Answers.Body: <p>I believe it shows the target age range of the model - perhaps kids who've been doing all the harder Technic or more complex models - for example the <a href="http://shop.lego.com/en-GB/Volkswagen-T1-Camper-Van-10220" rel="noreferrer">VW Camper Van</a> <em>is</em> rated 16+ - and might find it a bit "simplistic".</p>
  
  <p><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/1v2QQ.png" alt="VW Camper Van 16+"></p>
  
  <p>Other examples include The Super Star Destroyer, also at 16+, the Tantive IV and Republic Drop Ship at 14+, and the Death Star and others at 12+:</p>
  
  <p><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/xtnYj.png" alt="Death Star 12+"></p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2011-12-04T16:23:06.480Z
Answers.Text: Is this the model with the highest minimum age?
Answers.UserDisplayName: DaG
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2011-12-04T19:53:14.240Z
Answers.Text: Well, I think it's the highest minimum age LEGO do - The Ultimate Collectors Edition Millennium Falcon was also a 16+, as does the Super Star Destroyer (http://shop.lego.com/en-GB/Super-Star-Destroyer-10221)
Answers.UserDisplayName: Zhaph - Ben Duguid
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2011-12-07T15:02:09.543Z
Answers.Text: I seen toy stores with toys arranged by age group, like 0-1, 1-3, 3-5, etc, etc. It's really embarrassing for clueless adults, like me, to buy a gift for a 1 year old and give it to a 5 year old kid. I presume LEGO is doing the same.
Answers.UserDisplayName: Pablo Fernandez
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2011-12-07T15:10:15.563Z
Answers.Text: @J.PabloFernández That's probably part of the reasoning for sure :)
Answers.UserDisplayName: Zhaph - Ben Duguid
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2016-12-25T05:07:43.773Z
Answers.Text: This doesn't answer, or even address, the question of why there's a MAXIMUM age limit.
Answers.UserDisplayName: Móż
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2016-12-25T09:05:16.607Z
Answers.Text: The first sentence reads: "it shows the target age range of the model". The question is both "why are there maximum age ranges" and " why not just write 8+". My answer covers both parts. I could probably rework that first part to make it clearer.
Answers.UserDisplayName: Zhaph - Ben Duguid
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2016-12-25T22:10:31.880Z
Answers.Text: @J.PabloFernández: And Lego was really included in that ordering, too? At least where I live, even when "random" other toys are ordered like that, Lego is always grouped with Lego, and these one or more Lego shelves, boxes are either grouped by geometrical size or by theme.
Answers.UserDisplayName: O. R. Mapper
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2020-08-22T05:26:12.453Z
Answers.Text: @DaG the new lego piano set has an age of 18+ which I think is a tad extreme because the build doesn't seem so difficult to require an adult to assemble.
Answers.UserDisplayName: qwr
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2020-08-24T09:59:46.893Z
Answers.Text: That's part of the new "Adults Welcome" range though. The piano, like the LEGO Star Wars Helmets are more of a display piece than a play set.
Answers.UserDisplayName: Zhaph - Ben Duguid
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2011-11-21T11:13:02.237Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2011-12-05T22:55:21.300Z
Answers.LastEditDate: 2011-12-05T22:55:21.300Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: Zhaph - Ben Duguid
Answers.Body: <p>It is an indication for the target audience for that set. It is mostly to guide people with little knowledge about child development toward a set. It's a rough guide, how much the child enjoys it is very much dependent on the child. But 10 year olds will be less likely to enjoy Duplo and be happier with Star Wars LEGO.</p>
  
  <p>On the other hand, I really like building with Duplo especially with my nephew, or when my son is destroying my creations.</p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2011-12-08T07:24:19.070Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2011-12-08T14:20:17.610Z
Answers.LastEditDate: 2011-12-08T14:20:17.610Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: refro
Answers.Body: <blockquote>
    <p>I have a memory - possibly false - of Lego boxes being labeled with
    ages like "8-99" in my childhood. </p>
    
    <p>– Joe Wreschnig</p>
  </blockquote>
  
  <p>That's correct. The Creator theme used to mark sets aged X to 99. </p>
  
  <p>I think the LEGO marketing team were going along with the idea that you're never too old to play with Lego. The Creator product line produced brick buckets and tubs that became popular with people wanting to expand their collection or pick up from when they last played with LEGO as a child.</p>
  
  <p><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/hpyee.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></p>
  
  <p>Todays brick buckets and tubs are marketed towards children aged 4+, which I'm sure would make LEGO hundred year old fan's happier.</p>
  
  <p>The only age recommendation that should be taken seriously are the 3+ years choking hazard warnings on most LEGO sets. LEGO bricks in the Duplo or Quatro range may not have this warning as the parts are designed to be safe for younger childern.</p>
  
