LEGO Friends 2026: guide by age, Heartlake characters and best sets

If you have a girl or boy aged 6 to 12 at home who likes to build, make up stories and play with characters, you have probably already come across LEGO Friends. It is one of LEGO's best-loved lines and, at the same time, one of the ones that raises the most questions in the shop: from what age? Which set should I buy first? Do the old sets work with the new ones? At Híper Ocio we have been selling LEGO for years as an official authorised retailer, and this guide sums up the questions you ask us every week at the counter.

LEGO Friends is not about superheroes or spaceships. It is about everyday life in Heartlake City: a café, a vet clinic, a bedroom, a recycling truck. That down-to-earth approach is exactly what hooks children, because role play (feeding the animals, running a restaurant, throwing a party) comes naturally with pieces they recognise from their own day-to-day lives.

In this guide we explain how the line is organised, who the characters in the new Heartlake City are, which sets we have in stock right now, what is new for 2026 and how to choose the right one by age and budget. Everything with real products and prices from our shop, no hype.

What is LEGO Friends and how is it different from other lines?

LEGO Friends was launched in 2012 and has become the gateway into the LEGO world for a great many girls (and boys too; play has no gender). Unlike lines such as Technic or Star Wars, which focus on mechanisms or collecting, Friends is all about themed play and stories: each set is a setting with poseable minidolls, pets and tiny accessories that invite you to put a scene together and play with it for months.

There are three key differences worth understanding before you buy. The first is that Friends uses "minidolls" instead of the classic yellow minifigures: they are slightly taller figures with movable arms and legs, but they do not come apart like regular minifigures. The second is that the brick is 100% compatible with the rest of LEGO: you can combine Friends pieces with Classic, City or Creator without any problem. And the third is the colour palette, much brighter (pinks, turquoises, lilacs), designed for building whole neighbourhoods of Heartlake.

If you are coming from DUPLO and looking for the next step, Friends is a great transition to the small brick. And if you are torn between lines, our LEGO City guide or LEGO DUPLO guide can help you compare approaches.

The characters of the new Heartlake City

In 2023 LEGO completely renewed the line with a "new generation" of lead characters, more diverse and with more clearly defined personalities. The main group is made up of eight friends: Autumn, Aliya, Leo, Liann, Nova, Olly, Paisley and Zac. Each has their own hobbies (music, animals, science, sport), and this is reflected in the sets: you will find everything from a personalised bedroom to vehicles, shops and community spaces.

That change was not just cosmetic: the line began to include more male characters, characters with different abilities and a much wider variety of themes, from recycling to sport by way of science. For the buyer, this means something practical: there is a LEGO Friends set for almost any interest your little one has.

This change matters for two more practical reasons. One, because the recent sets (numbered 426xx onwards) share this universe and its minidolls, so it is easy to expand the collection in a coherent way. And two, because the sets from before 2023 (such as the 417xx ones) are still perfectly playable and compatible: the bricks fit the same way, only the characters change. If you inherit or reuse old sets, there is no problem in mixing them.

What age? LEGO Friends by age band

The box always shows the recommended age, and it is worth respecting it because it determines the size of the pieces and the number of building steps. As a general guide, this is what we tell customers in the shop:

• 6-7 years: small and medium sets, from 100 to 250 pieces, with a single clear setting. Vehicles, stalls and bedrooms. They are ideal for starting without frustration and building in one afternoon.
• 8-10 years: the sweet spot of the line. Sets of 250 to 600 pieces with several rooms, simple mechanisms and plenty of accessories. This is where restaurants, clinics and shops come in.
• 10-12 years: the big sets, from 600 pieces upwards, such as the treehouse or multi-storey buildings. They take more patience and give you builds that look good as bedroom decoration.

One honest piece of advice: if you are unsure between two ages, choose the set from the lower band. An 8-year-old will enjoy a set marked "6+" enormously, while one that is too complicated can end up built by the parents and abandoned. The motivation of finishing it on their own is worth its weight in gold.

The best LEGO Friends sets available at Híper Ocio

These are the Friends sets we have in the shop right now with real stock. Real prices and availability; if something sells out, we usually restock, so ask us.

Heartlake Classic Restaurant (41728): €29.99

Our favourite for a gift that is a safe bet. The Heartlake Classic Restaurant is a round setting with a terrace, kitchen, counter and lots of tiny food accessories that give plenty of role play. For ages 8 and up, it is one of those sets that you build once and then use for months.

Farm Animal Vet Clinic (42632): €27.99

Perfect for little ones who adore animals. The Farm Animal Vet Clinic includes animal figures and care accessories (food, utensils, examination table) that turn the set into a "look after and heal" game. It belongs to the new Heartlake generation, so it combines brilliantly with the rest of the recent sets.

Recycling Truck (41712): €18.99

One of the most complete sets for its price. The Recycling Truck offers double value: it is a vehicle with a bin mechanism and, at the same time, a perfect excuse to talk to children about recycling and looking after the environment. For ages 6 and up, it fits any gift budget.

Liann's Room (41739): €19.99

If you are looking for something small and very personal, Liann's Room recreates the bedroom of one of the characters in the new Heartlake, with a bed, desk and decorative details. It is an ideal set to complete a collection or as a birthday present without spending much.

