LEGO Mech Sets aren’t just another LEGO set for kids. They’re inspired by science fiction themes and Japanese robot anime, and inventing different kinds of mech from LEGO mech sets can keep everyone entertained and interacting for hours.
What Is a Mech?
A mech or mecha is a large, walking robot. In the first science fiction to include mechs, written in the 1800s by such authors as Jules Verne, they were steam-powered. Depending on the science fiction or anime world that inspired it, the mech may be controlled by remote control or by a pilot seated in a cockpit in the head or chest of the mech. In most science fiction and anime, the mech is an armored fighting machine equipped with a large arsenal of weapons. In some of these science fiction and anime worlds, though, mechs are put to a variety of non-military, day-to-day uses.
Benefits of Playing With LEGO Mech Kits
While much has been written about how children benefit from construction play and playing with LEGO sets, adults who play with LEGO kits benefit in the same ways as children and continue to benefit as they create increasingly complex models. Building mech with LEGO Mech Sets develops imagination, story and character creation skills, problem solving and logical thinking, mathematical abilities, engineering skills, the ability to work with spatial relationships, and attention to detail. Parents who talk with their children about building different kinds of mech and the LEGO world of which that mech might be a part improve both their and their children’s imagination and their ability to express the ideas that they have in their minds so that others can envision them and help to create the physical reality.
Reviews of The Best LEGO Mech Kits Available
LEGO Marvel Super Heroes Avengers: Infinity War The Hulkbuster Smash-Up 76104 Building Kit
This standard 375-piece kit contains everything you need to build the poseable Hulkbuster Mech. The kit includes four poseable mini figures – Bruce Banner, Proxima Midnight, Falcon, and an Outrider. Proxima Midnight comes with a spear, and all of these figures can hold items in their hands. These figures can ride in the cockpit that you build into the torso of the Hulkbuster. When you defeat Thanos and his Black Order and win the Infinity Stone, the Hulkbuster carries it in a compartment in the rear.
The Black Order is armed with a gun turret with a ball shooter, but turning a wheel on the Hulkbuster’s arm releases a bashing motion that helps you defeat the gun turret. The Infinity Stone and the gun turret come with this kit. The Hulkbuster stands 5 inches tall x 6 inches wide x 2 inches from front to back (14 centimeters x 16 centimeters x 7 centimeters) tall. The gun turret measures 3 inches high x 4 inches wide x 1 inch deep (8 centimeters x 11 centimeters x 5 centimeters). All of the LEGO Marvel Super Hero sets can be used with all other LEGO sets for creative building. This kit is recommended for girls and boys between the ages of 7 and 14. Small pieces represent a choking hazard for children 3 years of age and under.
LEGO NEXO KNIGHTS Tech Wizard Showdown 72004 Building Kit
The LEGO Nexo Knights Tech Wizard Showdown 506-piece set comes with poseable mini figures of Clay, InfectoByter, and CyberByter that can hold items such as Clay’s sword, his Combo NEXO power shield, a scythe, a battle axe or one of the three scannable shields. You have enough pieces to build Clay’s mech, a four-legged critter of your own design, and a buildable sword for Clay’s mech. The critter carries the Monstrox hologram character and two critter shooters. Clay’s poseable mech includes a cockpit inside the the torso, and it carries a six-stud rapid shooter and the buildable sword in its hands. Clay’s Merlok flyer attaches to the back of both his mech and his battle suit.
The Merlok flyer carries the Merlok 2.0 hologram character and has holders for Clay’s sword and shield. With this kit, Clay has everything he needs to collect the Seven Merlo Powers and save Knighton from the Monstrox and their digital infection. In his battlesuit, Clay stands 3 inches (9 centimeters) tall, but his mech stands over 9 inches (24 centimeters) high. The LEGO Nexo Knights Tech Wizard playset is meant for girls and boys between the ages of 8 and 14, and it’s compatible with all other LEGO building kits. Children age 3 and under could choke on the small pieces in the set if they swallow them.
LEGO DC Super Heroes Lex Luthor Mech Takedown 76097 Building Kit
The 406-piece LEGO DC Super Heroes Lex Luthor Mech Takedown Building Kit features Lex Luthor’s mech. The mech carries a six-stud rapid shooter and a buildable battle axe, and Luthor cleverly designed it with a cockpit that attaches to the outside of the torso so that it also functions as an escape pod. The poseable mech has moveable fingers and three attachment points where you can add collectible Energy Infusers. A buildable green Energy Infuser is included. The kit contains poseable figures of Luthor; his ally, Cheetah; and Justice League allies Wonder Woman, Batman in a Rebirth Batsuit, and Firestorm. Batman brings his Bat Glider into the battle, and he has equipped it with two stud shooters.
