But some of those bricks, or collections of them at least, are worth considerably more than others.
If you’re a child of the 80s and you held onto your old Lego set, it could earn you a small fortune today.
BrickEconomy.com lists the most valuable Lego sets out of those released each year during the 1980s.
One is worth more than £7,400 today, while another has seen its value soar by a staggering 19,100% since it first went on sale 38 years ago for £15.79.
To put that into perspective, according to the Bank of England’s inflation tracker, £1 in 1980 would be worth £4.35 today, making Lego a considerably better investment than putting your money in a bank.
Below are the most valuable Lego sets from each year in the 80s, including castles, spaceships and motorised trains.
The prices we’ve listed are for unopened sets in as-new condition. But even if yours has been well-loved, it could still fetch a tidy sum.
Do you own any of these Lego sets? You might also be interested in our round-up of the most valuable Lego minfigures ever made.
1. 1980: Electric Goods Train
The Electric Goods Train is the most valuable Lego set today out of all those released in 1980. The 512-piece motorised set with two minifigures, is worth an estimated £4,499, according to BrickEconomy. That represents a 5,596% increase on its original retail price of £78.99. | BrickEconomy/Lego Photo: BrickEconomy/Lego
2. 1981: LEGO 6075-2 Castle
The LEGO 6075-2 Castle is the most valuable Lego set today out of all those released in 1981. The 767-piece set, with 14 minifigures, including four knights on horses, is estimated by BrickEconomy to be worth £6,662. That represents a 1,7469% increase on its original retail price of £37.92. | BrickEconomy/Lego Photo: BrickEconomy/Lego
3. 1982: Dacta Town Little People
Dacta Town Little People with Accessories is the most valuable Lego set today out of all those released in 1982, according to BrickEconomy. The 174-piece set, with 36 minifigures, including police officers, firefighters and doctors, is worth an estimated £2,465. That represents a 15,543% increase on its original £15.76 retail price. | BrickEconomy/Lego Photo: BrickEconomy/Lego
4. 1983: Galaxy Commander
LEGO 6980 Galaxy Commander is the most valuable Lego set today out of all those released in 1983, according to BrickEconomy. The 443-piece set, including a large spaceship, a landing pad, two ground vehicles and five astronauts, is estimated to be worth £2,151. That represents a 4,438% increase on its original £47.39 retail price. | BrickEconomy/Lego Photo: BrickEconomy/Lego