Tested Nest Hub (2nd Gen

RUIN IT RIGHT The real-world Colosseum’s southern wall is shorter due to damage it’s taken over the years. The Lego model echoes this, so it looks nice and old.

Colosseum

R10 000 / 9036 pieces

Rome wasn’t built in a day, say smug people. The same is true for Lego’s Colosseum, unless you’re a real brick wizard, what with it having the largest Lego piece count to date.

Still, you’ll have reason to feel smug after working through its 60+ bags of parts, most of which are the same colour. Don’t tip them all into a massive bowl, then, unless you’re the type who enjoys doing huge Star Wars sets while lost in a sea of grey.

Gradually, you will begin to see the formation of a faithful take on an iconic Roman landmark designed to house 80,000 spectators. At times it’ll feel like you’re adding a piece for each of them as you diligently work through the 80 ‘ribs’, the intricate details and the many Doric, Ionic and Corinthian columns whose names you learned at school but had forgotten until just now.

And when you’re finally done building, you’ll have a masterpiece worthy of being hailed as one of the new seven wonders of your bedroom.

MORE ‘BIG KID’ BEAUTIES

Andy Warhol’s Marilyn Monroe

Drive yourself dotty plugging 2000 round pieces into a 48x48 grid… then squint a bit and the finished article resembles a piece of art. Buy four sets to display all the variants and it’ll cost almost as much as one. R2 500 (3341 pieces)

The White House

Now that the orange one has departed, you might feel more keen to build a mini take on one of the world’s most famous buildings. It splits in three for closer inspection, so you can easily check for discarded MAGA hats. R2 100 (1483 pieces)

MOTOR CACHE While building this monster you’ll put a lot of effort into the engine, which is then hidden away. Happily, you can prop up the cover to admire your handiwork.

6x6 Volvo Articulated Hauler

R5 000 / 2193 pieces

MORE TECHNIC TITANS

Volvo’s A60H articulated hauler is a beast… so its Technic incarnation follows suit, with a large piece count that demands you’re in it for the long haul. The completed design is a truly formidable vehicle – and one with more smarts than most.

This is apparent right from the start, as you work on a complex fully automated gearbox – a first for a Technic vehicle. There are motors and a Bluetooth hub integrated neatly into the build.

Yes, this is no Technic truck to manually ‘BRRRRMMM’ across the room and dump loads of bricks on the carpet where they’ll later be trodden on by unsuspecting feet. Instead, a light atop the cab can be used to connect the vehicle to your phone. You then use the Lego app to drive your A60H around and tip its load just where you want it.

And all the while, sound effects play, saving you the trouble of going “BEEP BEEP!” while your hauler backs up and everyone nearby looks at you as if you’ve gone a bit strange.

Lamborghini Sian FKP 37

If you’re less keen on tearing down buildings and prefer tearing up roads, this Lambo is the business. From the unique luxury packaging to the working eight-speed transmission, it’s sure to make your friends (lime) green with envy. R7 500 (3696 pieces)

Mobile Crane

Another serious piece of black and yellow plant, this one lets you steer to the right spot, secure the crane with outriggers, extend the telescopic arm and then smack yourself in the face with the pillar it’s holding. So try not to do that. R2 100 (1292 pieces)