Lego Star Wars isn’t just a hobby for me—it’s a treasure trove of memories and experiences that have shaped my love for both Lego and the Star Wars saga over the years. From the thrill of building my very first X-Wing as a kid to late-night sessions piecing together intricate sets with friends, each Lego Star Wars model holds a special place in my heart. Through every brick and minifigure, I’ve not only recreated epic scenes from a galaxy far, far away but also built lasting memories that I cherish today.
In this blog post, I want to take you on a journey through my personal history with Lego Star Wars—sharing the sets that marked important moments, the lessons I’ve learned as a collector, and the stories that make this hobby so meaningful to me. Whether you’re a fellow enthusiast or just curious about the magic behind Lego Star Wars, join me as I look back on the experiences that have made this adventure unforgettable.
Looking back, I honestly can’t pinpoint exactly when my Lego journey started—it feels like these colorful bricks have always been a part of my life. My earliest Lego memory goes all the way back to building a car with my dad, using his own childhood set. The box was filled with a nostalgic jumble of mismatched yellow and red bricks, plus some big, chunky wheels. There were no instructions, no pressure—we just let our imaginations take the wheel and enjoyed the simple act of building something together. Sometimes, we’d run out of bricks mid-build, and I’d wish for an even bigger box, dreaming up future creations.
Lego wasn’t just about building for me; it was about bonding, creativity, and even venturing into new worlds of play. I was obsessed with making cars—especially ones from Formula 1 —in every shape and size, adapting my designs depending on what caught my interest that day. My love for Lego even spilled over to the digital world with Lego Racers on PC, where I could design my own kart and race Mario Kart-style. These early experiences built the foundation of fun, creativity, and nostalgia that still fuels my Lego Star Wars hobby today.
Some of my best childhood memories revolve around long afternoons spent building with my brothers. Together, we’d lose ourselves for hours, each of us adding to sprawling custom worlds inspired by whatever sparked our imagination that day. Sometimes we’d design high-tech sci-fi bases, complete with robot guardians; other times, we’d craft grand fantasy castles filled with rival knights and horses. It was all about teamwork, storytelling, and letting our creativity run wild.
The first Lego theme I truly fell in love with was Lego Knights’ Kingdom, which launched back in 2004. While I can’t remember every set I owned, I have vivid memories of their buildable action figures. One that stands out was when my parents surprised me with the King Mathias set (8786) at the pub to keep me entertained—looking back, it’s wild to realize how long ago that was!
Birthdays and Christmases were always filled with the hope of receiving Lego sets. Every year, I’d painstakingly circle my wish-list in the Argos catalogue (if I’m honest, it was pretty much every set). On gift-giving days, I’d eagerly shake every present for that unmistakable Lego rattle. As I grew older, my attention shifted fully to Lego Star Wars, fueled by my obsession with both the movies and the games. (Check out my top 10 games here! ) Special traditions made the hobby even more magical. A birthday trip to Legoland was always the ultimate treat, and I was lucky enough to visit a few times. Exploring the incredible Lego buildings, riding the themed attractions, and earning proud batches of Lego driving licenses (I collected three or four over the years!) are memories I’ll always cherish—and ones I can’t wait to share with my own kids. I still remember the excitement of buying a foam sword and shield from the Lego Knights’ Kingdom market, then racing home with my brother to spend days on end play-fighting and letting our fantasies come to life.
There are so many stories I could tell, and if you want to read more of my favorite Lego memories, be sure to check out this post here!
Like many lifelong fans, I went through the infamous “dark ages” where I hardly touched a single Lego brick. But everything changed a couple of years ago, just before Christmas, thanks to my girlfriend. During the first Covid Christmas, with the world in lockdown, she gifted me Anakin’s Jedi Interceptor (75281) so we could build it together. It was the perfect way to spend time when we couldn’t go out, and it reignited all those childhood feelings I’d nearly forgotten. I built the set within hours of receiving it—the rush of excitement was so real, it felt like my childhood was coming back in full force. (Still a bit sad I misplaced the set during a move, but the spark was definitely lit again!)
A year later, the 501st Legion Clone Troopers (75280) became part of my collection—a set that’s practically legendary among Star Wars fans. Soon after, I stumbled across a sealed but battle-worn Kashyyyk Trooper battle pack being sold locally and couldn’t resist picking it up for my growing clone army. With these sets, I suddenly found myself reminiscing about all the Lego Star Wars boxes gathering dust in my parents’ attic. I called them up, asked if I could finally dig them out (which I’m sure they were grateful for), and coming home to rediscover all those old pieces and minifigs was just such a wave of nostalgia. It felt like reconnecting with an old friend.
