For decades a Danish company known as Lego has exercised control over the toy industry through its flagship product: tiny modular building blocks. They are used as a source of creativity, a tool for engineering, displays on shelves and collections worth hundreds—even thousands of dollars. 

For several, this toy has grown into a serious hobby, and Lego’s global popularity reflects that same trend. According to the Lego Group, the company had double digit revenue growth in back to back years of 2024 and 2025. Fueled by growing production lines, a strategy dubbed “more is more” means sets are being released more frequently and being produced in greater quantities. 

With strategic allies in large intellectual properties such as “Star Wars” and “Harry Potter”, the success of the product at this point is almost completely guaranteed. At the school, students are avidly showing that Legos continue to capture imagination, and that the phenomenon is not just about nostalgia, but rather passion, innovation and for some, investments. 

The Collection

Senior Alex Zimmerman dates his Lego journey back to his early childhood. 

“My parents started buying me sets when I was six or seven, and I’ve been collecting ever since,” Zimmerman said. 

His first love was the countless Star Wars sets, however with age came more variety, and Zimmerman has seen his collection grow to include everything from a Battle Bus to the Statue of Liberty. The crown jewel of Zimmerman’s collection comes in the form of the Ewok Village, a set that amasses over 3,000 pieces.

“That’s probably the most valuable one I own,” Zimmerman said. 

According to the official Lego reselling store, Bricklink, a fresh unopened Ewok Village set comes between $500 to $700. Unlike some collectors, Zimmerman has chosen to build every box that comes his way.

“I open them all and build them,” Zimmerman said. “To me, the fun is in the building, not just keeping them in the box.”

As investing in Legos has become increasingly more expensive, Zimmerman notes the rising prices as an issue for those interested in joining the Lego world.

“Inflation is hitting Lego like everything else,” Zimmerman said.

Still, the senior cross country star’s shelf still remains stacked, and each build shows hours of focus and fond memories. His favorite memory? Building the Fortnite Battle Bus with his friends while watching “K-pop Demon Hunters,” a reminder that Legos can be used to build not just elaborate sets, but also lasting relationships.

Technical Difficulties 

For junior Hunter Phelps, Legos are used for more than just collectables: they are a challenge. 

“When I was younger, I always played with Legos because they let me create whatever I wanted,” Phelps said.

His first sets were Lego City builds, police cruisers and camper vans, although today he has been drawn more toward the Technic series, known for its intricate mechanics. His most ambitious build was the D11 Bulldozer, a 4,000 piece behemoth that took Phelps nearly a week to build.

“It really puts you through it,” Phelps said. “The pieces aren’t easy to put together, and I like the challenge.”

Unlike Zimmerman, Phelps has begun to leave sets in their boxes, simply because he is running out of space to display his creations. However, if space and money were not an issue, he already knows what he wants next.

“[I would] definitely [want] the Titanic or the DeLorean,” Phelps said. “Those are my dream sets”

For Phelps, the appeal of Lego is the memories they create.

“With Legos, you remember the struggles and the journey of building,” Phelps said. “I used to take sets apart and rebuild them, it gave me a bond with the pieces. That’s what makes them timeless.” 

Exorbitant Economics 

While some Hagerty students display their collections proudly, others like senior Derek Rojas have faced the cold truth about Lego’s rising prices.

“Legos have always been expensive, but this past year has gotten ridiculous,” Rojas said. “I’ve been priced out and turned to knockoffs of the same sets for a fraction of the price.”

Rojas’s dream set, the acclaimed “Lord of the Rings” Rivendell, is a build that is currently retailing for $499.99 on the official Lego website.

“It’s gigantic, with so much beautiful detail,” Rojas said. “Definitely a must have for fans of the movies.”

Rojas had to turn to a knockoff version of the set, a process that many fans who are interested in larger sets have come to know. Instead of $500, he managed to find one on AliExpress for $70, not including the $23 shipping. 

Ultimately, Rojas has been a fan since childhood, and his memory of building the 2010 Lukes Landspeeder still lingers in his mind. Today, his focus has shifted. 

“As a kid, I cared about minifigures,” Rojas said. “Now, it’s about the display and the presence of the models. I buy a set and built it the way it looks.” 

Legos in Robotics 

Robotics team member Ved Mahesh recognizes Legos as a bridge connecting play and professional engineering. The journey he embarked on began in middle school with Lego robotic kits. Now, he is a key member of Hagerty’s First Tech Challenge team.

“Sometimes Lego solutions are better than what we can jerryrig,” Mahesh said. “Last year we used tiny Lego wheels in our robot’s intake system, and they worked perfectly.”

Mahesh also mentors young students in the First Lego League, where kids can create Lego robots of all kinds to compete in tasked based challenges.

“Competitions push us to innovate and learn from other teams,” Mahesh said.

The lessons that Mahesh has learned from his experiences using Legos in robotics have influenced his career goals.

“I plan to go into the medical field,” Mahesh said. “Robotics showed me the importance of coding in every industry.”

Timeless builds

Going from shelves lined with “Star Wars” and “Harry Potter” sets to robots competing in competitive tournaments, students at the school demonstrate Lego’s universal appeal. They can be more than just plastic bricks–they can be tools for problem solving, memory making devices and even future careers.

As the Lego company reaps the monetary rewards, and continues to see revenues climb, students at the school understand that Legos remain timeless because they evolve with those who build them.

“With Legos, you don’t just build the set, you build the memories that come with it,” Phelps said.

Lego growth in numbers