Back to Basics!
The 1987 Classic

Unleash your creativity with 331 pieces of timeless LEGO fun. Build anything you imagine with this vintage set!

🏛 Basic
Set #356-2

Basic Building Set with Storage Case

The Basic Building Set with Storage Case is a fantastic entry point into the world of LEGO.

🏆 Best For: Ideal for children aged 4-8 who are new to LEGO building and want a versatile collection of basic bricks. ⏱ 4.5 hr build 🧩 331 pcs
★★★★☆ 4.2

A highly-regarded set for its simplicity and educational value, the Basic Building Set with Storage Case is praised for its focus on open-ended creativity and providing a foundation for young builders. While lacking the complexity of modern sets, its classic charm and versatility remain appealing to both children and nostalgic adults.

📝 Our Take

The Basic Building Set with Storage Case is a fantastic entry point into the world of LEGO. Released in 1987, this set provides a wide assortment of classic bricks in various colors and sizes, encouraging open-ended creativity and imaginative building.

This set is perfect for young children and beginning LEGO enthusiasts. With its simple, straightforward design and focus on basic building techniques, it offers hours of fun and learning without being overwhelming. The included storage case makes cleanup and organization a breeze.

Skip this if you are an experienced builder looking for complex techniques or licensed themes. Consider Creator Expert sets like 10265-1 Ford Mustang or Architecture sets if you prefer intricate builds or detailed models.

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🧱 Building Experience

🧩
331
Pieces
4.5h
Build Time
📊
Beginner
Difficulty
Build Highlights:
  • Simple and intuitive building experience perfect for beginners
  • Focus on classic brick stacking and basic construction techniques
  • Encourages creativity and imaginative play with no fixed instructions
  • Storage case provides convenient organization and portability

📈 Investment Analysis

→ Price stable
B-
Investment Grade
⏳ Active
The Basic Building Set with Storage Case (356-2) presents a modest investment opportunity. As a vintage set from 1987, its value is primarily driven by nostalgia and its complete, unopened condition. While not a high-growth investment, the set's historical significance and potential appeal to collectors of classic LEGO sets offer some appreciation potential. The presence of a storage case also enhances its collectibility. However, its relatively common nature compared to more elaborate sets limits its potential for substantial returns. Investors should consider the condition of the box and the completeness of the set when assessing its value.

Not Financial Advice: Content is for educational purposes only. Past performance doesn't guarantee future results. Full disclaimer

Compare Similar Sets

Compared to modern LEGO Classic sets, the Basic Building Set with Storage Case offers a nostalgic appeal and a focus on fundamental building elements. While newer Classic sets often include more specialized parts and vibrant colors, this vintage set provides a purist building experience with its selection of basic bricks. Collectors seeking a piece of LEGO history may prefer this set, while those looking for more diverse building options might opt for a modern Classic set.

