Zen Lego Duplo Page

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Duplos

Duplos

Duplo (trademarked as DUPLO) is line of interlocking block by Lego.  Similar to design of regular Lego, Duplo bricks are twice the length, height and width of traditional Lego bricks (eight times the size in volume), as a result being easier to handle large enough to not be a choking hazard for younger children 1½ to 6 years old.  Despite their size, they are still compatible with traditional Lego bricks to some extent.

There is limited availability of Duplo minfigs, but the scale and design are perfect for younger folks.  They are small enough to have fun with, while large enough to allow for ease of play and to prevent the possibility of being swallowed.  They are similar in scale as Playmobil and just a little shorter.  Duplo minifigs are much more stable than Playmobil as they have wider "feet".  This makes them much less prone to knocking over when bumped and easier to stand them up with little fingers.  And when Duplos are used on Duplo baseplates or other Duplo platforms, the minifigs lock down like Lego which allows you to fly planes through the air, boats across rough water and trucks offroad without your minifigs falling over.

Unfortunately, the accessory options for Duplo minifigs are very limited.  But with a little creativity, you can create your own accessories or modify Playmobil ones to fit into the larger Duplo "hands".

Lego.com

Bricklink - The market place for anything Lego from a great many stores and collectors.

Lego Instructions

classic-castle.com  TriangularShields  - Shield Stickers

Custom Duplo Minifig Cloth Accessories

There aren't many cloth accessories for Duplo. There is a fur coat in one of the cavemen sets and a few dress up items in a theater set.

But if you are able to disassemble your minifigs or are very talented with doll clothing, you can make your own items.

mmcbcapes.servaus.net - several custom cloth accessories for regular Lego Minifigs.

Duplo Minifigs

Lego has been able to keep the price of minifigs quite high, which is very unfortunate.  As they are about the size of Playmobil, you may wish to just use Playmobil instead or with our Duplo creations.

But if you have access to Duplo minifigs, they have their merits.  The are more stable than Playmobil as Duplo minigs have large feet.  And if you are using your minfigs on animals, castles or ships, they more or less lock into the Duplo pegs.  This allows you to bump your castles or move your ships without every single miniature falling over as you would with Playmobil.  You are also able to build your own creations, which may not look as nice as a prefabricated German engineered toy, but is your own unique creation.

Those who are crafty can reconfigure your own minfigs. All you need is a metal pin or smooth side of a drill bit to push out the hip pin in your minfig.  Once removed, everything comes apart easily, except the head.  Use a set of needle nose pliers to close the inside of the neck and the head and hair/hat will separate from the torso and each other.  You can now reconfigure as you like.

If you are disassembling a lot of minifigs, you will want to special built tool for this process.  You can make a very simple tool from a large C-clamp, a proper sized Hex Bit, a small 1/4 socket and two part molding epoxy.  epoxy the Hex bit on the static side of the C-clamp so that it point to the centerline of the moving end of the C-clamp.  Epoxy on the 1/4" socket so the hole will center around the axle pin on your minifig.  Let it harden and this should allow you to press out the hinge pin with a few twists.

Duplo Inspiration

buildingexamples.com  lego-duplo

duplo.lego.com  Inspiration

legoeducation.us  preschoolActivities

Duplo Castles

Castles are just fun and Duplo had a great Castle line which allowed you to build some pretty impressive fortresses.

See our Duplo Castle Page for more information.

Duplo Pirates Line

Pirates are just so much fun for kids, little and big alike.  And as far as pirate toys go, Lego has some of the best playable ships around.  The Duplo minfigs are well designed and stick to their ships, even with a little rough play.  So unlike other pirate ship toys, where everything falls over as soon as you touch your ship, Lego ship can even crash into other boats and obstacles with the crew still ready to board another ship or hunt for treasure.

See our Duplo Pirate Ship Page for more information.

Lego Duplo Dinosaur Sets

Dinosaurs are just fun.  And whether their interactions with cavemen was actually historically correct, it's still a lot of fun!

See our Duplo Dinosaur Page for more information.

Zen's Known Sets - Lego Duplo:

093-1: Fun Playground

Here is a set that younger kids can relate to.  It is a fun set, but can distract from the ongoing medieval war and fire breathing dragon adjacent to this playground.

brickset.com/detail/?Set=3093-1

peeron.com/inv/sets/3093-1

4664-1: Fire Station

Fire truck, hoses, axe, cell phone and fireman pole.  Great fun to be had here.

peeron.com/inv/sets/4664-1

Fire Chief  5603-1

Here is a great red ATV that looks too real to be Duplo.

3588-1: Heavy Truck

The screwdriver has a torque limiter, so when your toddler decides to keep turning the screwdriver past the limits of the plastic screws, the screwdriver clicks and broken part are avoided.

peeron.com/inv/sets/3588-1

3297-1: Scoop and Lofty at the Building Yard

Here is a newer Bob set with new generation Bob (smooth contours).  Lofty comes with a hook.

peeron.com/inv/sets/3297-1

Instructions

3272-1: Scoop on the Road

Classic set for any Bob the Builder fan.

peeron.com/inv/sets/3272-1

3273-1: Bob, Lofty and the Mice

Classic set for any Bob the Builder fan.

