How to Pack Legos for Moving

Moving Legos can be surprisingly nerve-wracking. Each piece, whether it’s part of a child’s favorite City set or a collector’s intricate Star Wars display, represents creativity and care. With so many tiny bricks and details, it’s easy to lose a piece or two during a long distance move.

For many people, Legos are more than toys. They’re weekend projects, family memories, and detailed works of art. The challenge is that those same pieces are small, countless, and often irreplaceable. Bags can tear, sets can separate, and even the most careful mover can end up missing that one rare piece that completes a favorite build.

At National Van Lines, we understand that moving is about more than boxes and furniture. It’s about preserving what matters most, right down to the smallest details… and that includes every last Lego. Whether you’re helping your kids pack up their favorite sets or relocating a collection that took years to build, the right strategy can make a big difference.

In this article, you’ll learn:

• How to sort and prepare Legos before you pack
• The best ways to protect loose bricks
• How to move large or assembled Lego sets safely
• What to do once your collection arrives

How do I prepare and sort my Legos before I start packing them for a long distance move? 

The first step to a stress-free Lego move is organization. Before anything goes in a box, sort your collection into categories that make sense for how you build or collect. 

Depending on who you are and the kind of collector you are, this will help you decide which path to take. For example, if you’re moving Legos for your kids, they might want the fun of reassembling the sets down the road at your new home. But if you’re an adult collector looking to display them right away, keeping them assembled might be the option. 

You can follow a simple three-step method to get started:

1. (For loose bricks) Sort: Separate pieces by color, size, or set. Builders with mixed bricks can also sort by function, like windows or wheels.
2. Clean: Dust or brush pieces gently to remove buildup before sealing them in bags.
3. Label: Mark each container clearly. Masking tape and a marker work well to identify sets or color groups.

If you’re disassembling any builds, take a few quick photos before you start. It will make reassembly much easier later, especially for large or intricate sets like the Hogwarts Castle or Millennium Falcon. You can even store instruction booklets in resealable bags or digital folders for safekeeping.

A little extra organization now saves hours of sorting once you unpack.

PSA: Lose some instruction manuals along the way? Lego has you covered! Head over to their building instructions hub, where you can find PDF manuals of nearly any set you can imagine. 

What are the best ways to pack loose Lego bricks? 

Say you’re the type of family or collector who would prefer to sort bricks by color or shape. This means you’ll be working with a lot of loose bricks, which are the most likely to scatter or get lost during a move. Keeping them contained and clearly labeled is the key.

Recommended packing supplies:

• Resealable plastic bags in various sizes
• Plastic bins with tight-fitting lids
• Painter’s tape or removable labels
• A permanent marker for clear labeling

Do not overfill bags. Smaller quantities are easier to manage and less likely to split open in transit. Label each bag by color, size, or set depending on what makes rebuilding easiest for you.

Once your bags are packed, place them inside a sturdy plastic bin for extra protection. Avoid cardboard boxes for smaller pieces since they can crush or tear.

For families, a simple labeling trick helps kids find their favorites fast. Write the set name and tape a small picture of it to the bag. It adds a visual cue and makes unpacking a little more fun.

How do I pack assembled Lego sets? 

If you’re a collector or someone who takes pride in full builds, you may want to move certain sets without taking them apart. This can work well as long as you secure each build properly.

Here’s a handy table to help you decide what to keep built, and what to take apart:

PRO-TIP: For collector favorites like Star Wars or Harry Potter sets, store rare minifigures or accessories separately in small labeled containers. Keeping them detached ensures they do not rattle loose or disappear in transit.

How do I safely move Lego boxes and bins of Lego pieces? 

Once your Lego bins are ready, think about how they’ll travel. Label every side clearly with “Legos – Do Not Tip” or “Top Load.” If you’re using a moving company, it’s easy for a mover to misjudge the weight of a small box, so clarity helps everyone.

Whether you’re loading your own truck or having a moving crew do the job, place Lego bins near the top of the moving truck to keep heavier furniture or boxes from pressing down on them. A stable temperature is ideal. While most bricks can handle a range of conditions, high heat can warp or discolor some pieces.

Lastly, don’t forget small add-ons like sorting trays, building plates, and manuals. Keeping them in a single, clearly marked tote makes setup faster after the move.

How do I manage and set up my Legos after I’m moved into my new space? 

Once you arrive, resist the urge to dump everything out at once. Start by opening one or two bins to get your space organized again.

Use your photos or lists to check that everything arrived safely. If you did lose a piece or two along the way, Lego has your back: Their Pick a Brick service can help you replace them easily.

For collectors, now might be a great time to upgrade your display setup. Clear acrylic display boxes make sets easy to admire while keeping dust and curious hands away.

Quick post-move checklist:

• Rebuild smaller sets first to make unpacking manageable
• Match pieces to your pre-move photos to confirm nothing is missing
• Organize instruction manuals in a binder or digital folder
• Store extra bags and bins neatly for future moves

If you expect to move again in the future, keep your labeled bags and bins organized year-round. Good systems make every move easier and protect your collection over time.

A Joy to Build, A Joy to Move

A Lego collection is more than plastic bricks. It’s creativity, patience, and memory in physical form. Whether you’re helping your kids pack up their first sets or moving a lifelong collection, careful preparation makes all the difference. National Van Lines has been helping families move what matters most for nearly 100 years, and we’ve assisted plenty of collectors along the way… including a variety of Lego collectors. We know that with a little organization and the right materials, all your bricks will arrive safe and sound. 

You’re a Lego collector, and you just learned about how to safely organize, pack and move your bricks to a new location. But, what if you’ve got other collectibles to pack and move? Learn more in our article about toy storage tips for long distance moving.