The kit also includes an assortment of orange Power Burst elements that you can use to customize the mini figures and buildable elements. Luther’s mech measures 7 inches tall x 4 inches wide x 1 inch from front to back (19 centimeters x 12 centimeters x 5 centimeters). The cockpit/escape pod measures over 2 inches high x 1 inch wide x 1 inch in depth (6 centimeters x 4 centimeters x 4 centimeters). The Bat Glider measures over 2 inches high x 4 inches wide by 1 inch in depth (6 centimeters x 12 centimeters x 4 centimeters). This kit can be used with any other LEGO build kit, but connecting it with the Superman and Krypto Team-up 76096 Building Kit provides more related elements for building plots and stories to act out. This building kit is designed for girls and boys between the ages of 7 and 14, but the small pieces are a choking hazard for children age 3 and under.
LEGO NINJAGO Lloyd’s Titan Mech 70676 Building Kit, New 2019
New for 2020, the 876-piece LEGO NINJAGO Lloyd’s Titan Mech Building Kit lets you and your kids recreate battles from the television show or role-play new conflicts in the Never Realm. The set includes poseable mini figures of Lloyd, Zane FS, Genereral Vex, and three of the General’s Blizzard Samurai – a Blizzard Warrior, a Blizzard Archer, and a Blizzard Sword Master. The set also includes the Scroll of Forbidden Spinjitzu weapon and a Zane FS Spinjitzu spinner toy that duplicates his ninja tornado fighting style. Lloyd’s poseable ninja Titan Mech has gripping hands and a mini figure cockpit in the torso. It carries a giant katana and a spinning shuriken slicer/shield, and it has an attachment point for a detachable flyer that functions as wings for the mech while attached. Lloyd’s flyer has its own cockpit, two shooters, and adjustable wings.
His Titan Mech measures 14 inches tall x 13 inches wide x 5 inches from front to back (37 centimeters x 35 centimeters x 15). The Instructions Plus app for tablets and smartphones not only provides instructions but also lets mech builders use ghost mode to visualize the mech they are creating, zoom in on a particular area, and rotate the mech. The guidance the app provides for young mech builders enables them to complete their creation more independently and with a greater sense of accomplishment. This building kit is compatible with all other LEGO building kits. The LEGO NINJAGO Lloyd’s Titan Mech Building Kit is for girls and boys from age 9 and older. Again, though, the small pieces contained in LEGO building kits make them a choking hazard for children age 3 and under.
LEGO Ninjago Movie Fire Mech 70615 Building Kit
The 944-piece LEGO NINJAGO Movie Fire Mech Building Kit includes poseable mini figures of Zane, the popular red ninja Kai, Henry, Lauren, Jelly, and Hammer Head. Kai’s poseable Fire Mech contains a mini figure cockpit in its torso. It has two shoulder disc shooters and carries two blasters in its hands that do not shoot but that have translucent flames emerging from the blaster’s fire points.
The fire blasters have hoses to the two fire tanks on the Fire Mech’s back. The tanks are marked with NINJAGO symbols. It also carries two samurai flags on its back. Zane is armed with his bow and arrow while Kai has his two katanas. Lauren carries an ice cream cone, and Henry has a popsicle. Jelly has his fish-zooka, and Hammer Head has his fish hammer. Kai’s Fire Mech measures more than 14 inches tall x 8 inches wide x 4 inches from front to back. This kit is designed for girls and boys ages 9 to 14, but the small pieces create a choking hazard for children age 3 and younger.
LEGO Ninjago Movie Quake Mech 70632 Building Set
The 1,202-piece LEGO NINJAGO Movie Quake Mech Building Set provides everything you need to build Cole’s Quake Mech and help him battle the Shark Army to save reporter Fred Finley. The poseable Quake Mech has a mini figure cockpit inside its torso. It has adjustable gripping fingers and carries fold-up “loudspeakers” on its shoulders that conceal four hidden launchers for eight “soundwave” flick missles. The Quake Mech transports itself on a large uni-wheel. The wheel has a stabilizer in the rear that keeps the mech sitting upright during play or for display.