  <p>Aside from that, the age range of a set should not be taken overly seriously but as a rough guide. A set with a higher age band tends to be a more complicated or challenging build.</p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2011-12-05T17:55:54.207Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2018-05-14T08:54:18.087Z
Answers.LastEditDate: 2018-05-14T08:54:18.087Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: Ambo100
Answers.Body: <p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/sOGdJ.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/sOGdJ.png" alt="enter image description here" /></a></p>
  <blockquote>
  <p>The Man Upstairs : You know the rules, this isn't a toy!</p>
  <p>Finn : Um... it kind of is.</p>
  <p>The Man Upstairs : No, actually it's a highly sophisticated
  inter-locking brick system.</p>
  <p>Finn : But we bought it at the toy store.</p>
  <p>The Man Upstairs : We did, but the way I'm using it makes it an adult
  thing.</p>
  <p>Finn : The box for this one said &quot;Ages 8 to 14&quot;!</p>
  <p>The Man Upstairs : That's a suggestion. They have to put that on
  there.</p>
  </blockquote>
  <p><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1490017/characters/nm0002071" rel="nofollow noreferrer">- The Lego Movie (2014)</a></p>
  <hr />
  <p>The age range really is a suggestion of the target range. Simplistic sets with simpler building, bright colors, and fewer pieces tend to have lower age ranges, while more complicated sets that may have over one thousand pieces, feature less color (ex. some Lego Architecture sets), and require more time and manual dexterity may be rated for higher age ranges. I'm pretty sure I could assemble harder sets when I was 12 but it was going to be a multi-day build because I didn't have the focus to work on a set for three hours and I would probably lose the little pieces. Keep in mind, as said in other answers, the age ranges are sometimes inconsistent of difficulty.</p>
  <p>Of course, no one is stopping you from enjoying an ages 8-14 Lego set. I think older builders may even notice and appreciate the finer details and design that went into it more than a child who just wants to play with the ship.</p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2020-08-22T05:32:51.333Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2020-08-22T05:32:51.333Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: qwr
Answers.Body: <p>There is a age limit because some sets are more advanced than others, and they contain some pieces(choking hazard).  </p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2016-08-23T11:59:58.137Z
Answers.Text: Question is about **maximum age limit**. I'm pretty sure that people over 14 (as mentioned in the question) won't try to ingest their LEGO. ;)
Answers.UserDisplayName: A.L
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2016-12-25T23:21:14.110Z
Answers.Text: Maybe they are feared to try to smoke or sniff it.
Answers.UserDisplayName: Pere
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2015-11-10T22:50:12.070Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2015-11-10T22:50:12.070Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: Samuel L.
Body: <p>I am wondering why do LEGO boxes have a maximum age limit printed on them?</p>
  
  <p>My girlfriend has just gifted me LEGO Starfighter (8088) and it has an age range of 8-14. Why not just write 8+? Are there any technical objective reasons?</p>
  
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2011-11-22T08:50:23.657Z
Comments.Text: @Joe Wreschnig: I've seen those too!
Comments.UserDisplayName: LegoSonicBoy
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2020-04-11T12:58:34.663Z
Comments.Text: Were you by chance a Star Wars fan and well over 14, and a bit offended to be told this is for children?  Don't worry.  There is no age limit for that.
Comments.UserDisplayName: Florian F
Tags: <lego-group><packaging>
Title: Why do LEGO boxes have a maximum age limit?
UserDisplayName: Drake
ThreadText: # Why do LEGO boxes have a maximum age limit?
  
  (Asked by: username_0 on 2011-11-21)
  
  I am wondering why do LEGO boxes have a maximum age limit printed on them?
  
  My girlfriend has just gifted me LEGO Starfighter (8088) and it has an age range of 8-14. Why not just write 8+? Are there any technical objective reasons?
  
  **Tags:** lego-group, packaging
  
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_1**: @Joe Wreschnig: I've seen those too!  
  > **username_2**: Were you by chance a Star Wars fan and well over 14, and a bit offended to be told this is for children?  Don't worry.  There is no age limit for that.  
  
  ---
  
  ## 5 answers
  
  ### Answer by username_3 on 2011-11-21. Score: 25 | Accepted answer
  
  I believe it shows the target age range of the model - perhaps kids who've been doing all the harder Technic or more complex models - for example the [VW Camper Van](http://shop.lego.com/en-GB/Volkswagen-T1-Camper-Van-10220) *is* rated 16+ - and might find it a bit "simplistic".
  
