The LEGO Group Introduces The New LEGO® Friends Characters Over Friendship Playdates

The LEGO Group celebrates diverse friendships in the modern world with eight new LEGO® Friends characters from different backgrounds to enable more children to feel represented during play. From 15 to 26 February, children can forge fresh friendships, inspired by these new LEGO Friends characters at Sunway Pyramid and take part in an exciting lineup of activities from video screenings and quizzes, to building activities with the new LEGO Friends sets. But the fun doesn’t stop there, from 2 to 12 March, children can also look forward to a series of exciting LEGO Friends activities at Sunway Velocity Mall.

A Re-imagined LEGO Friends Universe

The brand-new universe of authentic and diverse LEGO Friends characters was a result of insights from the LEGO® Play Well Study 2022*, which showed an overwhelming desire for more representation in play and more discussion on diversity. 97% of parents believe it is important to discuss the unique individualities between us all, with 85% of them agreeing that play and toys can have a key role in helping children learn about diversity.

Shoppers can expect new characters with multiple skin tones, cultures, physical and non-visible disabilities, and neurodiversity, including limb difference, Down Syndrome, anxiety, vitiligo, and a dog with a wheelchair. In addition, the re-imagined LEGO Friends Universe aims to help children become better friends to themselves and others by providing emotional and social development through play. As part of its storyline, the characters will work to overcome modern challenges that they face, passions, obstacles, and differences, all while trying to create friendships.

Meet the New LEGO Friends Characters at the LEGO® Friends Block Party!

Kickstart the school holidays with a fun LEGO Friends playdate at the LEGO® Friends Block Party at Sunway Pyramid from 15 to 26 February and Sunway Velocity Mall from 2 to 12 March.

Experience a day in the lives of the various new LEGO Friends characters and make new friends by stepping into bedrooms inspired by their passion points and the new LEGO Friends sets. Organised in partnership with Sunway Malls, children will get to enjoy arts and craft activities in Liann’s bedroom, channel their inner chef in Leo’s bedroom, take part in fun games in Nova’s bedroom, and even catch an episode of the new LEGO Friends Video Series while forming new friendships along the way.

Find out which LEGO Friends character will be your best buddy by taking part in the fun LEGO Friends Characters Quiz and top off the LEGO Friends Block Party by capturing cool snaps with your favourite characters at the LEGO Friends photobooth. Upon completion of all activities, a LEGO polybag can be redeemed on-site while stocks last. If you are eager to find out your LEGO Friends match beforehand or would like to dress up as your LEGO Friends match during the LEGO Friends Block Party, an online LEGO Friends Characters Quiz will be available at www.discover-friendsen.com/quiz-qr from 10 February 2023 onwards.

Rohan Mathur, Marketing Director of LEGO Southeast Asia, said, “Through the new additions into the LEGO Friends universe, we aim to not only inspire children to form diverse and deep friendships but also feel seen and heard through play. We are excited to see children interact and build long-lasting relationships with the new LEGO Friends characters, and hope this empowers them to form meaningful relationships in their daily lives too.”

Loo Hoey Theen, General Manager of Marketing, Business Innovation & eMall at Sunway Malls said, “Sunway Malls cater for the family with its many family-friendly infrastructure, services and offerings. The LEGO Group has been a supportive partner as a brand that can be found in our Sunway Malls all-year round as well as special events like this one. In today’s high pace lifestyle, malls play an integral part to become a one-stop centre to get daily necessities, spend quality time together and bond as a family. Through this partnership, we are able to create this experience for our customers, and will be anticipating more this year and the years ahead.”

A New Range of LEGO Friends Sets and LEGO® Friends Video Series

As part of the launch of the new LEGO Friends characters, The LEGO Group has introduced new sets to accompany children in their role playing adventures. These include indulging in art activities with 41739 Liann’s Room, caring for farm animals with 41730 Autumn’s House, and trying their hand at hairstyling with 41743 Hair Salon.

In addition, children can showcase their design talents with Olly, Liann, and other characters with the 41732 Downtown Flower and Design Stores and delight in delectable treats with Aliya, Liann, and other characters with the 41728 Heartlake Downtown Diner, and meet cute puppies with Autumn and Zac at the 41727 Dog Rescue Center.

Children can also look forward to playing shop with the 41733 Mobile Bubble Tea Shop and creating their own creative stories with the next generation of Heartlake City with 41731 Heartlake International School. The reimagined LEGO Friends Universe also features multiple other sets that offer different role playing opportunities across a wide variety of passion points for all to explore.

The LEGO® Friends Video Series will also return with refreshed storylines created in collaboration with the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media**. Character narratives will encompass relatable and inclusive difficulties and experiences that children face today, including the realistic ups and downs of friendships.

The new LEGO Friends sets will be available across LEGO® Certified Stores, LEGO Official Store on Lazada, Shopee, LEGOLAND™, as well as major retailers and department stores in Malaysia, while a LEGO Friends Video Series was recently released.