I’ll admit that one of my very early thoughts on discovering my pregnancy with Baby T-T (after the initial “Oh my God!” and “WHOA! Schools cost HOW MUCH?!”) was “Hooray! This means I’ll legitimately get to play with Lego again!” There’s just something about those multicoloured, tactile little bricks that’s totally irresistible, impossible to put down and, yes, all-round awesome!

For Baby T-T’s third birthday in June, we decided to upgrade him from his beginner’s set of Duplo to a real “grown-up” set of Lego, and it was there that we got a wee bit confused. You see, this is not the same simple point-and-click stuff that we played with as kids: these days, there are near endless kits, motors and spares to be had featuring characters from Harry Potter to Han Solo and more colour combinations than the human brain can imagine. Gone are the days of my simple red and yellow house with a flowerpot, and you’ll now need to master the Death Star, the Taj Mahal or a full replica Rolls Royce engine to gain valuable parental brownie points come Christmas Day.

Fortunately for us, Baby T-T’s only wish was for a fire engine, and so we got searching. In doing so, we uncovered more Lego shops that we had realised existed in Hong Kong. Here are just a few of them – some we visited and some we didn’t – but if you know of others then please leave your comments below and I’ll keep updating this list!

AA Place — UPDATE JULY 2016. AA Place has closed its Lee Theatre Plaza store and is operating online, with a service centre (no retail) at Connaught Road West while they identify a new retail space. I’ll update this post with more info as soon as I have it!

AA Place recently relocated from its old home down in K-Town to a shiny new location in Lee Theatre Plaza, Causeway Bay. I went for a wander around and found the staff to be incredibly friendly and helpful, and the store to have plenty of choice of sets, from toddler-level Duplo to the super-techie Mindstorms range. Here you’ll find a VAST selection of individual pieces available to buy (perfect for those “Oh God the dog just ate a tiny hinge” moments), in every colour you can imagine. For $50, kids can come and hang out in the free play area for an hour with expert Lego supervisors on hand to help them create their masterpiece, available to buy at the end of the session. Another $50 gets you access to the minifigure museum, where you can gaze upon Lego characters from every movie franchise imaginable, and marvel at the different designs. They have self-serve coffee and a seating area just outside for weary parents, and can host birthday parties and events. Win.

Opening hours: Daily, 10am-10pm

NOW CLOSED 9/F Lee Theatre Plaza, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong; 2819 8866

www.aaplace.hk

One of the easiest options on this list, Bookazine stock a limited selection of sets across a number of ranges, including Duplo, Juniors, Classic, Creator, Disney Princess, Friends, Technic, City, Ninjago, Bionicle, Superheroes, Jurassic World, Minecraft and Star Wars. Their friendly service and convenient locations all over Hong Kong make this a good choice if you’re not looking for anything too technical.

www.bookazine.com.hk

A good option in Central is Bricks Canal, tucked away just off Queen’s Road Central (there is also a Tsuen Wan store for New Territories brick-thusiasts). With a comprehensive range of sets from Juniors to Mindstorms, technical bits and bobs, minifigures and other accessories, this is a good option that also offers online delivery via the website.

Central branch opening hours: Daily, 10.30am – 9pm
Shop D, G/F, 1 Wing Kut Street,Central, Hong Kong; 9835 8998

Tseun Wan branch opening hours: Daily, 12pm – 10pm
Unit A25,  G/F Tsuen Fung Centre, 138 – 168 Sai Lau Kok Road, Tsuen Wan, New Territories, Hong Kong; 9835 8998

www.brickscanal.com

Another Causeway Bay store that I visited in person to buy all Baby T-T’s birthday bricks was Brick Shop on Matheson Street (there’s also a Tsim Sha Tsui branch for Kowloon-siders). Tucked away inconspicuously on the first floor it was a pleasant surprise to see just how well-stocked this place is. I was looking for starter sets, along with Lego Juniors and City kits and this place had it all, along with the annoyingly girly and pink Friends line, System, Technic and a load of character sets too. You’ll also find a load of accessories here, such as the brick-shaped storage bins, watches and even a few non-Lego items too. I liked that the staff really knew their stuff here, offering me plenty of recommendations on the suitability of certain sets. Also, the prices for our haul worked out quite a bit cheaper than Toys R Us, for which I am thankful (as I can’t think of a more miserable shopping experience in Hong Kong. Not even Ikea). Recommended.

CWB branch opening hours: Daily, 12pm – 9.30pm

1/F, 12 Matheson Street, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong; 2882 1282

TST branch opening hours: Daily, 11.30am – 9pm

2/F, CKE Shopping Mall, 36 Nathan Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong; 2771 2226

www.brickshop.com.hk

Yet another Causeway Bay/TST option (seems that HK’s Lego lovers congregate in very specific spots!) is Brickstime at either Hysan Place or The One. This is apparently the only “official’ Lego chain in Hong Kong – whatever that means – and offers pre-ordering services for brick-nuts wanting to get their mitts on the latest limited edition kits before the rest of the rabble. They’ll also deliver purchases over $4000 for free. (Just IMAGINE that lot upended all over your living room floor… *shudder*). I haven’t visited in person, but this looks like one for the character fans, as the website proudly highlights its minifigures, from Indiana Jones to The Simpsons. There’s also a good selection of “lifestyle” products, such as key rings, along with storage.

