Available to pre-order for $89.99 / £79.99 at Lego, the Lego Minecraft Crafting Table is something of a 2-in-1 affair. The outside forms a 6-inch model of the iconic crafting table but like an ore block, you have to crack it open to get to the diamonds inside. Once you pop off the sides, the table reveals a diorama of a Minecraft world that is positively jam-packed with details that’ll delight any long-time fan. 

Despite its relatively diminutive size, the set manages to represent 12 different biomes ranging from the basic Plains to spooky Deep Dark (although I’ll admit I’m a tad salty they don’t have Mushroom Fields). Across its 1,195 pieces, it has also 5 distinct mini-builds which will apparently house a number of “hidden Easter Eggs” for builders to reveal while they assemble it.

Additionally, the Lego Minecraft Crafting Table houses eight dinky microfigures including player characters like Steve and Alex as well as mobs like a skeleton, a witch, a pig, a cow, a villager, and a Creeper. Sure, you’ll be able to shake up your display by dotting these guys around your scene but you can also customize your build with stickers. Some of these stickers play it straight with the Minecraft logo or a Create New World button but others feature silly inside jokes like “Now in 3D!”.

If you’re eager to get crafting your very own Crafting Table, you’re going to have to hold out until August 1. However, now is a really good time to get your pre-order in. Side note: while this set isn’t a Lego store exclusive, if you opt to pick it up from Lego directly you can nab yourself 640 Lego Insider Points. 

Want ideas of something to build in the meantime? Check out the best Lego sets or our guide to the best Lego Star Wars sets.

Lego Great Deku Tree is a 2-in-1 kit that can be used to make either the woodland spirit from Ocarina of Time or Breath of the Wild. Both versions are surprisingly distinct, too; even though a lot of pieces must be reused, the two builds are unique enough to look like separate Lego Legend of Zelda sets. They're stuffed with more than a little fan-service, too.

I've dug into the details below, but here's the headline: the Lego Great Deku Tree is due to launch this September 1. Unlike many newly-announced kits, you can also pre-order the set already for $299.99 at the Lego store (or £259.99 at Lego if you're based in the UK). 

Lego Great Deku Tree 2-in-1

This kit has been rumored for quite some time, and it's creating just as many waves as we thought it might. Lego's been clever here with that 2-in-one approach; it's appealing to fans both new and old without having to compromise for either.

Honestly, the thing that impresses me the most about this 2,500-piece set is how different it ends up looking depending on which version you choose. For starters, it's amazing how much the Great Deku Tree itself transforms thanks to a handful of cleverly-placed bricks and some more colorful leaves. Even though the overall shape remains the same, those extra touches transform the glum N64 iteration into the more vibrant Switch equivalent.

In addition, the environment itself feels as if it's come from another box entirely. You've got the murky, swamp-like Kokiri Forest on one hand (complete with Deku Baba plants and Link's childhood home) and the brighter, ruin-strewn woodland from Breath of the Wild on the other. 

I'm taken aback by the number of alternate minifigures as well. Besides Tears of the Kingdom Zelda, you're able to build kid/adult Link from Ocarina of Time alongside the blue-topped version from Breath of the Wild. I initially suspected that these would use the same heads and employ different bodies/legs, but as it turns out, they're entirely separate minifigs. It's an unnecessary touch that's cool because it wasn't needed.

The same goes for all of the many Easter eggs scattered throughout. Alongside more obvious nods like Hestu and his maracas, you can find the likes of a time-telling Sheikah Stone, a golden Skulltula, tiny Koroks, and a cooking station for Link to use if you look closely enough. 

I suspect there will be a lot of demand for this one when it launches this September 1, so it may be wise to get your pre-order in now.

For recommendations on what to build next, check out the best Lego sets or our guide to the best Lego Star Wars sets.

First up? There are a handful of Star Wars Lego kits on sale (ranging from TIE Bombers to helmets), but the most impressive one would be the Emperor's Throne Room Diorama if you ask me. This for-grown-ups display piece based on Return of the Jedi isn't far off its lowest-ever price, and you can grab it for $79.99 at Amazon (was $99.99) right now. Similarly, the mid-range Millennium Falcon kit is 20% cheaper via Amazon at the moment.

