Jumbo Bricks are a notable part of LEGO’s history, specifically designed for younger children as a precursor to the more widely known DUPLO bricks.
Jumbo Bricks were developed in Denmark during the early 1960s and were marketed primarily in Canada and the United States through a partnership with Samsonite. They were sold until 1970 in Canada and until 1971 in the U.S. The introduction of these bricks aimed to create a safe building experience for preschoolers, ultimately leading to the development of DUPLO bricks in 1969.
Jumbo Bricks are significantly larger than standard LEGO bricks, with a 2×4 Jumbo Brick measuring approximately 1 inch in height, 2 inches in depth, and 4 inches in width. This makes them about three times the size of a regular LEGO brick, maintaining a different proportion than standard bricks (1:1:1 compared to LEGO’s 5:5:6). They were produced in four colours: red, white, blue, and yellow. The only available shape was the 2×4 brick and a special plate featuring wheels.
European versions of Jumbo Bricks also maintained similar dimensions but had slightly different proportions. These are considered rarer than their American counterparts.
See also
- Jumbo Bricks – a history on New Elementary