First introduced as LEGO® Juniors before being rebranded as 4+, these easy-to-build sets are a great way to introduce younger builders to the world of LEGO play. The key features of the 4+ sets are unique Starter Bricks and printed elements. They also include simpler instructions, which break the build down into easier-to-follow steps. The summer wave of LEGO Friends includes two 4+ sets – a Beach Buggy and a Horse Training Stable. In an effort to get through my massive backlog of review sets, here’s a brief look at both of those sets.
41725: Beach Buggy
Set Name: Beach Buggy | Set Number: 41725 | Pieces: 61 | Theme: LEGO Friends
RRP: £8.99/$10.99/9.99€ | Number of Bags: Bags x 2 + loose elements | Instructions: Paper booklets x 1 + Builder App | Stickers: N/A| Characters: Liann, Zac & Dango
Availability: LEGO Stores, LEGO Online & General Retail
The smallest of the Friends 4+ sets is a small beach buggy. This uses a Starter Brick for the base of the car. The buggy also has a great printed 1×4 bow element, used to create the lights.
You can’t have a beach buggy with some beach and that’s represented by a small patch of water. As a 4+ this is very basic but does include a palm tree, wave and a tiny dolphin, which has only appeared in one other set.
The set includes two mini-dolls with Liann sorting a unique torso. Zac has a torso only used in one other set. They are both used by the awesomely named pooch, Dango, a unique dog figure only found in this set
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41746: Horse Training
Set Name: Horse Training | Set Number: 41746 | Pieces: 134 | Theme: Iconic
RRP: £24.99/$29.99/29.99€ | Number of Bags: Bags x 4 + loose elements | Instructions: Paper booklets x 1 + Builder App | Stickers: N/A | Characters: Aliya & Mia + horse & foal
Availability: LEGO Stores, LEGO Online & General Retail
The Horse Training Stable set is a much bigger 4+ set, which means it has a lot more detail. The build process is split across three instruction booklets. The Starter Brick for this set is the 8×16 green base plate, which is used to create the stable area. Although the unique isn’t as exciting as some of the other 4+ sets. It does have a couple of excellent printed elements. These include a wall in the stable, the stables sign and a chore wheel.
Along with the stable building, the sets also feature a couple of jumps and a large number of pink accessories. These include brushes, bows and other horse-care-related items. They are currently only found in this set.
There are two mini-dolls features in the set, with a familiar face making her second appearance in the new Friends sets. Mia is all grown up and after being one of the original Friends characters she now runs a horse stable. She’s joined by Aliya who is unique to this set. As a stable, you shouldn’t be too surprised to learn it includes some horses. There’s an adult horse and a foal, both have featured in one other set. The Friends animals are fun but nowhere near as good as the stand LEGO animals.
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