Review: 21346 Family Tree
Posted by MeganL,
21346 Family Tree is the 54th entry in the Ideas line, and the second one released this year. It's also the second set from the collaboration with Target for a fan contest (the first was 21343 Viking Village). The tree has striking colours, and the final version looks to be quite similar to the original fan model.
Summary
21346 Family Tree, 1,040 pieces.
£79.99 / $79.99 / €89.99 | 7.7p/7.7c/8.7c per piece.
Buy at LEGO.com »
An attractive set quite close to the original fan model
- Ability to customize
- Striking but unusual tree colours
- Ornate and pretty branch techniques
- No minifigures
The set was provided for review by LEGO. All opinions expressed are those of the author.
The original fan model, designed by Ivan Guerrero (aka Bulldoozer), shows a tree with a family underneath (including the dog!), along with other accessories that can be used to customize the tree.
Inside the box there are eight numbered bags, an instruction book and a sticker sheet with just three stickers. Two of the numbered bags are mostly 1x1 flower pieces that aren't used in the build. The meaning behind some of the colour choices and accessories are explained in the beginning pages of the book.
The completed model
The model is built from the ground up. Flowers and lanterns surround the printed "our family" tile, and flower arrangements are included around the base. There are four birdhouses on the tree in various colours. Embedded in the middle of the trunk is a box containing a heart piece, a nice little Easter egg.
The base of the tree is surrounded by accessories indicating the different interests of family members. On this side there's a palette with a painting in process. The paintings are provided by stickers, and there's a choice of three. I've chosen this one as it features the butterfly. I like the toadstools included at the bottom to provide some extra colour; these were also in the original design.
The other side shows a picnic blanket with two glasses, a camera as well as a book. Inside the book is a "Once upon a time...." tile, suggesting that this is a storybook as opposed to a family photo album in the original.
Lifting up the tree reveals the compartments inside. There are several dozen flower pieces here to allow for a great amount of customization.
The rear compartment is given over to specific accessories - there's plenty of room to store more accessories than what's included in the set, so you don't have to search everywhere to find what you need.
Here are the accessories - I've also included the two other choices available for the painting. It's an interesting choice by LEGO to not include minifigures in this set, especially since all these accessories are minifigure scale.
Moving on the tree - this is a more complicated build than the original, and I think it makes for a very attractive tree! The branches are very full and there are plenty of opportunities to attach things to the branches.
I like the design of the branches, though building them can be a little tedious as they're near identical builds. It's worth it; the finished build looks great.
Taking a closer look at the branches, I like the butterfly. It's new to this set, inspired by Graphium idaeoides and hails from the designer's home country of the Philippines.
A toy plane, a pair of birds, and a kite can all be found in the upper branches.
There are hooks cleverly included in the branches, from which hang several photo frame pieces, included here in the new reddish orange. The challenge with these pieces is that the pictures that can be attached here have to be quite small - the instruction book suggests passport photos, and indeed that would be probably about the right size.
I rather like them hanging there unadorned; I think they look like lanterns.
Overall thoughts
This is a visually striking set, and the tree colours work, although they're somewhat unusual. I think the red foliage gives a somewhat autumnal feel, and is complemented by the use of pumpkins and the floral choices at the base.
The biggest difference between this set and the fan model is the lack of minifigures. I think this is a missed opportunity by LEGO. I think it would have been great had LEGO included an assortment of minifigs similar to those included in 40634 Icons of Play so builders could create their own families, though I'm guessing that would have increased the price. I'm guessing the expectation is that builders will include minifigures from their own collection.
As for value for money (1040 pieces, £79.99 / $79.99 / €89.99), it still feels a bit on the expensive side. So many pieces included are the flowers for customization, and they pad the piece count. It's a very pretty looking set, but I think the minifigures are sorely missed.
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42 comments on this article
The kite-eating tree! I just KNEW we were close to getting a Charlie Brown set!
No customizable minifigs is incredibly disappointing though. I don't think I'm gonna be picking this up.
I agree that the absence of minifigs seems like a real dearth, esp at this price. Maybe Lego thought we’d all want to make our own custom families and didn’t want to supply generic stand-ins
Hey @huw, it's been another instance for me to have the session timer telling me i have another 15 minutes to post my comment, but when I clicked to post it just disappeared. This is quite frustrating!
Honnestly there are so many different families out there that it's hard to see how they could have provided enough minifigure parts to satisfy everyone. And I'm not even mentionning the price.
What could have been fun would have been a voucher to create a family on their website (with a minifgure limit) so that it's part of the set you buy yet it's at your image. But then again : the price ?
A nice idea and concept, but overall makes for a strange set.
@Nannig said:
"Honestly there are so many different families out there that it's hard to see how they could have provided enough minifigure parts to satisfy everyone."
This is certainly why minifigs were not included, and it's the right decision. Comparing to 40634 is a bit off because that set was about diversity whereas this one is about inclusivity. If one of the selling points with this set is to represent each buyer's family, then it would not be enough to just include a broad range of minifigure parts -- you'd need to include pretty much all of the ones that exist and a bunch that don't.
I like your voucher idea though!
With the plummeting family sizes across the Western world and Asia, it probably didn't need to be even half the size, let's be honest.
So yeah.... $80 for a tree seems ridiculous, who is the target audience?
This could have been great Tree/plant-booster set, AND THEY BLEW IT.
@Nannig said:
"What could have been fun would have been a voucher to create a family on their website (with a minifgure limit) so that it's part of the set you buy yet it's at your image. But then again : the price ?"
I think that could have been the saving grace for this set. And actually turn it into something truly unique.