Harry Potter has seen some pretty decent offers too, including a particularly strong discount on the Room of Requirement, bringing it down to an all-time low of $39.99 at Amazon (was $49.99). However, my favorite might be a record low price on Lego Dobby that drops the house elf to $27.99 at Amazon (was $34.99). This build is so full of personality it's practically weighed down, and that's in spite of a smaller stature. Because it's only made up of 403 pieces, it's not too much of a commitment for fans of the wizarding world who are short on time.

You can get a lot of the recent space kits at Best Buy, too – it seems like the retailer is doing a clearance sale for plenty of these. You'll find all my top picks from this weekend's Memorial Day Lego deals just below.

For more recommendations, don't miss our guide to the best Lego sets. You can also check in with a galaxy far, far away via this roundup of the best Lego Star Wars sets.

Some of the great deals you can get your hands on include 45% off the Nerf Elite 2.0 Flipshots Flip-16 Blaster and 65% off the Nerf Rival Kronos XVIII-500 Blaster. Meanwhile, older kids and grown-ups can enjoy awesome blasters from Nerf’s Gelfire range including the Nerf Pro Gelfire Ghost Bolt Action Blaster (was $49.99, now $27.99) and the Nerf Pro Gelfire Dual Wield Pack, down from $29.99 to $12.49.

Also, if you’re excited for the next season of Fortnite but recognise that you should probably also go outside and touch grass too, you’ll be interested to know that you can get 24% off the Fortnite Pump SG Water Blaster and 39% off the Fortnite RL Water Blaster. Backyard battle royale, anyone?

Should you buy Nerf blasters?

You know when a specific brand name basically becomes synonymous with the product they make? Using a search engine? You’re Googling it. Need a tissue? Grab a Kleenex. If you want to run around like a giddy child and shoot foam projectiles at your friends? You need a Nerf blaster.

While it being “Nerf or nothin’” is a bit of an over exaggeration, Nerf does have a winning combination of good build quality, value, and range. Not to mention, Nerf being a childhood favorite of kids since the 1990s means that you can trust you’re picking up a blaster that is fun and – perhaps more importantly – safe. 

Looking for something fun to do on a rainy day? Check out one of the best board games for families. Once the kids pop to bed, you can bust out one of the best board games for adults.

The shabby ship that “made the Kessel Run in less than twelve parsecs” has seen plenty of bricky translations over the years and they consistently wind up in the lists of the best Lego Star Wars sets ever.

This 2019 Rise of Skywalker tie-in iteration (73257) is impressively screen-accurate and fits heaps of detail into its 1,351 pieces so it’s definitely up there with the best of them (especially now that the cool 2015 version has been retired). While it’s far from being the most expensive of the Lego Millennium Falcons, at $169.99, it’s still a fairly premium feeling set that definitely feels like treating yourself. 

Thankfully, you can get this set for $135.99 right now at Amazon thus landing yourself a nice little discount of $34. The only time we had ever seen this set drop below this price was last year, and even then it was only $9 off what we’re seeing now. The Lego Millennium Falcon being on sale, added to all the freetime you’ll likely have over the long weekend, means it’s definitely worth adding to your basket while you can.

Should you buy the Lego Millennium Falcon?

While far more modest in price and scale when compared to the $700 behemoth that is the UCS Millenium Falcon, this set offers a majorly satisfying ~4 hour build process that results in an awesome end result. Oh, and you can expect plenty of movie-accurate details to sooth your inner Star Wars nerd. 

Alongside the fabulous ship itself, the Lego Millennium Falcon set also comes with a selection of Minifigures from The Rise of Skywalker: Lando Calrissian, Chewbacca, Finn, C-3PO, R2-D2, D-O, and Boolio. Both suitable for display and play, the ship has room for any of the included figures to be placed inside of it and posed in the cockpit, kitchen, sleeping quarters, or main lounge area (where they can enjoy a little game of holochess). 