3274-1: Bob and Muck Repair the Barn

Classic set for any Bob the Builder fan who wants more than just Scoop and Lofty.

3271-1: Bob's Workshop

You get a wheelbarrow and yet another Bob.

peeron.com/inv/sets/3271-1

7332-1: Dora and Boots at Play Park (2 Sets)

More playground stuff and Dora for Dora fans.  She also has a few animal friends which are great for diehard Dora fans.

peeron.com/inv/sets/7332-1

peeron.com/scans/7332-1/ Instructions

Instructions

DUPLO Dora The Explorer - Dora and Diego's Animal Adventure  7333

You get girl lion cub (actually a panther) and Diego.

Instructions

5946 Tigger's Expedition

Comes with articulating Tigger and Pigglet!  The canoe and fishing pole are fun.  You will need to get a Duplo fish to maximize fishing fun...unless you want to work on imagination. 

Instructions

Winnie the Pooh Sets

Not sure which ones I have, but have 2 classic Eeyores and 2 classic Poohs.

Possibly 2991-1: Winnie the Pooh Can

Lego Duplo Ville My First Train 5606

Kind of creepy.  There is a reason that Cosmo Cramer is afraid of clowns.

Farm 4975-1

Come with great ATV!

Instructions

DUPLO LEGO Ville Cement Mixer 4976

Road Sweeper Set 4978

Duplo Zoo

I have multiple sets, but not sure which ones in particular, as there were many.  Animals are great.  Kids love them.  Duplo Minifigs and other animals can visit, chase, pet, hunt, run from, swim with, ride and even eat them.  Most adult animals can carry a passenger or cargo.

Zen's inventory includes:

Know Owned Sets - Mega Bloks Mini

These are generally made in China for a Canadian Company.  They are generally much more realistically priced for toys and are made for a softer plastic that floats.  They unfortunately are lower quality than anything Lego and the pieces don't stick together as well.  Many of these sets have fun part that can really expand the depth of playtime and creations.

Mega Bloks Thomas Adventure on Misty Island

This is a fun set to put together, but the pieces don't hold together well and waddlers will easily cause it to fall apart when touched.  Many hotwheels car and Playmobil people will slide down the tracks as well.  The tracks can be incorporated into a giant Duplo fortress which allows of a fantastic downward looping train ride from hell while being strong enough to withstand most attacks from a waddler.

Instructions

Megabloks Mini Scoop'n Build Bucket classic (2 Sets)

Great starter set, especially if on clearance.

Instructions

Mega Bloks Mini Bloks Tub (200) (2 Sets)

This is a good way to start out with enough 2x4 bricks to start building stuff.

Mega Bloks Gas Corner (Mater)

Mega Bloks Luigi's Garage (Luigi)

Ok set if your child love Cars and know all the characters.

Mega Bloks Diego's Animal Rescue Center (2 Sets)

The Jungle headquarters, plank trail and jeep are awesome.  The slide for life is a little short, but with a little bit of string, you can have a lot of fun.  The Jeep hood can be added to one of the CAT vehicle bases below to create a really rugged monster 4x4 Jeep.

Mega Bloks Diego's African Safari 3025

This comes with a yellow Jeep, trailer, ATV and computer and makes noise.

Mega Bloks Diego's Buildable Underwater Rescue 3016

Mega Bloks Diego's Buildable Hawk Rescue 3039

Not a very impressive looking set, but has a cat and a bird.  Nice find at a garage sale.

Mega Bloks Go Diego Go! Baby Penguin Rescue (2 Sets)

The submarine can change into a plane and the snowmobile skids can be used as a snowboard.

Mega Bloks Diego's Rainforest Rescue

Mega Bloks Diego Land Water Rescue Vehicle 3048

Mega Bloks Dora's Buildable House

Great set if you want to build a play house, or love Dora.

amazon.com

Mega Bloks Dora's Buildable Playground Adventures

MEGA BLOKS Dora the Explorer 3045 Doras Pirate Adventure

Mega Bloks CAT Super Tower Crane 615

This thing it HUGE!  Good set for adjunct to other CAT toys.  Great for indoor or backyard construction site.

amazon.com/Mega-Bloks-Super-Tower-Crane/dp/B000EQGSVK/ref=cm_cr_pr_pb_i

parents-choice.org/product.cfm?product_id=21041

Instructions

Mega Bloks - Transport Station (634)

Portable set with two CAT vehicles and a storage box that cay be used for play.

Mega Bloks CAT - Front Loader 610

Must have for any Construction Play.

Instructions

Mega Bloks CAT - Dump Truck 609

MUST have.  Has dump bed.

Instructions

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