Who are these sets made for?

Nurseries, pre-schools and early-years classrooms, where groups of young children build together.

Are the bricks different from regular Duplo?

No. They are standard Duplo elements, so the sets combine with any Duplo you already own.

What is the largest set?

The XL Bulk Set with 564 pieces, listed as 9090-1 (2008) and 9090-2 (2019).

Duplo and Explore

Sets: 294
Since: 1969
Newest set: 2022

Duplo and Explore brings together the large-brick sets from the educational range, designed for nurseries and pre-schools. It holds 294 sets dating from 1969 to 2022.

Sets per decade

294 sets

2020s

2010s

About Duplo and Explore

Early years in the classroom

These sets use ordinary Duplo elements, packed for settings where many children share one box. Instead of a single model, a typical set combines a large selection of bricks with figures, animals, vehicles and baseplates. Teacher guides and activity cards often accompany them, suggesting ways to explore colours, shapes, counting, storytelling or feelings through play. The Explore name dates from the early 2000s, when it was briefly used for the toddler range, and survives in the title of this sub-theme of Educational and Dacta. A single box is often intended for a whole group rather than one child.

Bulk sets and big boxes

The XL Bulk Set is the largest, with 564 pieces, and appears twice in the catalogue: as 9090-1 from 2008 and 9090-2 from 2019. My XL World (45028-1) from 2020 follows with 492 pieces. The Numbers and Mosaics Set (9531-1) from 2008 has 352 pieces, and Basic Circus (9063-1) from 1999 has 305. Kits like these are meant to be used every day by many children, so they tend to come in sturdy storage boxes.

Sets with a learning goal

Several sets focus on a particular skill. Numbers & Letters (9816-1) from 1998 has 276 pieces and uses printed bricks for early maths and reading. Two sets from 2017 take a broader approach: STEAM Park (45024-1), with 303 pieces, introduces gears, ramps and simple mechanics, while Our Town (45021-1), with 280 pieces, is built around jobs and everyday life in a community. For nurseries taking on second-hand boxes, the parts lists show what should be there, and What can I build? suggests which regular Duplo sets the collection could also make.

FAQ

Who are these sets made for?: Nurseries, pre-schools and early-years classrooms, where groups of young children build together.
Are the bricks different from regular Duplo?: No. They are standard Duplo elements, so the sets combine with any Duplo you already own.
What is the largest set?: The XL Bulk Set with 564 pieces, listed as 9090-1 (2008) and 9090-2 (2019).