Heartlake City has even bigger HEART, now! The LEGO Friends Universe is expanding to reflect more diverse LEGO characters celebrating physical and emotional traits never seen before. New for 2023, there will be a whole bunch of new LEGO sets to explore as well further unifying this innovative way to connect with LEGO on a deeper level, and pairing with the new toy releases is also a 44-minute special episode of the LEGO Friends content series on the LEGO YouTube channel. There will be additional episodes going live on the channel from February to May 2023.
Do you have a child that struggles with OCD and anxiety? I do! Do you have a child that has ADHD and sensory processing disorder? My nephew does! Do you know someone with Down Syndrome? I do! My aunt has Down Syndrome!
You may or may not have a loved one with physical or emotional differences from societal "norms," but wouldn't it be a beautiful scene to just have some LEGO Friends diversity? Whatever the case may be, LEGO Friends Universe is on a mission for more representation, especially for fans of LEGO with anxiety struggles, limb differences, neurodivergence, Down Syndrome, vitiligo, and ADHD. Plus, there will be more diverse cultures across all of the LEGO Friends that have not been introduced before, so expect to see more surprises for LEGO Friends Universe.
In addition to new LEGO sets and LEGO Friends, there is also a YouTube channel pairing storytelling about the characters and their interactions with daily life.
I feel like children with anxiety or ADHD, or another “invisible” trait will find these stories very relatable. My nine-year-old son was diagnosed with PANDAS, which is just cute a acronym for Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Streptococcal infections. When my son has a flare up of Strep A infection (this happens more than you know!), the infection attacks the Basil Ganglia of his brain. Thus spawning a cycle of severe anxiety, and obsessive compulsive disorder tendencies. Children don’t see that my son suffers or is mentally off balance during these episodes, so they are quick to judge him when he has to take extra steps to overcome an OCD/Anxiety moment. I am hopeful when other children see the whole of LEGO Friends Universe is that they walk away with more knowledge and acceptance. I wish there was a PANDAS kids in LEGO Friends Universe. That would be something!
Overall, I definitely feel like that this new LEGO line is worth exploring, especially when the sets include an adorable pig and a whole town of relatable LEGO Friends to get to know.
Check out some sets below available now on LEGO.com!
Downtown Flower and Design Stores #41732
What do you think of the LEGO Friends Universe? Let me know in the comments below! Also, if you’re a PANS/PANDAS parent like me, message me! I’m here! I know the struggle. Hugs.
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