If building this iconic little hunk of junk with a Star Wars movie marathon playing in the background sounds like your idea of paradise, you’re welcome. I think we just figured out your perfect plans for this coming Memorial Day weekend.

If you have more big builds in mind, be sure to swing by our list of the best Lego deals. Alternatively, our picks for the best Star Wars action figures could have something you’ll love too. 

Lego Kapp'n's Island Boat Tour: Features

• Cosy island aesthetic
• Includes Kapp'n & Marshal
• Can be put together in a number of ways

As with all of the other Lego Animal Crossing sets, Kapp'n's Island Boat Tour recreates a small slice of what it's like to play the actual Animal Crossing games. For this set's purposes, that includes Kapp'n and his boat as well as several beachfront tiles with coconut trees and more. There's a fishing pole, bamboo, a shovel, and more. There are even little blue spillover pieces with white bits placed on top that mimic what it looks like when the tide comes in and there's a bit of white foam created.

Lego Kapp'n's Island Boat Tour: Build

• Will take up to an hour
• Not complex, despite being so customizable
• Can be combined with other Animal Crossing sets

While technically one of the middling sets in terms of size and price, Kapp'n's Island Boat Tour makes for a quick build. It took me just over an hour, with me taking my time, and none of the individual aspects of it were particularly fiddly. The most complex the build gets is some of the hidden odds and ends, but even those are quick to put together. It's by no means difficult to build; it just takes a little time to do it right.

Lego Kapp'n's Island Boat Tour: Design

• Can be built in many unique ways
• Adorable minifigures, as usual
• Could have included more secrets

The minifigs themselves – Kapp'n and Marshal – remain rather adorable as with all of the rest of the Lego Animal Crossing line. The large, bulbous heads and shortened legs really work here to recreate something akin to the proportions of Animal Crossing characters, and I've yet to meet a Lego Animal Crossing minifig that doesn't make me smile the first time. Kapp'n even comes with his own little sunglasses that can sit on top of his head, which seem like a must while he's out on his boat.

The customization options are a solid touch to the entire line, and it's nice to see the larger sets keep up with the idea that there are almost individual little islands within the build that can be mixed and matched with others. There's a real sense that any two sets, made by different people, could end up in seriously different permutations. This is reinforced in the Kapp'n's Island Boat Tour set by the somewhat large sprawl of its various bases, which really beg to be reconfigured in order to save space or otherwise connect to other sets.

The calling card of the Animal Crossing sets, beyond the ability to mix and match, seems to be the smaller touches here and there that take inspiration from the game. While there are certainly aspects of that in this set like the way the palm trees with coconuts are created so that there's a little frond on top that can sway, there's really only one minor little secret in the form of a coin under a rock. This is really a minor complaint, however, and is largely driven by the fact that I quite like the overall density of other sets like Bunnie's Outdoor Activities more.

That doesn't mean there isn't plenty to love here. The little umbrella and lounge chairs, complete with a small Lego sandwich between them, are a nice touch. Kapp'n's boat itself is absolutely blasted with personality from the coffee cup to the lantern to the way he sits next to the motor. There are even weeds on the ground in places, much like the video game itself. And a hermit crab!

Should you buy Lego Kapp'n's Island Boat Tour?

Kapp'n's Island Boat Tour is by no means the best possible set in the LEGO Animal Crossing line, but neither does it aim to be. It's the middle step up from the smaller sets into the more extravagant ones; this is most obvious in the fact that it's the cheapest set to include two different minifigs in it. 

For a set that sits firmly in the middle of the pack of a larger line, and one that's really a bit of a transitional one, it serves its purpose well. But I'd still likely recommend the bigger or smaller sets before I'd suggest this one.

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

How we tested Lego Kapp'n's Island Boat Tour

This kit was built over the course of a single session and took roughly an hour to complete. As well as highlighting any sections that were particularly difficult to construct, we also took note of any particularly enjoyable aspects. After the kit was finished, we considered the overall design and how it compares to other sets within the range.

You can find out more about our process in our 'how we test' guide.

"The original submission by Lucas was really amazing," says Lego designer Jordan David Scott. "What really stood out was that Lucas really thought about the story aspect of his design, not just how it looked. He created a journey through the build and we tried to reflect that in the building process."