  ![VW Camper Van 16+](https://i.sstatic.net/1v2QQ.png)
  
  Other examples include The Super Star Destroyer, also at 16+, the Tantive IV and Republic Drop Ship at 14+, and the Death Star and others at 12+:
  
  ![Death Star 12+](https://i.sstatic.net/xtnYj.png)
  
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_4**: Is this the model with the highest minimum age?  
  > **username_3**: Well, I think it's the highest minimum age LEGO do - The Ultimate Collectors Edition Millennium Falcon was also a 16+, as does the Super Star Destroyer (http://shop.lego.com/en-GB/Super-Star-Destroyer-10221)  
  > **username_5**: I seen toy stores with toys arranged by age group, like 0-1, 1-3, 3-5, etc, etc. It's really embarrassing for clueless adults, like me, to buy a gift for a 1 year old and give it to a 5 year old kid. I presume LEGO is doing the same.  
  > **username_3**: @J.PabloFernández That's probably part of the reasoning for sure :)  
  > **username_6**: This doesn't answer, or even address, the question of why there's a MAXIMUM age limit.  
  > **username_3**: The first sentence reads: "it shows the target age range of the model". The question is both "why are there maximum age ranges" and " why not just write 8+". My answer covers both parts. I could probably rework that first part to make it clearer.  
  > **username_7**: @J.PabloFernández: And Lego was really included in that ordering, too? At least where I live, even when "random" other toys are ordered like that, Lego is always grouped with Lego, and these one or more Lego shelves, boxes are either grouped by geometrical size or by theme.  
  > **username_8**: @username_4 the new lego piano set has an age of 18+ which I think is a tad extreme because the build doesn't seem so difficult to require an adult to assemble.  
  > **username_3**: That's part of the new "Adults Welcome" range though. The piano, like the LEGO Star Wars Helmets are more of a display piece than a play set.  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_10 on 2011-12-05. Score: 23
  
  > I have a memory - possibly false - of Lego boxes being labeled with
  > ages like "8-99" in my childhood.
  >
  > – Joe Wreschnig
  
  That's correct. The Creator theme used to mark sets aged X to 99.
  
  I think the LEGO marketing team were going along with the idea that you're never too old to play with Lego. The Creator product line produced brick buckets and tubs that became popular with people wanting to expand their collection or pick up from when they last played with LEGO as a child.
  
  ![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/hpyee.jpg)
  
  Todays brick buckets and tubs are marketed towards children aged 4+, which I'm sure would make LEGO hundred year old fan's happier.
  
  The only age recommendation that should be taken seriously are the 3+ years choking hazard warnings on most LEGO sets. LEGO bricks in the Duplo or Quatro range may not have this warning as the parts are designed to be safe for younger childern.
  
  Aside from that, the age range of a set should not be taken overly seriously but as a rough guide. A set with a higher age band tends to be a more complicated or challenging build.
  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_9 on 2011-12-08. Score: 9
  
  It is an indication for the target audience for that set. It is mostly to guide people with little knowledge about child development toward a set. It's a rough guide, how much the child enjoys it is very much dependent on the child. But 10 year olds will be less likely to enjoy Duplo and be happier with Star Wars LEGO.
  
  On the other hand, I really like building with Duplo especially with my nephew, or when my son is destroying my creations.
  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_8 on 2020-08-22. Score: 0
  
  [![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/sOGdJ.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/sOGdJ.png)
  
  > The Man Upstairs : You know the rules, this isn't a toy!
  >
  > Finn : Um... it kind of is.
  >
  > The Man Upstairs : No, actually it's a highly sophisticated
  > inter-locking brick system.
  >
  > Finn : But we bought it at the toy store.
  >
  > The Man Upstairs : We did, but the way I'm using it makes it an adult
  > thing.
  >
  > Finn : The box for this one said "Ages 8 to 14"!
  >
  > The Man Upstairs : That's a suggestion. They have to put that on
  > there.
  
  [- The Lego Movie (2014)](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1490017/characters/nm0002071)
  
  ---
  
  The age range really is a suggestion of the target range. Simplistic sets with simpler building, bright colors, and fewer pieces tend to have lower age ranges, while more complicated sets that may have over one thousand pieces, feature less color (ex. some Lego Architecture sets), and require more time and manual dexterity may be rated for higher age ranges. I'm pretty sure I could assemble harder sets when I was 12 but it was going to be a multi-day build because I didn't have the focus to work on a set for three hours and I would probably lose the little pieces. Keep in mind, as said in other answers, the age ranges are sometimes inconsistent of difficulty.
  
  Of course, no one is stopping you from enjoying an ages 8-14 Lego set. I think older builders may even notice and appreciate the finer details and design that went into it more than a child who just wants to play with the ship.
  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_11 on 2015-11-10. Score: -5
  
  There is a age limit because some sets are more advanced than others, and they contain some pieces(choking hazard).
  
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_12**: Question is about **maximum age limit**. I'm pretty sure that people over 14 (as mentioned in the question) won't try to ingest their LEGO. ;)  
  > **username_13**: Maybe they are feared to try to smoke or sniff it.  
  
  ---
  
  