Mega Blocks or Legos?

[walkdmc]

Ugh, just when I thought I was done Christmas shopping for my kids, they just asked for some Mega Blocks Halo sets. I already spent enough money on them and didn't plan on getting one more thing but these sets are much cheaper than Legos so I can get one for each of them.

If anyone has experience with both, which is better? We know Legos so I'm wondering if Mega Blocks structures will stay together, are easy (w/o being too easy, KWIM?) to assemble and are playable? Legos set have those little features, like kitchens, windows that open, etc, that make them fun to play with.

Thanks!!

 

[*Seanaci*]

Get them. Mega blocks are just like Legos (and can be used with Legos) only cheaper. We have both Lego Duplos and Mega Block Duplos that we can't even tell which is which.

 

[Tinknalli]

Legos are so much better. In the past Mega Blocks had the Pirates of the Carribean sets and we got sucked in. We have since given them away. Legos stay together better and allow for more imagination. We had a set of Mega Blocks that made a large ship. If it were a Lego set you would build the ship out of numerous small pieces. With a Mega Blocks set the ship was contructed of a few large molded ship pieces held together by small pieces. They could only be used to build the ship, no imagination there. We also had some smaller Power Rangers Mega Blocks and the pieces did not fit togther well or once you had them together it was nearly impossible for a child to pull them apart. I would never buy Mega Blocks again.

 

[goofyredraider]

MegaBlocks are too hard to put together, keep together, and I've found they break easily.
Lego...all the way.

 

[Abbeys_mom]

Ugh, just when I thought I was done Christmas shopping for my kids, they just asked for some Mega Blocks Halo sets. I already spent enough money on them and didn't plan on getting one more thing but these sets are much cheaper than Legos so I can get one for each of them.



Thanks!!

So don't. Why should you go over budget when you had a plan and stuck to it? It's not like they aren't getting anything, you got them probably most of what they asked for, they will have stuff under the tree.

DD did this a few years ago, she asked for something a couple of day before Christmas. She did not even remember on Christmas morning, but later that day. I said you just got a ton of gifts, let's be grateful, and you can earn it with your salary. I think she was 5, and wanted a pillow pet. That kid earned it and she LOVES that thing. In fact, everything she has earned and paid for, she loves. Those toys seem to have more meaning. She gets gifts on Christmas and her birthday, but other than that, she pays for it. It really cut down on the "gimme's".

Although...when she was about four or so, she could quote the Rolling Stones (You can't always get what you want, but if you try sometime, you just might find you get what you neeeeeeeeed).

Good luck with your decision!

 

[walkdmc]

Thanks for the input everyone! I am almost tempted to get a set just to compare them for myself. I'm a secret Lego addict.

Abby, you speak the truth! DH and I were just talking about the fact that every year I go overboard for Christmas and the kids end up with so many things that they don't appreciate anything. I usually have to surpress the urge to freak out when they bring up that one thing "I really really wanted but didn't get" as they stand among $100's worth of great gifts. DH thinks I should just give them each about 4 gifts and be done. He told me to stash anything I already bought that's not one of those 4 gifts, for birthdays or gifts for others. (Where was he 2 months ago when I started shopping and asked for input?).

I'm finding Christmas hard this year. I got the decorating down and recipes for my Christmas meal planned but the presents for the kids is a thorn in my side. I think it's their ages and the fact that this is the first year my 10 yo knows the truth about Santa. It was easy to pass off oversights when Santa was the scapegoat.

I sound ridiculous. The kids should be glad for what they get, I know. Anyway, I'm just babbling now so I better stop.

 

[stsomewhere]

Legos are so much better

My son hates Mega blocks. Very hard to put together and block don't stay together. In the past he has used wood glue to hold some of the bigger pieces together.

 

[brdavis]

I'm a secret Lego addict.

Some of us are less secret about it. so far I've only helped write one book, and have worked on several LEGO conventions (as well as working internally with the LEGO group with the robotics stuff).

LEGO vs. Mega... as others have said, not really a comparison. LEGO is made to MUCH higher tolerances, with much more careful control of color. The result is that LEGO structures stay together well, fit well, and keep on fitting well. My DS (14) still uses LEGO I had when I was a kid... as do I .

LEGO is more expensive, no question. It's also well worth the expense.

--
Brian Davis

 

[honeydiane1953]

Although my kids r grown u have to stop at one point. Mine would ask for stuff on Christmas Eve lol. Having said that I would get Legos they can NOT be beat!!!

 

[lonegirl]

I have 3 sons, so we have thousands of legos in our home. This summer they earned money to buy halo mega blox, and they stink. Very frustrating to put together, the men (though they look cooler) have left their arms and legs all over the house...we put a ban on halo sets for Christmas, because they were such a waste of money. I wish Lego would catch on that young boys like military/undercover and do a cool line like Halo (we don't let the boys play the game, but they love setting up battle scenes).

 

[Eastern]

I have been buying Legos for about 14 years now and they are far superior to Megablocks. Megablocks fall apart and are just Frustrating. I can't believe anyone thinks they are equal to Legos

The extra price you pay for the Legos is so your kids can put them together by themselves, with minimal frustration.

 

[sksjasams]

I wish Lego would catch on that young boys like military/undercover and do a cool line like Halo (we don't let the boys play the game, but they love setting up battle scenes).

I agree with you that this theme is lacking in Legos. The Agents sets were cool but no longer made.

We found some Best-Lock sets at Target that are very, very inexpensive but they are a true military theme. My son bought a couple sets himself and he is getting a 1000 pc set for Christmas that I got for only $30! The quality is low though, hard to put together and sometimes missing pieces, but my son doesn't care because he likes the theme so much. He is older though (13) and has more patience.

That brings me to the Mega Bloks Halo sets. It really is the theme that they are drawn too. My son has also never played the game but loves the Mega Bloks Halo sets. The quality is not as good as lego (but better than Best-Lock), but that does not deter my son because the theme is so cool.

Like PP, my son loves setting up battle scenes. He loves the Mega Bloks Halo and they were at the top of his list this year.

 

[Greenepona]

Legos are so much better. In the past Mega Blocks had the Pirates of the Carribean sets and we got sucked in. We have since given them away. Legos stay together better and allow for more imagination. We had a set of Mega Blocks that made a large ship. If it were a Lego set you would build the ship out of numerous small pieces. With a Mega Blocks set the ship was contructed of a few large molded ship pieces held together by small pieces. They could only be used to build the ship, no imagination there. We also had some smaller Power Rangers Mega Blocks and the pieces did not fit togther well or once you had them together it was nearly impossible for a child to pull them apart. I would never buy Mega Blocks again.

I have this same set. I am just now putting all my LEGO sets back together after being moved, and I have to say that the mega blocks Black Pearl is really crappy looking next to my LEGO pieces. It was harder to put back together than my much larger more complicated Star wars ones, and it falls apart if you look at it funny.

As soon as I have the $$ It will be replaced with the LEGO Black Pearl.