The mini figures include Cole, Fred Finley, Mike the Spike, Crusher, and the first mini figure of Misako, who is Lloyd’s mother. Misako is armed with her bow and arrow. She wears a quiver for her arrow on her back. Cole has his hammer. Mike the Spike carries his fish spear, and Crusher has his fish sword. Fred even has his microphone. The Quake Mech measures over 12 inches tall x 11 inches wide x 6 inches from front to back (36 centimeters x 21 centimeters x 11 centimeters). The Quake Mech Building Kit can be combined with any other LEGO building kit. It’s meant for girls and boys from ages 9 to 14, but it does have small pieces that create a choking hazard for children age 3 and under.
LEGO Marvel Spider-Man: Spider Mech vs. Venom 76115 Building Kit
With the 604-piece LEGO Marvel Spider-Man Mech vs. Venom Mech building kit, your children can build both the posable Spider-Man mech and the posable Venom mech. The Spider-Man Mech has a web shooter, a gripping claw, and in the torso, the cockpit. The Venom Mech has gripping claws. Posable figures with hands that hold accessories in this set include Spider-man, Aunt May, Ghost, and Venom.
Accessories include assorted web elements and a hover board with stud shooters. The Spider Mech is 5 inches high x 4 inches wide x 1 inch from frontto back (14 centimeters x 11 centimeters x 4 centimeters). The Venom Mech is 8 inches tall x 7 inches wide x 3 inches from front to back (22 centimeters x 18 centimeters x 8 centimeters). The LEGO Marvel Spider-Man: Spider Mech vs. Venom Building Kit is intended for girls and boys ages 8 and older, and it is compatible with other LEGO builder sets. If they are swallowed, pieces in this play set are a choking hazard for children under 3 years old.
LEGO Jurassic World T. rex vs Dino-Mech Battle 75938 Building Set (716 Pieces)
In LEGO’s Jurassic World, children can build a posable Dino-Mech to battle a posable Jurassic T. rex. In addition, children can build a LEGO volcano that has an opening function to reveal a treasure chest. Posable figures of the Jurassic characters, Claire Dearing, Owen Grady, Danny Nedermeyer, and Vic Hoskins are included, and the figures can hold accessories. Four baby velociraptors — Blue, Charlie, Delta, and Echo — roam the play set. A boat, stud shooters, and a tranquilizer gun are among the accessories. The Dino-Mech stands 5 inches tall x 12 inches long x 5 inches wide (14 centimeters x 33 centimeters x 13 centimeters). The T. rex is 4 inches tall x 11 inches long x 2 inches wide (11 centimeters x 28 centimeters x6 centimeters). The volcano is 5 inches high x 7 inches wide x 5 inches deep (14 centimeters x 20 centimeters x 13 centimeters). The LEGO Jurassic World T. rex vs Dino-Mech Battle play set is compatible with other LEGO building sets and is intended for girls and boys age 8 and older. The set is not for children age 3 and under because the small pieces can be a choking hazard if swallowed.
LEGO Ninjago Movie Green Ninja Mech Dragon 70612 Building Kit
Created by Garmadon, the posable LEGO Ninjago Movie Green Ninja Mech Dragon has articulated snapping jaws, a wheel-activated swooshing tail with spikes, two hidden pop-out thrusters, and two leg-mounted stud shooters. Besides Garmadon, this set has posable figures that can hold accessories in their hands including ninja leader, Lloyd, Master Wu, and Beanie Guy. Accessories include the Green Ninja’s sword and Garmadon’s laser-style pointer. With this 544 piece set, children can build the Mech Dragon, and then, help the ninjas defeat the dragon and its creator, Garmadon. The Green Dragon is 5 inches high x 23 inches long x 4 inches wide. The set is intended for girls and boys from 8 to 14 years old. If swallowed, the small pieces can be choking hazards for children age 3 and under.
LEGO Ninjago Movie Garma Mecha Man 70613 Building Set
This LEGO Ninjago Movie Garma Mecha Man 747-piece building set provides the material to build a 13.9-inch tall posable Garma Mecha Man with a cockpit inside the torso. Garma Mecha Man was created by Garmadon. To battle this nemesis of Ninjago City, the LEGO Set includes poseable figures of Lloyd and Pat along with Great White and Garmadon. Lloyd and the other posable figures can hold the accessories that include a spring-loaded shark blaster, an ammo belt, and an ammo fish tank. Shark stickers are also included. The Garma Mecha Man stands 11 inches tall, has an arm span of 14.9 inches, and is 2.8 inches from front to back (30 centimeters x 14 centimeters x 9 centimeters). The LEGO Ninjago Movie Garma Mecha Man Movie Building Set is meant for girls and boy ages 12 and up. The pieces in this set are a choking hazard for children ages 3 and under if they swallow them.
The Basics of Building a Basic Mech
Mechs can look like tanks on legs, animals, insects, reptiles, lizards, or humans.
