The Weirdness That Is LEGO Fabuland

A lot has been made about LEGO’s recent success with LEGO Friends, its product line targeted at girls which was introduced in early 2012. Before LEGO Friends, 90% of kids playing with LEGOs were boys, according to the company. Since the release of LEGO Friends, sales to girls have tripled. LEGO Friends toys are easily distinguished by their purple and teal bricks and skinnier and more realistically hued minifigures (i.e. not yellow).

But long before LEGO Friends, there was LEGO Fabuland. During its 10-year run in the 1980s, LEGO Fabuland featured anthropomorphic animal mini-figures with big eyes and over-sized heads. Fabuland characters were bigger than standard LEGO mini-figures but smaller than DUPLO figures. While the bricks were compatible with regular LEGO sets, Fabuland’s target age range (ages 4 to 8) was younger than standard LEGO but older than DUPLO (under 3 years).

Over two decades since they were last sold in stores, Fabuland toys are still sought after by collectors, prized by toy nostalgists and photographed by enthusiasts. And no wonder, too: Fabuland had talking animals… who worked at bakeries and gas stations. Sorry, LEGO Friends, you lose out there.

Check out the wonderful weirdness that is LEGO Fabuland (and don’t miss the ’80s Fabuland Edward and Friends clip at the end):

[Jemppu M @ Flickr]

Ricky Racoon and his Scooter (1980)

[poly-ester @ Flickr]

Service Station (1979)

[LegoFabuland @ Flickr]

[Sir Nadroj @ Flickr]

Merry-Go-Round (1986)

Cathy Cat’s Fun Park (1989)

[ansik @ Flickr]

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4 Comments

1. 

   Carol Rose

   October 20, 2017 at 2:51 pm

   I have about 8 sets of fabuland lego that I am looking to sell. they are complete with booklet story books for each set but unfortunately no boxes. could anyone help with sites I could sell them to, or would I be better holding on to them for a few yrs. Thanks in advance.

   Reply
2. 

   Toy Cents

   July 7, 2017 at 6:28 am

   awesome, I was wondering what those were called too!

   Reply
3. 

   Sally Dillon

   January 17, 2017 at 11:29 pm

   hello!!!! Finally after close to 40years (ssshhh!!!) I have found out the name of my fav toys I had as a child. I have a small collection compared to many people I’m sure. But I was wondering what is the best way to increase my collection? What are your fav sites for buying them? Is there any pitfalls to watch out for?

   Thankyou, this has made me smile! xxx

   Reply
   • 

     Linda B

     July 6, 2017 at 7:42 am

     Sally – go to bricklink.com — it’s amazing what you can find (lots of Fabuland stuff!)

     Reply