At first, I was a bit self-conscious about being an adult who builds Lego—worried what others might think, and hesitant to share much about my hobby. But my partner was super supportive, and as I started opening up, I discovered that several friends were secretly Lego fans too! It turns out, there’s a massive community of adult Lego fans (AFOLs) out there, and the more I shared, the more connections I made. Now whenever one of us grabs a cool new Star Wars set or finds a great deal, we can’t wait to share it in our group chat. Sometimes friends will come over, and while some of us watch TV or do puzzles, I’ll build a Lego set and we’ll catch up, chat, and just hang out. Every time a new wave of releases drops, we’re all sharing our favorites and nerding out together. Honestly, it’s been such an unexpected source of fun and connection as an adult—I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
I’ve been back in the Lego Star Wars hobby for almost four years now, and my collection has grown far more than I ever imagined. Through a mix of buying awesome new releases and rebuilding old favorites, I’ve managed to assemble a total of 71 different Lego Star Wars sets—ranging from classics released in 2009 all the way up to sets dropping in 2025. I even have a few duplicates stashed away, ready to trade with friends or maybe keep for my kids someday.
A full tour of my collection deserves its own blog post, but here are some of my absolute highlights. The UCS Venator is probably my crown jewel—it was my very first Ultimate Collector Series set and it feels epic seeing it on display. Another standout is my Sith Fury Interceptor from 2012. As I mentioned in my post on my top 10 Star Wars games, Star Wars: The Old Republic is a game I adore, so owning sets from that era means a lot. I was lucky enough to grab the Fury Interceptor when it first came out, even before I played the game! In 2023, I started the mission to hunt down every single SWTOR-inspired set. I’m nearly there—just two elusive minifigs from the Jedi Defender Class Cruiser remain on my wishlist. They’re the most expensive, of course, but collecting wouldn’t be as fun without a little challenge! Those Old Republic ships have been on display ever since I got them.
Most of my Lego sets are proudly displayed across three sets of shelves scattered around the house. I’ve even crafted a custom display frame to showcase my favourite minifigures when I run out of shelf space! I usually theme each shelf—matching sets from similar Star Wars eras or planets—so things look tidy, organized, and a bit like a mini Star Wars museum. I love to swap things around, especially when a new release comes out, to keep everything fresh and exciting. The only downside? Keeping sets dust-free! Right now, I spend two or three hours every couple of weeks cleaning them, so I’m definitely planning on updating to sealed glass displays soon. I’ve got my eye on those custom WickedBricks acrylic cases for Ikea shelves—they’re high on my ever-growing Lego collector wishlist.
While Lego Star Wars is really the only theme I’m seriously collecting, I have to admit the new Lego Formula 1 sets are incredibly tempting. F1 was a huge part of my childhood, and I’m a longtime Red Bull Racing fan, so I had to grab the RB21 Speed Champions set when it came out—it has pride of place in my living room! The larger Technic sets look phenomenal, but with limited space (and budget), I’ve managed to resist for now. I’m also eyeing some of the new medieval Lego sets, since those classic knights and castles bring back great memories, but for now, I’ll just admire them from afar. Having “adult money” is fun—and a little bit dangerous—but the Lego wishlist always seems to stay one step ahead!
One of the things I’ve loved most about my return to Lego Star Wars is finding a whole community of fans who share the same passion. There’s something really inspiring about seeing other people’s custom builds, sharing collecting tips, and keeping up with the latest Lego Star Wars news. I’m active on a few great Lego subreddits like r/Lego, r/LegoStarWars, and r/LegoLeak—they’re perfect for discovering incredible MOCs (My Own Creations), catching sneak peeks of upcoming sets, and finding the occasional bargain.
When it comes to video content, MandRproductions is my go-to Lego YouTuber. His vlogs always have a fun mix of collection updates, unboxings, and set reviews. Even though I’m not someone who’s on social media every day, I always look forward to checking in and catching up on the latest videos and community discussions.
A real highlight of being part of the Lego Star Wars community is the annual Lego May the 4th Promotion. Each year, Lego celebrates all things Star Wars with some of the year’s best discounts and exclusive gifts-with-purchase (GWPs)—a true event for collectors! For me, May the 4th is the one time I let myself go big, usually picking up several discounted sets all at once to take advantage of the deals and free collector’s items. I don’t usually buy the newest sets right on release; I find it’s smarter to wait a year or so, when they’re more affordable. Right now, I’m still working my way through sets from 2024, and no doubt I’ll be chasing the 2025 releases a year from now. It takes a little patience, but it makes collecting much more sustainable—and let’s be honest, Lego can get expensive pretty fast!
