19 Aug 2025
There’s a growing community of enthusiastic St Albans adults who want to share their love of a popular children’s toy – in case you discover it helps you too.
Adults across the city are spending money, time and energy on Britain’s best-loved toy for fun, to unwind and purely for pleasure, writes Caroline Thain.
Lego was recently crowned top of a 100-toy chart by retailer Hamleys, rated the best toy of all time for its enduring popularity, cultural impact and historical significance.
And Lego has seen a recent resurgence among fully grown humans, who don’t always reach for the ranges marketed to adults of the popular children’s building brick brand.
First released in 1958, it has extended into other types of toys, films, and theme parks for what Hamleys describes as being a “timeless creative global phenomenon”.
From mini figures, to animals, superheroes, flowers and buildings, over 18s are proudly investing and indulging in their plastic-based pastime.
The colourful blocks that click satisfyingly together are even scientifically proven to have health and wellbeing benefits.
According to PostivePsychology.com Lego is being increasingly used by adults to encourage mindfulness and relaxation.
Experts agree there are multiple therapeutic and cognitive perks, such as aiding concentration, improving problem-solving skills and helping adults reduce stress.
43-year-old Danielle Brawn, who lives in Gurney Court Road, found Lego has supported her in coping with the death of a close friend.
She said: “Unexpectedly, I noticed it really helped me with bereavement. I have two young sons who have always loved Lego, and when my best friend of 36 years, Hannah, died, I would spend hours in the playroom sorting and building Lego sets, long after the kids had been put to bed.
“I felt lost, empty and strange but I wasn’t ready to open up and talk to anyone. I just wanted to be alone.
“I think Lego is incredible for mental health. It helps focus the mind and is a distraction from the overwhelming fast-paced digital world we now live in.
“I honestly think it helped me through one of my darkest periods. When I build, I feel calm, relaxed and happy. This was the best therapy for me while I was grieving.”
Danielle says she has bought some bigger sets such as the Home Alone house, Harry Potter sets and Star Wars Millenium Falcon, which are displayed in her home but accessible for her children to play with.
She added: “I would class it as more than a hobby. For me, it’s a comforting therapeutic activity. It is a great thing for me to do when I need physical and mental space from the real world. I will definitely continue with Lego in the future. Our biggest issue is we are running out of space!”
Marianne Burrows, 51, from Cottonmill, has enjoyed Lego since she was a child. She sees it as a hobby, although she finds it therapeutic.
Her favourite sets are mostly flowers and plant sets, which she buys to put together and display, and she has a few animal models too. She is not put off by Lego being largely aimed at children and reaches for whatever she is drawn to.
Marianne said: “I don’t have a preference age wise – if I like it, I’ll buy it. Lego makes me feel calm and relaxed with a sense of pride when I’ve built it.
“I rediscovered Lego from childhood when my own children were using it a few years ago. I don’t see it as playing as such – more building and displaying.
“Like all hobbies I might get bored and move on to something else but I always come back to Lego again. And I’ll continue to build for as long as I’m able and there are sets that I like.”
While it is often thought of as a solitary activity, there are socialisation benefits that come from creating with Lego in groups. Though St Albans doesn’t appear to have any adult groups, as yet.
Sally Dixon, 50, lives in The Ridgeway, where she co-runs a Lego club for children at Marshalswick Library, on Tuesday afternoons.
She said: “The parents stay with the children, so us adults often have as much fun as the kids do. I have loved Lego since I was a child and it’s great that I still get to build as an adult.
“I love doing the displays for the library. My favourite build is a Lego version of the Marshalswick Library with mini figures of all the library staff. We also made a Summer Reading Challenge front window display with the kids, with all the characters in.”
Sally is considering starting an adult Lego event in an evening, if there would be enough interest.
Charlie Sena, 21, Holyrood Crescent, also finds fun creating with others.
Charlie re-ignited her passion for Lego through her child. Now they play with it together and she builds with her partner after her four-year-old is in bed.
She said: “My little boy plays with the same Lego sets I used as a child, which helped me get back into it as an adult.
“I do a mix of free building and putting sets together. It makes me pretty excited. We’ve had days before where all the adults in the family sit together and build. It’s a really nice way to bond.
“I love doing the flower sets and my partner has got me a few. We do them together when my son is asleep and it’s great. We really enjoy making a night of it with snacks, listening to music while we build.”
Mags Murray, 62, from Anson Close in London Colney, uses Lego to help manage symptoms of bipolar, anxiety and depression.
She said: “I’m a huge Lego fan and it helps me relax and really focus. My brain isn’t otherwise busy when I’m playing with Lego and I don’t have intrusive thoughts. I find joy, calm and focus. It’s not a hobby but definitely a therapy of its own.
“Because I was a girl, my parents wouldn’t have got me Lego when I was a child and it used to be more expensive. I wish it didn’t cost so much but I’ve tried cheaper brands and they’re not as good. My favourite is the bonsai tree. I’m never stopping.”
Mags likes the three-in-one sets, where you can make multiple builds, and reaches for kits that are for all ages. She says there isn’t much difference in ‘child’ or ‘adult’ sets except for the marketing.
But her construction skills don’t extend to regular DIY and she reports that she couldn’t get the drill into the wall, so her Lego display shelf is stuck on with strong adhesive. She adds she might have to get more shelving, as her passion and collection grows.
Though it’s not always good for your health as Gary Broadbent, St Albans’ social media icon, pointed out online, “It certainly doesn’t improve your life if you tread on a piece of it with no shoes on.”
