
Key specs
Age suitability: 18 months + | Number of pieces: 87 | Set number: 10935
What we love
Teaches letters and colours
Promotes fine motor skills and creative play
Lots of play potential
What to know
Quite pricey
What Mumsnet users say
“My son makes fabulous DUPLO creations that he likes to show off and say: ‘I made it by myself!’” (Tried and tested by Mumsnet user FartnissEverbeans)
Our verdict
Make learning ABCs engaging and fun with the alphabet town playset. With 87 bright and colourful blocks including all the letters of the alphabet and fun, interesting shapes, toddlers can build the town in a whole host of ways and learn as they go. While the car base and the boy, girl, and dog figures let them enjoy open-ended, creative play.
We love how many opportunities there are to learn with this playset, as you discuss letters, colours, and shapes with your child as you build together. The best way for toddlers to learn is through play and the fun just goes on and on with this DUPLO set with endless potential for play and for learning.
8. Best DUPLO train set: LEGO DUPLO Town Steam Train Set
Price on writing: £56 | Buy now from Amazon
Key specs
Age suitability: 2 - 5 years | Number of pieces: 59 | Set number: 10874
What we love
Fun sound and light effects
Simple push and go motor
Free linked app
What to know
Small amount of track for the price
What Mumsnet users say
“At five, DD’s DUPLO still gets played with most days, even though she plays with LEGO too now.” (Recommended by Mumsnet user BritInAus)
Our verdict
With its colourful steam train, fun accessories, and engaging lights and sounds, this LEGO DUPLO train set takes the humble train set and adds in so many extra layers of fun. The track is easy for toddlers to put together and the locomotive is simple to build too, then you just press the push and go motor and off it goes.
There are five fun action blocks in the set that can be placed down on the tracks to instruct the train to stop, reverse, and refuel, as well as set off sounds and lights. We love this fun early introduction to coding as well as cause and effect! You can also download an app that lets you control the train remotely and offers extra play opportunities.
9. Best DUPLO set for animal lovers: LEGO DUPLO Family Pets Set
Price on writing: £30.98 | Buy now from Amazon
Key specs
Age suitability: 18 months+ | Number of pieces: 22 | Set number: 10977
What we love
Encourages social and caring skills
Great addition to other DUPLO sets
What to know
Pricey
What Mumsnet users say
“Duplo. Played with it every day for 2 years (age 2-4) and still going!” (Loved by Mumsnet user MsChatterbox)
Our verdict
The perfect addition to the townhouse or alphabet town playsets, this set will be a real hit with animal-loving little ones. It comes with a puppy and kitten that make realistic (ish) sounds, as well as some fun accessories like a pet food, toys and a birthday cake.
There’s not a huge amount to build with this set but it does offer lots of play value and opportunities for creative role-playing games and is amazing for promoting caring, nurturing skills in toddlers.
10. Best DUPLO bath toy: LEGO DUPLO Bath Time Fun Set
Price on writing: £17.99 | Buy now from Amazon
Key specs
Age suitability: 18 months + | Number of pieces: 14 | Set number: 10965
What we love
Easy to rinse and clean
Simple to build
Fun animal designs
What to know
Can be tricky to get the toys to float
Our verdict
Why should the fun stop at bathtime? With this DUPLO bath time fun set you can keep the fun going and keep your toddler engaged as they bathe. The set includes hippo, duck, and polar bear figures which are super easy to build, and colourful floating rings for them to sit in. There’s also a little bucket and raincloud for pouring and sprinkling water on the animals.
The floating rings open up for easy cleaning and they can be connected together to make a fun, floating train for the animal figures. A perfect introduction to building with DUPLO, the animals are a great size for small hands and connect together really easily as toddlers develop their fine motor skills.
What age is LEGO DUPLO best for?
All preschoolers can enjoy playing with LEGO DUPLO from the time they’re around 18 months old right up until they’re aged four or five, by which time they’re likely to be ready to move on to regular-sized LEGO bricks. Many children take pleasure in playing with their DUPLO sets well after this, however.
Most of your child’s brain development happens by the time they go to school and DUPLO toys help to improve cognitive thinking, spatial reasoning and fine motor skills – with some sets even getting tots acquainted with the alphabet and counting to 10. The bricks also offer peace of mind for parents, being safe for younger children due to their chunky size.
Which LEGO DUPLO set is best?
The best DUPLO set is the LEGO DUPLO Classic Deluxe Brick Box. Boasting thousands of five-star reviews from satisfied parents across the globe, this colourful collection of bricks offers limitless creative possibilities and cannot fail to occupy your toddler as a great alternative to electronic toys.
With a decent number of blocks and an array of fun accessories, this durable set is easy for little hands to click together and can be mixed and matched with all other DUPLO sets (and regular LEGO sets when they’re old enough). We love the handy storage box and its unisex appeal and, while there are cheaper toys on the market, we believe that this one is worth the outlay for the peace and quiet it’s sure to bring.
A word of warning, however. This brilliant box is likely to prove so popular with both tiny tots and older kids that it’ll end up knocking around in your attic for a good few years, awaiting the attention of future generations.
About the author
Madeline is a freelance writer and blogger who writes about family life, psychology, and photography on her blog This Glorious Life.
She is a mum of two who lives in Swansea and loves walking to the beach with her children, eating cinnamon rolls, and having fun with her camera.
How we chose our recommendations
We have thoroughly researched the best LEGO DUPLO sets for toddlers and young children and picked out our favourites. Our research includes tried and tested experiences from a wide range of reliable, trusted sources. Here is how we carefully picked out the best products.
Recommendations from real Mumsnet users
If anyone knows about the best toys on the market, it's the parents in our trusted Mumsnet community. To get their independent feedback on this topic, we scoured our forums to find the DUPLO sets that real mums and dads have tried, tested and loved.
Expert opinions
To make sure we choose the most fun DUPLO sets for you we also researched the thoughts and opinions of experts in the field.
Authentic customer reviews
Just in case the reviews of our Mumsnet users weren’t enough, we also visited a range of retailer sites and searched through the reviews there to make sure all the DUPLO playsets came highly recommended.
Why you should trust us
We work hard to provide unbiased, independent advice you can trust. We do sometimes earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links in our articles. This helps us fund more helpful articles like this one.
What The LEGO Group has to say
Some skills are best learned outside of the classroom. Like the emotional skills that help youngsters start off in life as both happy and confident. That’s why LEGO DUPLO playsets are tailor-made for toddlers, to nurture their…
Resilience
It sounds strange, but failing to fit LEGO DUPLO bricks together is as valuable as succeeding. From first learning to click two bricks together to eventually building anything they can imagine, sticking with a challenge provides a BIG start for kids learning to never give up.
Self-expression
There’s no wrong way to play with DUPLO bricks. And once kids understand that, it opens a BIG world of possibilities for them to imagine, create and express their own stories through loveable themes, diverse characters and drool-worthy colours.
Confidence
Every time a kid finds solutions to challenges or boldly sets off on a brand-new story to tell, their confidence gets a BIG boost. Fortunately for them, DUPLO bricks offer a perfect way to develop and exhibit this confidence. And it all starts by clicking two bricks together…