Whether it’s through online forums, YouTube content, or community events like May the 4th, connecting with other Lego Star Wars fans has added a whole new layer of enjoyment to the hobby. There’s just always something new to see, learn, or get excited about.
As I’ve grown older, my love for building Lego has taken on a whole new meaning. Beyond the nostalgia and the fun of collecting Star Wars sets, building Lego has become a genuine form of relaxation and mindfulness in my adult life. With a busy schedule and an ADHD brain that never really switches off, sitting down with a new Lego set helps me slow down, focus, and just enjoy the process—one step at a time. It’s almost meditative. I’ve learned to savor the experience too—whereas I used to rush through a set in one sitting, now I tend to build just a few bags at a time, stretching the enjoyment out over several evenings.
Lego isn’t just a solo hobby, either. My collection has actually turned out to be a great conversation starter whenever people visit. Guests love to check out what’s new on my shelves, and the collection always sparks fun (and sometimes surprising) discussions. For anyone who finds small talk awkward (like me!), sharing a passion like Lego makes connecting with others that much easier.
An unexpected side effect of being back in the hobby is that I’ve become interested in the economics of Lego collecting. When I started looking up old Star Wars sets I missed out on, I was shocked by how much some of them now sell for—especially if they’re sealed! That realization led me to start collecting sealed sets myself, both as a potential investment and for pure collecting satisfaction. Admittedly, I got a bit carried away at first, snapping up battle packs and sets without really thinking through exactly where I’d keep them all. But I’ve been fascinated to see how well Lego sets hold their value over the years, especially compared to some other collectibles.
Overall, Lego has become my go-to for unwinding, a surprising means of social connection, and even a lesson in patience and value. It’s all these little things that have made it something I genuinely appreciate having in my life now.
Tips for New or Returning Lego Fans
If you’re thinking about jumping back into the world of Lego—especially Lego Star Wars—here are a few tips I’ve picked up that can save you time, money, and a lot of hassle!
Be Patient with New Sets: My top advice? Don’t feel pressured to buy every new set on release day. I know the hype can be tempting, but if you wait just six months or so, you’ll usually start to see some great discounts both online and in stores. Over time, these savings really add up—plus, searching for deals becomes its own fun challenge.
Brick-Hunting and Bulk Buying: If you enjoy the thrill of the hunt and don’t mind a little sorting, try buying Lego bricks in bulk from local Facebook Marketplace ads or car boot sales. You never know what hidden treasures you’ll uncover—sometimes you’ll find rare pieces or classic minifigs mixed in. Collecting loose bricks is also a fantastic way to grow a parts collection for building MOCs or even recreating official sets without buying them new.
Make Use of Free Resources: Did you know Lego offers instructions for nearly all their sets online? If there’s a particular set you love but don’t own, simply download the parts list and get to work sourcing bricks yourself. It’s like a personal Lego scavenger hunt!
Check for Forgotten Lego: If you grew up with Lego, definitely ask your parents whether there’s an old box or bin still lurking in the attic or garage. Rediscovering your childhood collection is not just nostalgic—it can sometimes yield some real gems that are hard (or expensive!) to find today.
Get Involved with the Community: Reddit is one of my favorite Lego resources, with active subreddits like r/Lego and r/LegoStarWars. These communities are welcoming spaces to ask questions, share your latest builds, swap collecting tips, and celebrate your hobby with others who “get it.” There’s no shame in enjoying what you love—embrace your interests and do what makes you happy!
Whether you’re starting from scratch or diving back in, the Lego community is more welcoming and helpful than ever.
Looking back on my Lego Star Wars journey, it’s amazing to see how much joy, creativity, and connection these little bricks have brought into my life. From building mismatched cars with my dad and epic castles with my brothers, to rediscovering the magic as an adult alongside friends and my partner—Lego has added something special to every stage of my story.
Today, Lego is more than just a hobby; it’s how I unwind, express myself, and bond with a vibrant community of fellow fans. Whether it’s hunting down rare sets, completing a challenging build, or simply showing off my collection when someone visits, Lego continues to spark excitement, nostalgia, and new friendships.
If you’re considering getting back into Lego, or starting your own Lego Star Wars collection, my best advice is: just go for it. Build at your own pace, chase what makes you happy, and embrace the magic—no matter your age.
I’d love to hear from you—what was your first Lego set, or the favourite one you built as a kid? Do you have any special Lego memories from your childhood, or a set you still dream of owning? Share your stories in the comments below, and let’s celebrate our love for Lego together. May the Force (and builder’s luck) be with you!
The Life of J 