Naturally, turning this idea into an actual thing you can put on a shelf is… well, a little more complicated. A lot went into making this kit (and the original adventure accompanying it), so I caught up with Lego and D&D creative director Chris Perkins to find out how Lego Dungeons & Dragons: Red Dragon's Tale went from a daydream to one of the best Lego sets.

Adventurers wanted

Back in late 2022, Lego put out a call asking for fan-created designs based on Dungeons & Dragons. The winner would be turned into a proper, will-actually-go-on-sale set – and Bolt's submission, Dragon's Keep: Journey's End, ran away with the prize. 

Although the original concept is very similar to what's now on store shelves, you'll find a few differences if you look closely (the green dragon has been swapped out and lots of new monsters were added, for example). Why? The Lego team wanted to make sure it encapsulated everything fans love about Dungeons & Dragons. Scott notes that he and many of his colleagues are big D&D fans who play on the regular, so were keen to push the boat out as much as possible when it came to fan service.

"Lucas' design was a great starting point, and we worked with him to elevate it," Scott tells me. "We wanted to showcase the most iconic creatures [in the set], which is why the Beholder, Owlbear, Displacer Beast, Gelatinous Cube, Mimics, Skeletons and Myconids were also included. We also wanted a strong lineup of adventurers and drew inspiration from the first boxed set of Dungeons & Dragons, where there were only three main classes; the Cleric, the Fighting Man and the Magic-User, and then later the Thief was added. This is why we ended with the Cleric, Fighter, Wizard, and Rogue." 

D&D publisher Wizards of the Coast had some notes as well – mainly surrounding that dragon.

"The dragon was the biggest change, and that was down to Wizards of the Coast input," Scott says. "Green dragons are super cool – they breathe poison after all – but the red dragon is THE most iconic of all the dragons, and so we chose to change it. We talked with Lucas about it and he had actually made a digital version where the dragon was red so he was very open to the change! The tavern also featured a red roof, so we decided to shift that color too, to balance it against the red dragon. Dungeons & Dragons is a very colorful world depending on the setting you are in, so we felt this color scheme worked well and made it stand out."

Choose your own adventure

Wizards of the Coast didn't just sign off on the project and call it a job well done; they drummed up an original adventure to go along with it. 

"We leaned into the Lego building aspect," Perkins explains. "The adventure is designed to be run while the set is being built. It includes important information about all the set’s monsters, traps, treasures, and location features. Players build the set and reveal new things as they play through the adventure – with or without the D&D rules."

That's only right for a game where the only limit is your imagination – it became one of the best tabletop RPGs through that kind of individuality, after all.

"Lucas’ design and the set that the Lego team designed is so inspiring and contains so many fun elements that it was easy to build an adventure around it," says Perkins. "It allowed us to explore what the set has to offer. The adventure gets to explain how the monsters behave, how the traps work, and so on. Red Dragon’s Tale also offers a choice of play styles: one that requires the D&D rules and another that allows the adventure to be run as more of a storytelling experience, with minimal reliance on the rules. Having both options gives D&D players and non-D&D players different but equally fun ways to interact with the set. Partnering with Lego gave us that sort of flexibility. I expect Dungeon Masters will find many clever ways to include the set (or parts thereof) in their home campaigns."

Speaking of which, the crossover doesn't seem to have run out of steam yet – separate D&D minifigure packs have been rumored, and although that's still unconfirmed, Perkins notes that Wizards of the Coast are "definitely" interested in further collaborations thanks to the "overwhelming" response. So, what would he personally like to see next?

"I think Castle Ravenloft would make a fantastic set. Or, for something smaller, a Spelljammer ship like a Nautiloid."

We can but dream. Lucas, what's your schedule looking like…?

Barad-dûr, the lair of series big-bad Sauron (you know, the tower with a flaming eye casually stuck to its roof) has been given an impressive makeover. Comprising over 5,000 pieces, this Lego Lord of the Rings set rises to 32.5 inches (83cm) tall and comes with 10 minifigures in total – including the Dark Lord himself. Oh, and that flaming eye sitting pretty at the top? It lights up.

