April kept things busy on BrickNerd as we traveled all over the LEGO world, from wandering the streets of Billund in microscale form to exploring sprawling model train layouts in the Netherlands. We also soared through aviation history aboard a magnificent DC-3 and blasted off for the Moon alongside Tintin’s iconic rocket just as real-world lunar exploration continues capturing imaginations once again. Back on Earth, we dug into post-apocalyptic Fallout storytelling, expanded a Ninjago blacksmith shop 15 years in the making, and reflected on the deeper question of why we build with LEGO in the first place. We also got hands-on with aging 9V train motors, found inspiration in unexpected photography mistakes, and celebrated all the wonderfully niche holidays AFOLs somehow manage to create for themselves. And of course, April wouldn’t be complete without causing a little chaos through our LEGO Unlimited April Fools joke. In fact, we published so many...

It may be time for some new contests – it’s May, after all. So here’s our contest calendar! There’s plenty on offer in our latest lineup of LEGO contests and challenges from across the AFOL community. May 2026 has a bit of everything to offer – and there’s nothing quite like a theme or a prompt to nudge you out of your comfort zone and push you to experiment building in ways you might not otherwise attempt. We’ve listed them in order of deadline so you can plan your building time wisely—especially in a month that always seems to fly by. Be sure to check the LEGO activity calendar for local challenges and events near you. Some of our fondest memories, proudest builds, coolest trophies, and strongest friendships started with a contest entry, so we hope you’ll jump in and give one (or two) a try. LEGO Ideas: Pokémon Trading Card Challenge -...

The LEGO Smart Brick. Like many of you who read our articles, I am a big fan of LEGO. I have always had a deep fascination with how intentionally and meticulously The LEGO Group’s products are designed. Over the course of my life, I have spent so many hours watching interviews with designers, reading books and LEGO fan magazines, and talking to any designers I have been fortunate enough to meet, enough that the time could probably be equivalent to that of a college degree. I have even made LEGO my career, as a Master Model Builder at LEGOLAND, a freelance LEGO commission artist, and a former employee of The LEGO Group at one of their many Brand Retail stores. Many fellow LEGO fans have called me a die-hard fanboy, as I love anything and everything that The LEGO Group does, no matter what it is. I cannot deny that statement—it...

The LEGO One Piece Season 2 sets release in August and pre-orders have been going since early April but there are some price changes for some of the sets since then. LEGO has silently increased the price on three of the seven upcoming sets. From the looks of it, prices have increased by $10 across the board. Since LEGO already started pre-orders for them, hopefully they will honor the old price but I doubt it. This isn’t the first time LEGO has done this. Last year, there were price increases for the LEGO Jurassic World Rebirth sets shortly after the official announcement. Showdown with Captain Smoker (75642) – 547 pieces/$59.99 $69.99 (16.67% increase) Battle at Drum Castle (75645) – 1,038 pieces/$99.99 $109.99 (10% increase) Garp’s Marine Battleship (75646) – 1,705 pieces/$169.99 $179.99 (5.9% increase) The post LEGO One Piece Season 2 Price Increases appeared first on The Brick Fan. Original linkOriginal...

We’re nearing the end of our reviews of the new LEGO Editions FIFA sets and the next one we’re checking out is Cristiano Ronaldo – Soccer Legend (43016). This set hs 854 pieces and retails for $79.99. Build The build mainly features a brick-built model of Cristiano Ronaldo. The main model I’ll be reviewing is the main one which is in his Siuuu celebration pose. The first part of the buid is for his torso which is actually two separate parts. The arms are on ball joints and the elbows have some swivel while the fingers are on clips. Ronaldo’s head is also on hinges and there’s only a little bit of movement back and forth. The head does have a printed face as well as his number 7 on the jersey. For the lower torso, it’s funny that LEGO used the modified hood panel for his abs. The legs are...