Locked in With Michael Savage in New Canaan, CT

When I first rediscovered my childhood LEGO collection gathering dust in my parents’ attic, I had no idea I was about to fall down a technicolor rabbit hole into one of the most vibrant and welcoming hobby communities on Earth. 

Welcome to the world of Adult Fans of LEGO (AFOLs), where master builders share techniques, collectors trade rare minifigures, and grown adults debate the merits of different brick separator tools with completely straight faces.

Oh, and if you’re just getting started on this plastic path, here’s a guide to the best ways to build your collection.

More Than Just Plastic Bricks

The first thing you notice when entering LEGO fan communities is that they completely shatter the stereotype of the solitary collector surrounded by towers of unopened sets. While we certainly have our fair share of pristine boxed collections (no judgment here!), the heart of the community lies in the connections we forge while sharing our passion.

Take Sarah, a mechanical engineer I met through our local LUG (LEGO User Group). She creates mind-bending Technic constructions that would make Rube Goldberg blush. 

Or Marcus, the history teacher who recreates obscure medieval battles brick by brick, complete with historically accurate minifigure weaponry. 

These aren’t just people who buy LEGO – they’re artists, storytellers, and innovators who happen to work in ABS plastic.

Finding Your Brick Family

The beautiful thing about LEGO communities is that there’s a niche for everyone:

  • LUGs: Local user groups are the backbone of the community. Monthly meetups often feature build challenges, trading sessions, and passionate debates about whether teal is really just dark turquoise (spoiler: it’s not).
  • Online Forums: From Eurobricks to r/lego, online communities never sleep. Need help identifying a mysterious piece at 3 AM? Someone in Australia will probably know exactly what set it’s from.
  • Conventions: BrickCon, BrickWorld, and other brick-celebrations are where the magic really happens. Picture thousands of AFOLs gasping in unison at the unveiling of a 50,000-piece spacecraft, and you’ll start to get the idea.

The Secret Language of Bricks

Like any good community, we’ve developed our own vocabulary. “MOC” (My Own Creation), “SNOT” (Studs Not On Top), and “BURP” (Big Ugly Rock Piece) might sound like nonsense to outsiders, but they’re essential terms in the LEGO lexicon. Learning these terms is like receiving a secret decoder ring to the community.

Beyond Building

What truly sets LEGO fan communities apart is their collaborative spirit. 

Need 500 transparent blue 1×1 rounds for your underwater scene? 

Someone will help you find them. 

Working on a massive collaborative city display? 

Dozens of builders will contribute their expertise. The LEGO community operates on a “rising tide lifts all boats” philosophy, where sharing knowledge and resources makes everyone’s builds better.

It’s also fun to get to know the financial side of collecting LEGO sets as – seriously – there is an art in investing in LEGOs.

The Dark Side (No, Not That One)

Of course, no community is perfect. We have our share of heated debates:

  • The eternal “LEGO vs. Legos” grammar war
  • Whether non-LEGO brand bricks are acceptable in MOCs
  • If the UCS Millennium Falcon is really worth that much money (it is)

But these passionate discussions only serve to highlight how much we care about our shared hobby.

Building the Future

As LEGO continues to expand its adult-focused sets and the community grows, it’s exciting to see new builders discover what many of us have known for years: LEGO is more than just a toy, and its fan communities are more than just collectors. We’re architects of imagination, keepers of creativity, and most importantly, friends who just happen to express ourselves through tiny plastic bricks.

So whether you’re a returning fan rediscovering your childhood passion or a curious newcomer wondering what all the fuss is about, know that there’s a place for you in the LEGO community. Just watch your step – those 2×2 plates hurt when you step on them, and trust me, you will step on them.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go organize my collection by color. Or maybe by piece type. Actually, let me check the forums to see what the current best practice is…

ABOUT SAVAGE OF NEW CANAAN, CT

Mike Savage from New Canaan is the Founder of 1-800Accountant that helps businesses with their accounting services and needs through cutting-edge technology and customer support. He runs the company alongside CEO Brendon Pack.

In his spare time, Savage enjoys creating unique koi ponds, collecting Michael Jordan sneakers, and admiring muscle cars and unique pop art. He and his wife also spearhead the Savage-Rivera foundation to help impoverished families in Honduras.