Lego Barad-dûr will be available from June 1 if you're a Lego Insider or June 4 if you're not part of the free membership. The kit, which is exclusive to the Lego store, will set you back $459.99 or £399.99 at Lego UK. So long as you buy between June 1-7, you'll also get a free Fell Beast (those dragons the Ringwraiths flew) with a Nazgul rider.

You can't actually purchase this new Lord of the Rings Lego set yet, so we may need to wait until June to get our grubby mitts on this companion to Rivendell – a kit we'd argue is still one of the best Lego sets. However, to pass the time, you'll find all the details we have on Lego Barad-dûr below.

Lego Barad-dûr 

Thanks to how vertical it is, this kit is even more impressive than the last Lord of the Rings set – Lego Rivendell. While Barad-dûr doesn't have quite as many pieces (it has just over 5K compared to Rivendell's 6,167), it's every bit as attention-grabbing thanks to the spiky central spire that'll dominate any space it's in. Indeed, the tower can be stacked even higher if you use multiple sets (thanks, Jay's Brick Blog). 

Rather than being an enclosed building, Barad-dûr is a facade; flip it around and you'll see numerous chambers scaling its length, from an orcish mess hall to a torture chamber featuring a skeleton hanging from a cage. There's even an automated gate and light-up Eye of Sauron for added brownie points. If Rivendell was anything to go by, there should be plenty of hidden secrets too. 

To round all this out, the set comes with 10 minifigs; Frodo, Sam, Gollum, the Mouth of Sauron (someone from the extended editions with a literal and figurative big mouth), Gothmog from Return of the King, a handful of orcs, and the Dark Lord Sauron himself… pre 'oops-I-became-a-flaming-eye-cos-someone-stole-me-ring' phase.

Seeing as this is the second of Lego's new Lord of the Rings sets, I can't help but wonder what we might get next. Helm's Deep, that castle from the Two Towers? The multi-level city of Minis Tirith from Return of the King? Personally, I hope we end up with Bag End at some point. 

For more brick-based goodness, check out the best Lego Star Wars sets. To save money along the way, don't miss the latest Lego deals either!

I’m happy to say that Lego has done a fantastic job with this replica, offering a gorgeous display model that’s packed with interesting building techniques. Despite the affordable price tag of $79.99, it does feel a little light on pieces for the cost. However, the slick design of the Lego Tantive IV means it’s still up there with the best Lego Star Wars sets for adults for me.

Lego Tantive IV features

• Comes with display stand
• 25th anniversary plaque
• No minifigures

The Tantive IV is the latest addition to Lego’s Starship Collection — a set of display pieces aimed at adult Star Wars (and Lego) fans. These smaller ship models are designed to fit nicely on a bookshelf in a classy, adult nerd’s living room. To that end, the model has a slick black display stand, complete with a printed name plate and a 25th anniversary plaque that can stand alongside it.

One of the downsides of the Starship Collection rears its ugly head again here though — no minifigures. It’s Princess Leia’s ship, so it wouldn’t have killed them to include a little Princess Leia minifigure with the Lego Tantive IV. And, to be honest, at the price you’re paying for such a low piece-count model, throw in R2-D2 and C-3PO too.

Lego Tantive IV build

• Takes a few hours to complete
• Varied build techniques, so never gets boring
• Some stickers, but they’re mercifully easy to apply

I built the Lego Star Wars Tantive IV over a few hours in a single evening, although you could easily stretch it out into a couple of nights. Following the instruction booklet, you’ll assemble up to the main body before moving on to the massive engine array. This iconic rear end (not like that) is cleverly designed, with the central row of thrusters attaching directly to the hull, with the top and bottom rows then clipping into place around it.

During construction I was impressed at how varied the techniques and pieces I was using were — the build never got repetitive or monotonous. There are loads of clever techniques used to build the angled sections of the hull, and the engine array is an impressive piece of micro engineering.

I also really love how they did the little double-barreled turrets, which are made using three of the same piece, with the middle one attaching the weapon to the ship.

