The History of LEGO® DUPLO: Building Blocks for Generations
01 Lengua 2025
LEGO® DUPLO has been a fixture in the world of children's toys for over fifty years. Specially designed for toddlers and preschoolers, these larger building blocks combine play and development in a unique way. In this article, we dive deep into DUPLO's history: from the first concept to today's iconic sets.
The Beginning: The 1960s
In the 1950s and 1960s, LEGO quickly grew into a global brand, known for its innovative building system with the classic 2x4 brick. But within the company, people began to wonder: how can we get younger children to play in the world of LEGO too?
Toddlers and preschoolers struggled with the small bricks. They were difficult to grasp, and the danger of swallowing them was real. LEGO wanted to provide a safe yet stimulating play experience for children as young as 18 months.
1969: The Birth of DUPLO
After years of development, LEGO® DUPLO was launched in 1969. The name "DUPLO" comes from the Latin word duplus, meaning "double" - a reference to the fact that a DUPLO brick is twice the size of a regular LEGO brick in all dimensions. This clever scale ratio also allowed the bricks to be combined with the regular LEGO system.
The first sets were simple: basic bricks in bright colours, focused on free building. No minifigures, no themes - pure creativity.
The 1970s and 1980s: Expansion and Innovation
In the 1970s, the first DUPLO sets with themes appeared on the market. Think farms, trains and animals. These sets also introduced larger play elements such as bridges, wheels and rails. They encouraged role-play and storytelling, an essential part of young children's development.
1983: DUPLO Train
One of the biggest innovations of this period was the DUPLO Train. With its simple rails and large parts, it quickly became a classic. The train was easy for little hands to operate and had great appeal for toddlers.
It wasn't until the late 1970s and early 1980s that the first DUPLO figures appeared. These early figures were still quite simple and could only move to a limited extent, but they offered children the opportunity to play storylines and role-playing games.
The 1990s: Repositioning and Refinement
In the 1990s, LEGO began a strong repositioning of the DUPLO brand. The products were given a more modern design, and more attention was paid to educational aspects. The focus was not only on building, but also on colour recognition, counting, animal knowledge and language development.
During this period, DUPLO figures were redesigned. They were given movable limbs, facial expressions and a more recognisable appearance. This made them more attractive and versatile in use.
1999: DUPLO becomes LEGO® EXPLORE
In the late 1990s, LEGO temporarily changed the name of the DUPLO range to LEGO EXPLORE, in an attempt to emphasise the educational aspect more. However, this change did not resonate well with consumers. Parents and children no longer recognised the brand, and sales declined.
2004: Back to the Roots
After a period of financial difficulties within the LEGO Group, the company decided to return to its core values and familiar brands. In 2004, DUPLO regained its original name, and the focus returned to fun play, recognisable themes and compatibility with the classic LEGO system.
Recent Developments: 2010 - present
Well-known Brands and Licences Over the past decade, LEGO® DUPLO has collaborated with popular children's brands such as:
Disney (including Mickey Mouse, Frozen, Cars) Pixar Marvel Jurassic World
These collaborations allowed toddlers to play with their favourite characters, while parents could appreciate the educational aspect.
LEGO continues to innovate, including on the technological front. The DUPLO Connected Train, which can be controlled via an app, is a good example. It combines tangible building with digital interaction, connecting to young children's experiences.
In line with LEGO's sustainability mission, more and more DUPLO bricks today are also made from sugarcane-based bioplastics. The goal: to switch completely to sustainable materials by 2030.
Why is LEGO DUPLO Still Relevant?
Safety: The bricks are big enough not to be swallowed. Educational: DUPLO helps develop motor skills, language, logical thinking and social skills. Quality: As with all LEGO products, DUPLO bricks last for generations. Creativity: Despite their simplicity, DUPLO bricks offer endless building possibilities.
Facts and Figures
More than 10 billion DUPLO bricks have been produced worldwide. A DUPLO brick from 1969 still fits a new brick from 2025. DUPLO is sold in more than 100 countries.
LEGO® DUPLO has established itself as one of the most beloved and influential toy lines for young children over the past five decades. What began as a simple idea for toddlers to build has grown into a world of possibilities where imagination and education go hand in hand. DUPLO is more than a toy - it is a first step in a lifelong love of building, discovering and learning.
DUPLO sets, parts and minifigures
At ToyPro, you will find a wide range of LEGO® DUPLO sets, minifigures and individual parts. The DUPLO sets are specially designed for young children and playfully stimulate their creativity and motoric development. In addition, ToyPro offers a unique selection of DUPLO minifigures, from friendly construction workers to cute animals, bringing every construction adventure to life. Looking for a specific part? Thanks to the wide range of loose DUPLO bricks and accessories, you can easily complete missing pieces or build your own creations. Everything you need for endless building fun can be found at ToyPro!
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