Opening hours (both stores): Monday-Thursday 12pm-10pm; Friday 12pm-10.30pm; Weekends 11am-10.30pm;

CWB branch: Shop 419, 4/F Hysan Place, 500 Hennesey Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong; 3483 8048

TST branch: Shop 601, 6/F The One, 100 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong; 3483 8048

I was tipped off about In’s Point Mall in Yau Ma Tei by a friend with older kids, so apologies for the slightly sketchy details as I haven’t visited in person. This is a small mall, with lots of Lego stores offering good prices. She was able to uncover a limited edition Star Wars set that was cheaper than she’d been able to find online, however she did say that many of the shops seem to specialise in the seriously collectible stuff, so are possibly aimed more at adult enthusiasts than kids. Perhaps one for the serious builders.

Opening hours: Varies from shop to shop. Many don’t open until at least 5pm, but if you’re after a late-night brick fix this is your spot.

In’s Point Mall, 538-544 Nathan Road, Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon, Hong Kong

Let’s Go Shop sits on the first floor of a pretty nondescript commercial building in Mong Kok, and is one for the fan boys. It’s all about the limited edition here, and the feedback on the owner, Mr Cheuk, is that he knows his stuff. Prices seem reasonable, and there’s a selection of youngster-friendly City and Friends sets among the hardcore technical stuff.

Opening hours: Daily, 12pm-10pm

1/F Chip Lee Building, 180 Sai Yeung Choi Street South, Mong Kok, Kowloon, Hong Kong; 3597 3365

Perched right above the Mid-Levels escalator, Minigo Toys is a great Central alternative to the dreaded Toys ‘R Us. Prices are reasonable, the ranges are pretty comprehensive and the staff here are friendly and knowledgeable.

Opening hours: 11.30 am – 8pm

Room D, 3/F, Winning House, 10-16 Cochrane Street, Central, Hong Kong; 2808 2366

www.facebook.com/pages/Minigo-Toys/1459240680970369

Recommended by kind readers Shweta and Nicole via the HK Moms Facebook Group, My Fun House has two branches, one housed within the In’s Point Mall (see above), and another – where else but Causeway Bay! Browse the huge volume of Chima, Hero Factory and Creator sets in store or online. You can even pick up Lego-themed board games here for maximum brick-immersion!

Yau Ma Tei branch opening hours: Daily, 2pm-9pm
Shop 175, In’s Point Mall, 538-544 Nathan Road, Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon, Hong Kong; 6684 0074

Causeway Bay branch opening hours: Daily, 3pm-9pm
Shop 52-54, Red Mall, 501-515 Jaffe Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong; 6684 0074
www.myfunhouse.hk

Only For Fun has a comprehensive selection of themed sets, spare parts and cool add-ons like the new Bluetooth-enabled SBrick available either from their online store, or else in person at their Lai Chi Kok shop.

Opening hours: Daily, 11am – 8pm 
Room 14A, 5/F, Block B, Hong Kong Industrial Centre, 489-491 Castle Peak Road, Lai Chi Kok, Kowloon; 9030 9166

Tanoshi Land (from the Japanese word for “happy” – cute!) in Chai Wan is a good option for those living on the east of the Island and carry a full selection of Lego, Duplo, accessories (need another of those big green bases? They’ve got them here) and the Super Heroes lines. They accept cold hard cash only, so bring bucks or go home empty-handed.

Opening hours: These vary according to the owner’s fancy, so call ahead before travelling down for a visit.

Unit 183, G/F, Eastern Plaza, Koway Court, 111 Chai Wan Road, Chai Wan, Hong Kong; 9759 9380

www.tanoshiland.com

Troopers at KITEC’s EMAX in Kowloon Bay stocks a good range of Ninjago, City and collectible minifigures plus some very cool giant Star Wars sets that had Master T-T captivated. It’s also right next door to Bounce Inc. so you can combine your brick shopping with a bit of aerial fun.

Opening hours: Daily, 2pm–8pm

G/F, Unit G36, EMAX, KITEC, 1 Trademart Road, Kowloon Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong; 5561 8648

www.facebook.com/troopers313

Online

If pacing malls isn’t your thing, MinifigureNation is a specialist online minifigure store based here in the ‘Kong. Not only can you stock up on Lego minifigure minutiae to your heart’s content, including weapons, food, tools and a gazillion varieties of comedy headwear, but you can also make friends with other “Brickies” (is this a thing? I have literally just invented this nickname) via their various social media channels.

www.minifigurenation.com

Time For A Brick is another Hong Kong-based online Lego store that can source the newest lines, as well as out-of-stock or limited edition sets. Check out the Photos tab on their Facebook Page for all current stock and pricing.

www.facebook.com/TimeForABrick

Got any more favourites? Let me know in the comments section!