LEGO Fun Water Park Day (42676): Worth ₹2,999?

Your wallet just got a notification: LEGO Friends 42676 Fun Water Park Day. It's a splashy proposition, but at ₹2,999, you might want to check the water temperature before diving in. This set promises a summer escape, complete with pets, pools, and plenty of plastic. The Friends designers seem to have anticipated our collective need for a cool-down, dropping this theme right into the hottest part of the year.

Inside the box, you’ll find three numbered bags, a couple of base plates, a slide piece, two instruction booklets, and a sticker sheet. And yes, those stickers are adorned with paw prints, because this water park is as much for the furry and feathered residents as it is for Nova and Leo.

Speaking of residents, the minidolls are Nova and Leo. Nova’s outfit is a familiar sight, but Leo’s trippy shirt is a bit of a standout. They’ve even coordinated their shoe colours, which is a nice touch. But the real stars here are the pets. Pickle the dog comes with sunglasses – a must-have accessory for any self-respecting canine at a water park. Then there’s Churro, Leo’s cat, sporting a new bemused expression and a sou’wester hat. One can only imagine his thoughts on being invited to a water-based establishment. Lucky the guinea pig is also present, and Zac’s pug Dango, who also rocks a pair of rad sunglasses. Honestly, Dango’s shades alone might justify the entire set.

The completed water park looks like it offers a decent day out. There’s a lounging area with loungers for the Friends and their pets. Four animals, two pet loungers. Someone’s missing out on prime sunbathing real estate. At least there’s food and water for the four-legged clientele, and ice cream for the two-legged ones, conveniently stored in the shade of a palm tree and umbrella. The back of the model reveals the elevator function, clearly marked with paw prints. It’s a neat little mechanism to hoist the pets (or minidolls) to the top of the slide. There’s also a splat gear for a rotating fountain, adding a bit of kinetic fun. The slide, apparently new in this colour, splashes into the main pool, complete with a large floatie. Stairs and ramps provide access to the pool, but here’s where things get tricky. Pickle’s wheels, it turns out, are a tad too wide for the elevator and the pool entry ramps. Even the slide looks a bit ambitious for Pickle. So, Pickle might be stuck to the lounge area, unless the other animals decide to claim those spots too. And then there's the curious inclusion of a sloth and an axolotl, who seem to be gatecrashing the party.

The set offers good play value, especially for younger builders who will appreciate the pet-centric theme and the moving parts. The new animal expressions are a definite win. However, the price point feels a little high for the piece count and the overall build experience. While the elevator and fountain are fun, the accessibility issues for some of the pets, particularly Pickle, are a slight disappointment. The inclusion of only two minidolls also feels a bit sparse for a set focused on a social gathering.

In India, the LEGO Fun Water Park Day (42676) is priced at ₹2,999 at both MyBrickHouse and Toycra. Use code ABHINAV12 for 12% off on orders above ₹500 at Toycra. That’s enough for about 10kg of decent Alphonso mangoes or roughly 15 months of Spotify Premium. MyBrickHouse and Toycra have it available now.

Ultimately, 42676 is a charming set with some great animal figures and fun play features, but it might be a case of waiting for a sale. It’s a good set, but the price is just a little too steep for an immediate buy.

On that bombshell, it's time to say goodbye. I'll see you on the next one. Bubyee.

Verdict: WAIT. Good set, but the price will drop.