There are quite a few stickers included in the set, which are always the bane of any Lego fan's existence. Most of them were simple to apply, but because of how circular Lego pieces are attached, you do need to be careful with the alignment of the circular stickers on the side of the prow.

Overall, the Lego Star Wars Tantive IV is great fun to build, but the price does feel a little steep for the piece count considering that you’ll be done building it in no time — the Executor Super Star Destroyer is a similar style of Lego set with about the same piece count, and it’s $10 cheaper than the Tantive, which doesn’t seem right. 

Lego Tantive IV design

• Excellent replica of an underrated Star Wars ship
• Some nice nods to the movie
• Sleek display stand

The Lego Star Wars Tantive IV is a gorgeous little display piece when it’s finished, offering a wonderful replica of Princess Leia’s iconic ship for older Star Wars fans to enjoy. The massive engine block at the back is the most recognisable part of the Tantive, and it looks fantastic here. The stickers, while annoying to apply, do also give a load of fine detail to the outer hull.

This set isn’t a toy, so there aren’t any moving parts, working turrets, or minifigures (if you want something like that, check out our Lego Boarding the Tantive IV review). That being said, there are plenty of little details for movie buffs to look out for and enjoy.

On the underside of the ship you can see the escape pods, complete with one missing pod — you’ll have to chase down R2-D2 and C-3PO if you want that back. The communications array on the top of the ship has also been repaired after the Empire blew it up during the opening chase scene in Star Wars: A New Hope.

The whole thing comes mounted on a classy black display stand, complete with a printed plaque displaying the name of the ship. You also get a nice 25-years of Lego Star Wars anniversary brick which can sit alongside it too. The model is a great size to sit on a bookshelf, and even fits nicely into those Ikea Kallax cube shelves if you have one of those.

Should you buy the Lego Tantive IV?

The Lego Star Wars Tantive IV is a must-own for adult fans of the classic Star Wars movies. I had a great time putting it all together, and the relatively short build time means it doesn’t feel like a huge time commitment. The completed model looks excellent, and will be taking pride of place on one of my bookshelves… or realistically flying alongside the Lego UCS Venator set that I checked out earlier in 2024.

It is a little more expensive than I’d like though, so I’d maybe recommend waiting for a sale unless you’re desperate to add this ship to your fleet.

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

How we tested the Lego Tantive IV

I built this set over the course of a single evening, and it took around 2-3 hours to complete. I followed the instructions, making sure to look out for sections that were particularly difficult or confusing, as well as highlighting enjoyable aspects of the build.

Once the build was finished, I considered the overall design: how good it looks, how accurately it replicates the ship from the movie, and any special features that it has (or is lacking).

You can find out more about our process in our 'how we test' guide.

For more recommendations, don't miss our guide to the best Lego sets or these Star Wars gifts.

What’s more, Lego flowers are particularly perfect for moms who love arts and crafts or construction. The end-product may be beautiful but the process of building them is just as valuable as these botanically inspired builds are among some of the best Lego sets. 

The only issue is Lego flowers will set you back a little more than their natural counterparts. Thankfully, you can take advantage of sales of up to 35% off Lego flowers and plants right now, making this unique Mother’s Day gift idea a lot easier on your wallet. 

Should you buy Lego flowers?

There are plenty of other rival construction toy brands that aim to create products like Lego and many of these also produce buildable artificial flowers. However, it’s usually worth picking up the original instead of imitators. Not only will you likely notice a difference in quality and compatibility with other sets, but knock-off Lego flowers are not that much cheaper than the official versions, especially when you factor in great deals like the ones we’re seeing at the moment.

Of course, Lego flowers aren’t just great for Mother’s Day gifts. They also make great options for anniversaries, birthdays, or just as a little treat for yourself. So, whether you’re hoping to mark a special occasion or just want to add some seasonal color to your living space, these savings make for a great excuse to pick up some Lego flowers.

More into May the 4th than May the 12th? You’ll want to check out the best Lego Star Wars Lego sets. If you’re still keen to save bucks on those bricks, give our Lego deals page a look too.