LEGO Airport Set Top 10 Christmas Toys 1986

LEGO Airport Set Top 10 Christmas Toys 1986

The LEGO Airport Set of 1986 took playtime to new heights, giving children the chance to build their own miniature aviation hub. With planes, a control tower, runways, and service vehicles, it captured the excitement of air travel at a time when flying still felt glamorous. For kids unwrapping this set on Christmas morning, the LEGO Airport wasn’t just another construction kit—it was a bustling world of creativity, imagination, and holiday magic.

1986: A Year in Context

1986 in the UK was a year of big events. The Space Shuttle Challenger disaster shocked the world, while Top Gun at the cinema reignited fascination with aviation. Against this backdrop, the LEGO Airport Set gave children the tools to create their own adventures in the sky, safely within their living rooms. It fit perfectly with the spirit of the decade, where construction toys and big imaginations ruled Christmas morning.

Building the Airport

The LEGO Airport Set came with everything needed to run a miniature aviation hub. Children could assemble terminals, air traffic control towers, luggage carts, and aircraft, all designed with the blocky charm of classic LEGO. The modular nature of the set meant it could expand, connecting with other LEGO Town sets to build sprawling cities. Its mix of vehicles, buildings, and minifigures made it endlessly replayable (see LEGO Town history).

Christmas Morning Excitement

Parents recall the hours children spent on Christmas Day carefully building their airports before sending planes “taking off” across the carpet. For many, it became a centrepiece of play, especially when combined with existing LEGO collections. The joy of building something that looked like a real airport gave kids a sense of pride, while the endless role-play possibilities kept them busy for days after Christmas.

Adverts and Popularity

LEGO catalogues and TV adverts of the mid-eighties showcased the Airport Set as part of a wider LEGO Town range, encouraging children to imagine complete cities. The bright images of planes and minifigures bustling about made the set highly desirable. Its popularity was boosted by the wider LEGO brand, which by 1986 had cemented itself as one of the most beloved toy companies in the world.

Price Then and Now

In 1986, the LEGO Airport Set retailed for around £24.99, equivalent to about £75 today. It was a premium set at the time, often given as a “main present” under the Christmas tree. Today, vintage sets in good condition are highly collectable, with boxed versions fetching hundreds of pounds. LEGO continues to release new airport sets, proving the timeless appeal of aviation play.

Why Kids Loved It

Children loved the LEGO Airport Set because it combined construction with storytelling. They could build, dismantle, and rebuild their airports, while inventing stories of passengers, pilots, and adventures in the sky. Unlike static toys, it gave them control over the world they created. Its ability to connect with other LEGO sets made it even more exciting, as children expanded their towns to include bustling airports and busy streets.

Nostalgia and Legacy

For many who grew up in the eighties, the LEGO Airport Set remains a standout memory. Adults today recall the joy of carefully placing each brick, the pride of finishing a runway, and the excitement of sending planes “flying” across the room. It represented everything magical about LEGO: creativity, versatility, and the thrill of building something from nothing. Modern LEGO airports may be sleeker, but the original 1986 set carries unmatched nostalgic charm.

1986 Christmas Memories

Families remember Christmas mornings filled with the sound of LEGO bricks clicking together as children built their airports. Parents recall the quiet satisfaction of giving a toy that kept kids engaged for hours, while siblings often joined in to expand the fun. For many, it was the gift that made Christmas 1986 unforgettable.

Conclusion

The LEGO Airport Set of 1986 was more than just a construction kit—it was an entire world in a box. With planes, terminals, and control towers, it offered endless creative play. If you remember receiving one, revisit the nostalgia in our Top 10 Christmas Toys 1986 archive. See how it compares with the most popular Christmas toys, and discover how LEGO’s magic continues in our Top 10 Christmas Toys 2025 guide. The LEGO Airport remains a high-flying memory of eighties Christmas joy.

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