📦 Full Parts Inventory - 34 unique parts • 331 total pieces

Windscreen 2 x 4 x 3 Frame with Hollow Studs Windscreen 2 x 4 ...
Part #: 2352b Yellow
Brick 2 x 4 Brick 2 x 4
Part #: 3001 24× Red
Brick 2 x 4 Brick 2 x 4
Part #: 3001 27× Blue
Brick 2 x 4 Brick 2 x 4
Part #: 3001 24× White
Brick 2 x 4 Brick 2 x 4
Part #: 3001 26× Yellow
Brick 2 x 4 Brick 2 x 4
Part #: 3001 18× Black
Brick 2 x 4 with Smile and Frown Print on Opposite Sides Brick 2 x 4 with ...
Part #: 3001pr0043 Yellow
Brick 2 x 3 Brick 2 x 3
Part #: 3002 Yellow
Brick 2 x 3 Brick 2 x 3
Part #: 3002 Blue
Brick 2 x 3 Brick 2 x 3
Part #: 3002 Black
Brick 2 x 3 Brick 2 x 3
Part #: 3002 Red
Brick 2 x 3 Brick 2 x 3
Part #: 3002 White
Brick 2 x 2 Brick 2 x 2
Part #: 3003 22× Red
Brick 2 x 2 Brick 2 x 2
Part #: 3003 22× Yellow
Brick 2 x 2 Brick 2 x 2
Part #: 3003 16× Black
Brick 2 x 2 Brick 2 x 2
Part #: 3003 22× Blue
Brick 2 x 2 Brick 2 x 2
Part #: 3003 20× White
Brick 2 x 2 with Eye [No Pupils] Print on Two Sides, Offset Brick 2 x 2 with ...
Part #: 3003pr0052 Yellow
Brick 2 x 10 Brick 2 x 10
Part #: 3006 Red
Brick 2 x 8 Brick 2 x 8
Part #: 3007 Yellow
Brick 2 x 8 Brick 2 x 8
Part #: 3007 Blue
Brick Special 2 x 2 [Red Wheels for Single Tyre] Brick Special 2 x...
Part #: 3137c01 Black
Fence Lattice 1 x 4 x 2 Fence Lattice 1 x...
Part #: 3185 Yellow
Plant, Pine Tree, Large, 4 x 4 x 6 2/3 Plant, Pine Tree,...
Part #: 3471 Green
Tyre Offset Tread 24 x 8 Tyre Offset Tread...
Part #: 3483 Black
Flag on Flagpole, Straight with Red Small Lego Print Flag on Flagpole,...
Part #: 3596pr0003 White
Tyre 15 x 6 Offset Tread Small Tyre 15 x 6 Offse...
Part #: 3641 Black
Door Frame 2 x 4 x 5 Door Frame 2 x 4 x 5
Part #: 4130 Yellow
Door 1 x 4 x 5 Door 1 x 4 x 5
Part #: 4131 Red
Window 2 x 4 x 3 Frame with Solid Studs Window 2 x 4 x 3 ...
Part #: 4132 Yellow
Window 2 x 4 x 3 Pane Window 2 x 4 x 3 ...
Part #: 4133 Red
Brick Special 2 x 4 with Wheels, Freestyle Red Brick Special 2 x...
Part #: 4180c02 Black
Brick 8 x 8 Brick 8 x 8
Part #: 4201 Green
Brick 4 x 12 Brick 4 x 12
Part #: 4202 Red
Brick 8 x 16 Brick 8 x 16
Part #: 4204 Green
Plant, Flower 2 x 2 Leaves - Angular Plant, Flower 2 x...
Part #: 4727 Green
Plant, Flower 2 x 2 - Round [Open Stud] Plant, Flower 2 x...
Part #: 4728 Yellow
Plant, Flower 2 x 2 - Round [Open Stud] Plant, Flower 2 x...
Part #: 4728 Red
Brick Special 2 x 2 with Pin and No Axle Hole Brick Special 2 x...
Part #: 4730 Blue
Brick Arch 2 x 8 x 3 Brick Arch 2 x 8 x 3
Part #: 4743 Blue
Brick Arch 2 x 8 x 3 Brick Arch 2 x 8 x 3
Part #: 4743 Red
Brick Curved 2 x 4 x 2 Double [Plain] Brick Curved 2 x ...
Part #: 4744 Red
Brick Curved 2 x 4 x 2 Double [Plain] Brick Curved 2 x ...
Part #: 4744 Yellow
Propeller 2 Blade Twisted Propeller 2 Blade...
Part #: 4745 Yellow
Brick Special 2 x 4 with Coupling, Male Brick Special 2 x...
Part #: 4747 Red
Brick Special 2 x 4 with Coupling, Female Brick Special 2 x...
Part #: 4748 Red
Storage Case, with Two Sliding Latches (Small) Storage Case, wit...
Part #: 4960 Red
Brick 2 x 2 without Inside Ridges Brick 2 x 2 witho...
Part #: 6223 Trans-Clear
Basic Figure Finger Puppet Female [Red, Black Hair] Basic Figure Fing...
Part #: fig0001 [No Color/Any Color]
Basic Figure Finger Puppet Male [Blue, Brown Hair] Basic Figure Fing...
Part #: fig0002 [No Color/Any Color]
This set provides a great selection of basic bricks in the core LEGO colors. The variety of 2x2, 2x3, and 2x4 bricks in red, yellow, blue, white, and black makes it an excellent starter set for building simple structures and vehicles.

💎 Notable Parts

Blue Brick 2 x 4 (27x) $2.70
Yellow Brick 2 x 4 (26x) $2.60
Red Brick 2 x 4 (24x) $2.40
White Brick 2 x 4 (24x) $2.40
Black Brick 2 x 4 (18x) $1.80
Est. BrickLink Part Value
$11.90

💡 MOC Potential

🏙 Small town buildings and houses
🚗 Classic cars and trucks
🏰 Medieval towers and walls

Community Insights

Real opinions from Reddit and YouTube

What Reddit Says

No Reddit discussions found for this set.

What YouTubers Say

Based on 7 videos
3.0 /5
Mixed
0% positive
BlockTalk AI

Community Sentiment

Based on 7 YouTube reviews

Reddit

Not enough Reddit data

YouTube

3.0 /5
Mixed
0% positive
0
Positive
7
Mixed
0
Critical
BlockTalk AI Analysis

Charts Inventory Statistics

34
Unique Parts
331
Total Pieces
0
Minifigures
Inventory Version: 1