One mech builder recommends starting with the legs, as these provide support for whatever type of mech you build. To make it easy, you can skip the knees, but the knees can bend either way, like bird knees or human knees. The legs need to be strong enough to support the head, torso, cockpit, arms, and weapons or tools that your mech will carry.
Like the legs, the torso also needs to be strong. You can change the proportions to create humanoid mechs of different ages, but for a basic mech, the torso should be the same length as the legs. The head should be one-third the length of the torso, and the feet should be one-half the length of the head. The elbow should be positioned even with the midpoint of the torso with the wrist even with the groin.
The cockpit can be built attached to the outside of your torso, inside the torso, or inside the head of your mech, so either the head or the torso needs to be large enough to hold a mini figure. That will effect the overall proportions of your mech.
When building the torso of your mech, don’t forget to include places to attach the legs and arms or the hind legs and forelegs, as the case may be. You will also need attachment points for anywhere that you might want to add weapons, tools, or other accessories to your meck.
Attaching the arms and legs or all four legs to the torso is the next step.
If you haven’t built the torso around the cockpit and the mini figure, then the next step after you attach the arms and/or legs is to attach the cockpit and the weapons and/or tools your mech needs to the torso. The weapons and tools can go wherever you think they will work best for your mech and its pilot – on the back, arms, legs, or head.
Finally, your mech will need armor to protect it and its pilot as it fulfills its mission. Putting the armor around the cockpit, the torso, and the legs and arms gives your mech a bulkier, stronger look.
Mech Building Supplies Recommended by Mech Builders
Ball and socket hinges — for strength when building larger mechs.
Click-joint hinges.
Click-ball hinges.
Plate or brick hinges.
Technic hinges – for strength when building larger mechs, also called pins or Exo-Force hinges.
Pnemuatic-tbar hinges – for joints.
Travis bricks – especially good for smaller scale mechs.
Headlight bricks.
Brackets.
Ratchet hinges.
Mech builders recommend testing the joints and hinges when you are building a larger mech to make sure that they are strong enough to provide the needed support while also providing the flexibility to pose the mech.
Advanced Mech Building Tips
As mentioned above, changing the body proportions of humanoid mechs changes the apparent age of the mech. The human body proportions at different ages are as follows:
Infant – The torso should be one and three-fourths the length of the head and the legs should be one and one-fourth the length of the head. The torso is longer than the legs. The overall height of the mech should be four times the length of the head.
Ages one to two – The head should be one-half the length of the torso, and the torso and legs should be equal to each other. The overall height of the mech should be five times the length of the head.
Ages three to four – The head should be one-half the length of the torso. The feet should be one-half the length of the head, and the torso and legs should be equal to each other. The overall height of the mech should be five and one-half the length of the head.
Ages five to seven – The head should be one half the length of the torso and one-third the length of the legs. The legs are longer than the torso. The overall height of the mech should be six times the length of the head.
Ages 11 to 15 – The head should be one half the length of the torso and one-third the length of the legs. The legs are longer than the torso. The feet should be one-half the length of the head. The overall height of the mech should be six and one-half times the length of the head.
Adults – The head should be one third the length of the torso, and the feet should be one-half the length of the head. The torso and legs should be equal to each other. The overall height of the mech should be seven and one-half times the length of the head for a female mech and eight for a male.
To create a mech that duplicates the proportions used in fashion illustrations, the head should be one-third the length of the torso and one-fifth the length of the legs. The torso and legs are not equal, and the feet should equal the length of the head. The overall height of the mech should be
10 times the length of the head.
For figures created using either realistic or fashion proportions, the elbows fall at the center of the torso. The hands of an infant end at the crotch while in older figures the wrists end at the crotch.
Study photos of young animals to duplicate their proportions at different ages, but one thing to note is that very young animals like horses, deers, and giraffes that rely on running to escape predators are born with long, gangly legs.
When creating humanoid mechs, take a tip from puppet makers and avoid trying to go for a look that is too realistic. If you should want to create a mech that resembles a celebrity or a figure in the news, though, follow the lead of cartoonists and choose some notable and readily recognizable features to emphasize.
To be able to create mechs with the greatest range of motion, use double elbow and knee joints.
Starting with a LEGO Mech Kit provides instructions for building mechs for characters from movie and television shows. The connection to a favorite movie or television show provide an incentive that encourages children to finish building the kit in spite of difficulties and challenges. These kits reduce the frustration of figuring out how to build mechs from scratch while offering inspiration to you and your kids for designing your own mechs.