ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science

Home → Features → Culture → Culture & Society

Why Lego won’t ever make ‘realistic’ military-related toys

Because it doesn't think war is child's play.

Tibi PuiubyTibi Puiu
August 19, 2016 - Updated on May 9, 2023
in Culture & Society
A A
Edited and reviewed by Mihai Andrei
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterSubmit to Reddit
Credit: Lego Group
Credit: Lego Group

Lego is one of the biggest brands in commerce right now, with some claiming it’s more recognizable than Coca-Cola or Ferrari. Since its humble beginnings in 1932 when Lego was only a Danish carpentry workshop, the brand has expanded massively foremost thanks to the success of its Lego bricks and iconic yellow smiley-faced figurines.

And although the last two decades have been very tough financially for Lego, which almost faced bankruptcy, the toy maker remains a household name and is still popular with children despite the market has shifted massively towards digital games and entertainment.

What made it also appealing is that you can build almost anything with Lego, even some pretty cool science experiments. Previously, ZME Science covered a Lego-made nuclear spectrometer model, a worm-brain-controlled Lego robot, and even a Lego shuttle that was sent into Earth’s orbit. Certainly, much of Lego’s success lies in this versatility.

Over the decades, Lego has released all sorts of sets following themes like Dungeons and Dragons, Star Wars, firefighters, pirates, or historical Legos which feature Medival or Colonial era figurines.

While you’ll see a lot of spaceships and weaponry like swords or tiny 18th-century muskets, you will never see military-related Lego toys. Plastic toy soldiers have never gone out of fashion among grade schoolers, but despite the promise of good profits, Lego chooses to adhere to a strict internal policy Lego.

The Danish company firmly believes that war should be seen as child’s play.

In a 2010 Progress Report, the Lego Group explained its stance on toys and weapons on page 26.

RelatedPosts

Scientists chill LEGO bricks to nearly absolute zero
Collectible LEGO sets have an 11% annual yield. They’re a better investment than stocks, gold, or art
Lego is investing millions to ditch petroleum-based plastic
DNA ‘Lego’ bricks used to build 3D nano-objects

“Guideline for weapons and conflict in LEGO experiences”

A large number of LEGO mini figures use weapons and are – assumedly – regularly being charged by each others’ weapons as part of children’s role play. In the LEGO Group, we acknowledge that conflict in play is especially prevalent among 4-9-year-old boys. An inner drive and a need to experiment with their own aggressive feelings in order to learn about other people’s aggressions exist in most children. This, in turn, enables them to handle and recognize conflict in non-play scenarios. As such, the LEGO Group sees conflict play as perfectly acceptable, and an integral part of children’s development.

We also acknowledge children’s well-proven ability to tell play from reality. However, to make sure to maintain the right balance between play and conflict, we have adhered to a set of unwritten rules for several years. In 2010, we have formalized these rules in a guideline for the use of conflict and weapons in LEGO products. The basic aim is to avoid realistic weapons and military equipment that children may recognize from hot spots around the world and to refrain from showing violent or frightening situations when communicating about LEGO products. At the same time, the purpose is for the LEGO brand not to be associated with issues that glorify conflicts and unethical or harmful behavior.

“We have a strict policy regarding military models, and therefore, we do not produce tanks, helicopters, etc. While we always support the men and women who serve their country, we prefer to keep the play experiences we provide for children in the realm of fantasy.”

In the same year, Lego also set out rules and guidelines for the use of weapons in its products. The aim was to avoid any realistic weapons and military-themed equipment that children may recognize, as quoted above.

Tags: lego

ShareTweetShare
Tibi Puiu

Tibi Puiu

Tibi is a science journalist and co-founder of ZME Science. He writes mainly about emerging tech, physics, climate, and space. In his spare time, Tibi likes to make weird music on his computer and groom felines. He has a B.Sc in mechanical engineering and an M.Sc in renewable energy systems.

Related Posts

Environment

Lego, the World’s Largest (and Smallest) Tire Manufacturer, Makes a Major Eco-Friendly Upgrade

byRupendra Brahambhatt
2 months ago
Environment

Millions of LEGO pieces lost at sea 25 years ago are still washing up on the English coast

byTibi Puiu
2 years ago
Economics

Collectible LEGO sets have an 11% annual yield. They’re a better investment than stocks, gold, or art

byTibi Puiu
3 years ago
News

Scientists chill LEGO bricks to nearly absolute zero

byTibi Puiu
5 years ago

Recent news

Obsidian Artifacts Reveal a Hidden, Thriving Economy in the Aztec Empire

May 12, 2025
Picture by Tambako the Jaguar

3,700 Hours with Wild Chimps Reveal Evolutionary Roots of Attachment

May 12, 2025

Just five minutes of junk food advertising are enough to get kids eating more calories

May 12, 2025
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Editorial Policy
  • Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
  • How we review products
  • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Science News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Space
  • Future
  • Features
    • Natural Sciences
    • Physics
      • Matter and Energy
      • Quantum Mechanics
      • Thermodynamics
    • Chemistry
      • Periodic Table
      • Applied Chemistry
      • Materials
      • Physical Chemistry
    • Biology
      • Anatomy
      • Biochemistry
      • Ecology
      • Genetics
      • Microbiology
      • Plants and Fungi
    • Geology and Paleontology
      • Planet Earth
      • Earth Dynamics
      • Rocks and Minerals
      • Volcanoes
      • Dinosaurs
      • Fossils
    • Animals
      • Mammals
      • Birds
      • Fish
      • Amphibians
      • Reptiles
      • Invertebrates
      • Pets
      • Conservation
      • Animal facts
    • Climate and Weather
      • Climate change
      • Weather and atmosphere
    • Health
      • Drugs
      • Diseases and Conditions
      • Human Body
      • Mind and Brain
      • Food and Nutrition
      • Wellness
    • History and Humanities
      • Anthropology
      • Archaeology
      • History
      • Economics
      • People
      • Sociology
    • Space & Astronomy
      • The Solar System
      • Sun
      • The Moon
      • Planets
      • Asteroids, meteors & comets
      • Astronomy
      • Astrophysics
      • Cosmology
      • Exoplanets & Alien Life
      • Spaceflight and Exploration
    • Technology
      • Computer Science & IT
      • Engineering
      • Inventions
      • Sustainability
      • Renewable Energy
      • Green Living
    • Culture
    • Resources
  • Videos
  • Reviews
  • About Us
    • About
    • The Team
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Editorial policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.