'My 4-year-old is obsessed with Duplo and this is her favourite set'

She may be old enough to move onto the next stage of LEGO, but my daughter still loves playing with Duplo - and there's one set in particular she can't get enough of.

We have a whole range of LEGO Duplo sets in our house - dating back to the 2018 LEGO Duplo My First Animal Brick Box all the way to the most recent addition, the LEGO Duplo Disney Princess Frozen Ice Castle Toy Set, which my daughter just loves playing with. However, step aside Elsa, as this set doesn’t trump the classic that is the horse stables.

Ah, the horse stables. The gift that keeps on giving. It’s a simple Duplo set officially known as the LEGO Duplo Horse Stable and Pony Care Set. If I remember correctly she got it last Christmas and hasn’t stopped playing with it since. She’s now even mastered the art of building it herself from scratch following the very crumpled instructions - and the smile on her face when she completes it is priceless. 

The set itself includes a boy and a girl Duplo figure, two horses, and a variety of accessories such as carrots, hay bails, brush, etc. as well as a set of stables to house both horses. With 65 pieces in total, it costs around £35 - which is pretty reasonable for Lego. It's an older model though, which could be why. 

LEGO Duplo Horse Stable and Pony Care Set - View at Amazon

Suitable for 2 years plus, this set includes interchangeable horse stables as well as a variety of horse-themed accessories so your little one can really take care of those Duplo ponies. Accessories include hay bails, water troughs, carrots, shovel, sweeping brush, and more.

Why my daughter loves the Lego Duplo Horse Stables set

There are two main reasons why my four-year-old loves this Duplo set. Firstly, she loves horses - and secondly, she can build it without any help or assistance. 

Now my daughter is very strong-willed, and very determined when she wants to build something, finish a drawing, or complete a task, without any help from her parents. Yes, she has had this toy for a year now - so, she’s had a good amount of practice, but this set is also really simple to make. 

The instructions are super clear and building one stable means you can repeat the same actions, using the same types of blocks for the second stable, and so on. It’s not a massive structure to build either. It’s a simple, yet effective design.

It also encourages her to use her imagination and my daughter has a great (slightly wild) imagination. It’s not just the included Duplo LEGO horses that visit these stables, oh no. We’ve had dinosaurs, farm animals, and Hot Wheels cars. Even Barbie made a guest appearance, although my daughter was slightly disappointed she couldn’t quite fit through the stable doors. She still left a 5-star review though. 

These blocks have been on holiday with us to a caravan and a couple of Airbnb houses, and we’ve only lost one item... yet.

Why I prefer Duplo to LEGO

Don’t get me wrong, LEGO is great as there are so many different options when it comes to what to build, make, and assemble - you can choose from Harry Potter LEGO to Star Wars LEGO to Disney LEGO the list goes on, we’ve just not made that jump officially yet and here are a few reasons why I’m glad we haven’t...

• Duplo is bigger: Sounds a bit daft but the Duplo LEGO blocks are so much bigger and easier to find, easier to clean, and easier to pick up (especially for those with stubby nails - referring to my husband here). And being bigger means you’re less likely to step on them… ouch.
• Safer for little ones: Of course, Duplo is made with little ones in mind but my two kids, despite being a tad older still put things in their mouths and nostrils (why, just why?!). It gives me peace of mind knowing that the blocks are much bigger and safer. I’ve even found this with our puppy. I still watch her like a hawk but if she was to grab a Duplo block and run I’d easily be able to get it out of her mouth. But with a small LEGO block, I wouldn't feel as confident.
• Super easy to clean: I mentioned this one briefly already, but they are super easy to clean which is great if you have messy children like mine.
• Durable: We’ve had our Duplo blocks for years now and they’ve been in the garden, in the paddling pool, in the bath, on the beach - and they still look how they did when we first bought them. Plus they’re easier to find than small LEGO pieces so we haven’t lost any in the sand or on holiday.

What’s in my Duplo LEGO box?

Alongside the Duplo horse stables, we have a few other sets in our toy box. My two kids have really enjoyed mixing and matching these sets for many years now - and still continue to play with them. 

LEGO Duplo My First Alphabet Brick Box - View at Amazon

A great starter set for little ones new to the Duplo world, this set features 34 pieces including four Duplo carts that all clip together to make a train. Each animal has an interactive element, so -  the giraffe's neck wobbles, the crocodile's mouth opens, the lion's face is a secret window/door and the elephant has a trunk that is a slide. A vibrant, fun set for toddlers.

LEGO Duplo Disney Princess Frozen Ice Castle Toy Set - View at Amazon

Frozen fans in the house? They are going to love this Disney Frozen castle complete with Elsa, Anna, and Olaf. Complete with snowflake-decorated windows and table and chairs, it also lights up with the touch of a button. This set features 59 pieces and is suitable for ages 2 years +.

LEGO Duplo My First Alphabet Truck - View at Amazon

Learn the ABCs with this vibrant stackable set complete with truck and trailer. This set includes two Duplo figures and a cute teddy bear. With 36 pieces, this set is suitable for ages 18 months +. Easy to stack, and easy to clean too. This set also comes with an A3 alphabet poster so children can match each letter block to the poster.

LEGO Duplo Jurassic World Dinosaur Nursery - View at John Lewis

For the dinosaur lovers in your family, I give you the Jurassic World Dinosaur Nursery; a cute little collection of baby dinosaurs and their carer. Dinosaurs include triceratops in a cave, pteranodon in a nest, and a mini brachiosaurus with a tree. Suitable for 2 years + this set includes 27 pieces.

LEGO Duplo Large Playground Brick Box - View at Amazon

Take your Duplo LEGO collection to the next level with this set of 71 Duplo LEGO pieces. From slide to swing to tree house, this set is a great one for really encouraging your child to use their imagination. Suitable for ages 24 months to 5 years according to Lego, however, my son still loves this set and is nearly 7-years-old. Comes with two Duplo figures.

Which is better - LEGO vs. Playmobil - our Family Editor, Steph Lowe, and her son Ted put them both to the test. And for those of you Christmas shopping, I give you a roundup of the top Christmas toys 2023 - which of course, includes LEGO.