Stargazing Vehicle (42603): €29.99

For those curious about the sky. The Stargazing Vehicle combines an observatory van with an astronomy theme: telescope, star map and space for camping. It brings together building and science, something many of us parents love.

Electric Car and Charger (42609): €14.99

The cheapest in the selection and perfect as a first set or small gift. The Electric Car and Charger introduces the idea of sustainable mobility in a simple way and builds in no time, ideal for ages 6-7.

LEGO Friends 2026 news: where the line is heading

2026 is a busy year for LEGO Friends. The brand has expanded Heartlake City with a whole theme of amusement parks and the outdoors: Ferris wheels, roller coasters, carousels and big sets such as the Heartlake City Grand Hotel, the most ambitious of the summer season. New animals are also arriving (from seals to axolotls) and very colourful buildings.

In the shop we have already been adding part of that wave. The Fun Day at the Water Park (42676), at €26.99, is the best example: slides, a pool and summer accessories, right in line with the "theme park" direction of the range this year. We will add the models that LEGO has not yet officially released as they come out.

And the big sets? The treehouse

Once your child has mastered the medium-sized sets, the natural next step is the big builds. The Friendship Treehouse (42652), with more than 700 pieces and about 31 cm tall, is the current flagship of the line and includes four characters from the new generation. It is a set we are currently waiting to restock, so if you are interested, let us know and we will reserve it for you for when it arrives. This kind of set works just as well as a toy as it does as a decorative piece on the shelf.

LEGO Friends versus City and DUPLO: which to choose

It is the eternal question at the counter. Our quick rule:

• DUPLO if your little one is under 4-5 years old. Big pieces, no choking risk and designed for small hands.
• Friends if they like role play, characters and building everyday-life settings (houses, shops, animals).
• City if they prefer vehicles, action, firefighters, police or car tracks.

Many families combine all three: Friends and City share scale and pieces, so Heartlake City and the LEGO City town end up living together on the same rug without any problem.

Tips for choosing the right gift

After many years recommending LEGO, these are the criteria that really matter:

• Look at the age, not the price. An expensive set that is too complex is a letdown; a simple, well-chosen one is a hit.
• Look at the theme, not just the brand. If they like animals, go for the vet clinic; if they are into science, the stargazing vehicle. Personal interest multiplies the hours of play.
• Start with a medium set. A set of €20-30 is the perfect balance between "gives plenty of play" and "doesn't overwhelm".
• Better more figures than more pieces. If you are unsure between two sets, go for the one with more characters and play accessories rather than the one with more filler pieces; the play afterwards is what makes a LEGO last months and not just an afternoon.
• Full compatibility. Everything you buy fits in with what they already have, even if it is from another LEGO line. There is no "wasted" purchase.
• Keep the box and the instructions for the first few weeks, in case you need to rebuild after the first time it gets taken apart.

Can I pay in instalments or order online?

Toys, including LEGO Friends, come with free delivery across Spain from €49.99 from our online shop. For larger orders you can pay in instalments with Klarna. And remember that you have 30 days for returns under our returns policy.

Why buy your LEGO Friends at Híper Ocio

Let us be clear: you can find LEGO Friends in many places. What we offer is what a long-established family shop can give you and an anonymous platform cannot. We are an official authorised LEGO retailer, so the product is always original and sealed. We are a shop in Albox (Almería) founded in 1923, now in its fourth generation with Antonio Martínez Rosado at the helm, and we are part of the Toy Planet chain.

That means real advice: if you tell us the child's age and what they like, we will tell you which set fits and which one doesn't, without selling you the most expensive one. It also means you can see it in the physical shop (Avenida 28 de Febrero s/n, Albox), reserve what is waiting for restock and count on us if any question comes up after the purchase. We do not promise things we do not deliver; we would rather you come back because you chose the right gift. If you would like us to advise you, you can write to us on WhatsApp at 623 04 44 20.

Frequently asked questions about LEGO Friends

From what age is LEGO Friends?

Most Friends sets are recommended from age 6, and there are more complete options for ages 8, 10 and 12. Each box shows the age; if in doubt, choose the lower band to avoid frustration.

Is LEGO Friends only for girls?

No. Although the look and themes are designed to appeal to an audience that other lines did not cover, building and role play are just as valid for any child. Since the 2023 relaunch the line includes male and female characters and a wide variety of themes.

Are Friends pieces compatible with the rest of LEGO?

Yes, 100%. The brick is identical to that of any LEGO line. Only the minidolls (slightly taller than classic minifigures) and the colour palette change.

Do old Friends sets work with the new characters?

Yes. Sets from before 2023 are fully compatible with the new ones. The lead characters change, but the bricks and accessories combine without any problem.

Which LEGO Friends set should I buy as a first one?

A medium set of €20-30 with a theme the child likes: the Heartlake Restaurant, the Vet Clinic or the Recycling Truck are safe bets that give plenty of play without overwhelming.

What is new in LEGO Friends in 2026?

The 2026 theme revolves around amusement parks and the outdoors: Ferris wheels, roller coasters, a grand Heartlake City hotel and new animals. In the shop we already have part of that wave, such as the Fun Day at the Water Park (42676) at €26.99.

Do you deliver LEGO across Spain?

Yes. Toys come with free delivery across Spain from €49.99. Unlike household appliances and televisions (which we only deliver in the Almanzora area, Levante Almeriense and Los Vélez), we send toys to the whole of mainland Spain.