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There’s nothing like a lazy Saturday morning and a freshly dumped bin of LEGOs. I enjoyed it as a kid and now get to do it with my daughter. While I personally prefer building a LEGO set with detailed instructions, it’s also satisfying to watch my daughter build wild creations following only her imagination. This is something the design team at LEGO understands very well. Their yearly releases have covered intricate sets for builders who prefer to display, as well as fun interactive sets for younger builders who prefer to play. But this year, they’ve gone above and beyond with a new brick that might just change LEGO play forever.
At the 2026 Toy Fair in New York, the LEGO Group unveiled LEGO SMART Play, a new interactive technology that brings builds to life—without a screen. Keeping with many of LEGO’s play principles, this brick allows for a little bit of tech to enhance imaginative play instead of overtaking or distracting playtime.
While at Toy Fair, I was able to not only get a demo of SMART Play but I also got to speak with Marvin Völger, an interactive model design team-member, specifically working on the new Star Wars SMART Play set. He showed me how his team designed all the fun additions SMART Play brings to the builds (though I’m still convinced there’s a little bit of magic involved).
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Carla Torres/AP Content Services for The LEGO Group
What Is LEGO SMART Play?
SMART Play is a great mix of technology and doesn’t require a screen or complicated set up. Instead, it uses what LEGO calls “responsive technology” that reacts to a child’s movements in real time. At the center of it all is a single LEGO SMART Brick, powered by a custom chip smaller than a standard LEGO stud. When paired with SMART Tags and SMART Minifigures, builds can respond with sounds and interactive reactions as kids move pieces and act out scenes.
The sensors are very sensitive and know when a build with the SMART brick is being moved, what its position is, and if any part of it is being gently pet. See what I mean by magic?
Völger tells Parade, “The brick can detect impact. When it becomes the identity of the Dewback [from Star Wars], the sensitivity of the impact sensor is on maximum basically. That’s why it reads the tiniest impact. And if you are too rough, it doesn’t do it because the threshold is really small.”
We love a toy that teaches gentle touch!
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The SMART brick is also compatible with all LEGO bricks, even ones outside the sets offered during this launch. Of course you’ll need the SMART tags and Minifigures to trigger many of the features, like sounds, it’s nice to know that these don’t require an overhaul of new LEGOs in order to be fun.
And while many toys are turning to tech, LEGO’s venture seems to be more kid- and parent-friendly. There’s no AI or data collecting that is being sent to a third party. Kids can use this on their own and are encouraged to learn how to create cause and effect. Parents don’t have to worry about anything getting hacked or connecting to strangers.
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The First LEGO Sets Getting the ‘Smart’ Upgrade
To lead the launch, eight new Star Wars-inspired sets are rolling out with SMART Play compatibility. From epic battle scenes to Jedi training to Cantina dancing, the first launch of this new tech perfectly embodies the excitement of the classic Star Wars films while adding the whimsy LEGO is known for.
It was a dream project for Völger’s inner child.
“I mean, my personal favorite is always the X-Wing because I’m a Star Wars fan,” he tells Parade. “I got one of the first X Wings when we launched the first one in the 90s, when I was a kid. So it was really fun to be able to work on one of those, especially now that we have SMART Play with it. That was definitely like one on the list was like, okay, I’ve done that now.”
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Kids can make Yoda whip up some blue milk or smoothies using specific pieces to fulfill the recipe. The space ships will know when they’ve been “hit” too many times and need repair (or if their pilot was a little too rough with a landing). It even knows which character is interacting with the spaces (if they are a SMART Play Minifig) and will play certain character focused sounds. My favorite was R2D2 screaming when the ship was damaged.
“I think we always try to add a good amount of humor to it as well,” Völger says. “When we test it, kids just love it, you know. Like Darth Vader singing at the Cantina.” (Also a favorite in my book.)
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Prices and Where To Buy
LEGO SMART Play space-themed sets officially launched on March 1, 2026, and are available now to order on the LEGO website.
All-In-One (SMART Brick included):
- LEGO Star Wars SMART Play: Luke’s Red Five X-wing set ($89.99)
- LEGO Star Wars SMART Play: Darth Vader’s TIE Fighter set ($69.99)
- LEGO Star Wars SMART Play: Throne Room Duel & A-wing set ($159.99)
SMART Play Compatible (SMART Brick not included):
- LEGO Star Wars SMART Play: Luke’s Landspeeder set ($39.99)
- LEGO Star Wars SMART Play: AT-ST Attack on Endor set ($49.99)
- LEGO Star Wars SMART Play: Yoda’s Hut and Jedi Training set ($69.99)
- LEGO Star Wars SMART Play: Mos Eisley Cantina set ($79.99)
- LEGO Star Wars SMART Play: Millennium Falcon set ($99.99)
Those in New York City can have even more SMART Play with a LEGO pop up. An interactive LEGO Star Wars SMART Play experience is coming to the Flatiron District in New York City on Saturday and Sunday, March 7 and 8, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
This free public event allows fans to choose between the Light Side or Dark Side and explore iconic destinations like Tatooine and the Death Star. Attendees can receive exclusive collectible card vouchers and participate in a free make-and-take lightsaber build at the nearby LEGO Store while supplies last.
Up Next:
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Source:
- Marvin Völger, an interactive model design team-member
