What’s better than free? Okay, maybe not free, maybe buying extra LEGO sets to meet a threshold… but some of the LEGO gift with purchase sets are absolutely excellent; Blocks picks out the five best freebie sets.
Gift with purchase (GWP) sets are those boxes included at no additional cost when you spend a certain amount at LEGO.com or in a LEGO Store. While they may vary in build quality (and the spending threshold), some gifts with purchase truly stand head and shoulders above the rest. Here is our list of the five greatest gift with purchase sets yet.
5. 40079 Mini VW T1 Camper Van
Here’s an oldie but a goodie, and the only licensed set on this list. This 76-piece set is surprisingly expensive on the aftermarket, but there’s a good reason why. It’s an excellent recreation of 10220 Volkswagen T1 Camper Van that still captures the smoothness of the T1 and fits in the palm of your hand.
The biggest argument for it is its almost seamless build and fantastic look despite using less than 100 pieces. This small camper van even captures the pop-up roof with stationary orange plates, a function seen in in its bigger brother and in the recently retired 10279 Volkswagen T2 Camper Van.
4. 40370 LEGO Trains 40th Anniversary Set
LEGO Train fans rejoiced in 2020. This LEGO set may not have had the Powered Up! capabilities of modern trains or the detail of the famed 10194 Emerald Night, but that’s part of its charm. As an almost one-for-one recreation of set 7810 Push-along Engine from 1980, you can enjoy a build that hardly deviates from its predecessor for maximum accuracy.
It includes updated graphics, a spectacular display base and a faithfully redesigned minifigure, but everything’s how you’d remember it from more than 40 years ago. The same can’t be said for 40581 BIONICLE Tahu and Takua (reviewed here), which ticks the boxes but features a divisive updated build.
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3. 40563 Tribute to LEGO House
Set 40563 Tribute to LEGO House (reviewed here) is five builds in one box, each recreating a LEGO House exclusive set. Perhaps its subject matter won’t appeal to more casual LEGO fans, but that doesn’t take much away from this spectacular set.
The Architecture-style LEGO House and Tree of Creativity are fun models, but more exciting are the Brick Moulding Machine and Dinosaurs models, featuring great studs-on-the-side construction and detailing. Even so, the best is the ‘wooden’ duck; a model that represents the story of why ‘Only the best is good enough’ is the LEGO Group’s motto. This set was the perfect garnish to your purchase, and this time, without the varnish.
2. 40448 Vintage Car
LEGO Ideas sets has infiltrated the gift with purchase line-up, and for that, fans are very grateful. There’s a reason 40566 Ray the Castaway and 40487 Sailboat Adventure were runners-up for this list, just as there’s a reason 40448 Vintage Car wins this slot.
This convertible comes in a gorgeous, rare teal colourway and features enough nice parts usage (NPU) to make your head spin. The windscreen is attached on an angle using clips, a roller skate is used as a hood ornament and white surfboards add detail to each side of the car. Its style and scale also meant it was the perfect fit for your modular buildings or city.
1. 40580 Blacktron Cruiser
40370 LEGO Trains 40th Anniversary was remarkable due to its closeness to the original model, but let’s not forget the newest GWP on the list, 40580 Blacktron Cruiser (reviewed here). It deviates from its predecessor without missing what it so special. You’ll love its complete modernisation, especially with its awesome fins decorated in red tiles (6894 Invader famously used trans-red plates).
What sets this apart from other gift with purchase sets is its modularity – the ship is made up of three sections, just like the original Blacktron sets, letting you create the starfighter of your dreams. Another set celebrating the LEGO Group’s 90th Anniversary, 40567 Forest Hideout, was an easy runner-up for this slot. Fans of Classic Space could easily pair this with the revered 10497 Galaxy Explorer from 2022.
While every set listed above is now retired from the LEGO Group’s product portfolio, all can be found at online marketplaces. 40581 Tahu and Takua is currently available with purchases of £90/$100/€100 at LEGO.com.
What are your favourite gift with purchase sets? Let us know in the comments!