But as it is now....I just don't get it. Even when it might be a decent build, it just feels so random. A tree to put your family pictures in, is that a tradition in some parts of the world I'm just not familiar with? And while I get the absence of minifigs.....doesn't the same go for all of the accessoires? The clips are interesting (even when I preferred the frames from the original), but other than that this set is just plain weird.
Also:
"The meaning behind some of the colour choices and accessories are explained in the beginning pages of the book."
Is that the color choices by the dan designer, or from the final set? I mean, the base looks rather bright compared to the much more muted original...
Why not show how to use the special picture frame pieces in your review? The picture frame pieces are what this set is all about. That's like reviewing an X-wing without ever showing a picture of the wings opened up like an X.
I guess 10 years ago they could have safely included one male, one female and two children (one boy and one girl) minifigures without any issues.
Not any more ...
The shades of green at the base are jarring tbh
@iwybs said:
"Why not show how to use the special picture frame pieces in your review? The picture frame pieces are what this set is all about. That's like reviewing an X-wing without ever showing a picture of the wings opened up like an X."
Unfortunately I did not have any pictures of a small size to use for display. If you are interested in seeing how these pieces work, you can view them in my review of 41904.
https://brickset.com/article/49792/review-41904-picture-holders
@ShinyBidoof said:
"I guess 10 years ago they could have safely included one male, one female and two children (one boy and one girl) minifigures without any issues.
Not any more ..."
Yeah and guess what, if they only included 4 minifigs with 4 hair pieces then chances are they would still be wrong for most people.
Also please, if you have a minifig of yourself, just replace the hairpiece with one that's completely different, if you think that people shouldn't represent themselves in Lego accurately.
@ShinyBidoof said:
"I guess 10 years ago they could have safely included one male, one female and two children (one boy and one girl) minifigures without any issues.
Not any more ..."
I could be wrong, but I think gay people did exist 10 years ago.
@Freddy_Hodson said:
" @ShinyBidoof said:
"I guess 10 years ago they could have safely included one male, one female and two children (one boy and one girl) minifigures without any issues.
Not any more ..."
I could be wrong, but I think gay people did exist 10 years ago."
Sure. But not in obvious LEGO form. LEGO sets were quite firmly based on the traditional nuclear family. The 'traditional' family and the customizable nature of this set is almost certainly why there are no minifigs.
For me, the biggest detraction is the colour. I prefer brown trees, not black.
@MeganL said:
" @iwybs said:
"Why not show how to use the special picture frame pieces in your review? The picture frame pieces are what this set is all about. That's like reviewing an X-wing without ever showing a picture of the wings opened up like an X."
Unfortunately I did not have any pictures of a small size to use for display. If you are interested in seeing how these pieces work, you can view them in my review of 41904.
https://brickset.com/article/49792/review-41904-picture-holders
"
Thanks for the link, but that part isn't the same. It uses the same widget to hold pictures, but it doesn't have the same connectivity and it's not a family tree covered with family photos.
Who cares about the minifigures and dog, where’s the squirrel?
Also I don’t like the black trunk so will pass. I still have an unbuilt 21318 and a 4000026 which are better.
I'm okay with it not having minifigures since they'd never be able to satisfy everyone and it's best for people to make their own sigfigs elsewhere using the entire range and history of parts and include them here themselves.
What I don't like is the color of the foliage. That's a BRIGHT red...not like a tree in autumn. More like blood red. Even if it was autumn colored, I'm not sure I'd want my family tree to be dying...spring or summer would be more optimistic.
At $80, this is an easy one for me to pass on.
@iwybs said:
" @MeganL said:
" @iwybs said:
"Why not show how to use the special picture frame pieces in your review? The picture frame pieces are what this set is all about. That's like reviewing an X-wing without ever showing a picture of the wings opened up like an X."
Unfortunately I did not have any pictures of a small size to use for display. If you are interested in seeing how these pieces work, you can view them in my review of 41904.
https://brickset.com/article/49792/review-41904-picture-holders
"
Thanks for the link, but that part isn't the same. It uses the same widget to hold pictures, but it doesn't have the same connectivity and it's not a family tree covered with family photos."
I second this. Does this widget have a spring clasp? What keeps the picture affixed? And in the other set, the widget is hidden behind the base. In this set, I'm guessing the widget will always be visible?
Can't wait for clearance. I need at least 4 of these to compliment the three copies of 79001 that I already have set up.
It looks more like The Addams Family Tree with the colours used in the design! :) It also seems a bit expensive for the off type of set that it is. I may buy it if I find it marked down in a few months, but probably not.
Needs more foxes!
To me a family tree has the names of all your relatives, not necessarily photos. I was looking forward to seeing the tree with photos on it though. I prefer the window frames used in the original design vs the picture holders. But the window frame piece limits the photo size, the picture holders don't. Not sure if I will get this set, will need to see it with some pics first.
I like it. I like the colours, I like the concept. Certainly expect to be getting one.
I'm interested if the original submission suggestion of an extensible tree has been carried. i.e. if I bought multiples, could I easily make it taller/wider? Or does the construction inhibit that?
@MeganL said:
"I rather like them hanging there unadorned; I think they look like lanterns."
Isn't that the whole point of the set though, to hang pictures of your family in the tree?
Not my thing, but would be worth it as a great parts pack once it goes on sale.
Thanks for the review. Having read it, I must admit I think that I'm passing on this one. I liked the idea but the execution doesn't really do it for me, and it does feel too expensive (mind you, so did the Polaroid). Oh well - I've got to cut back on purchasing this year regardless so I'm quite pleased when a review convinces me not to go for something!
Add me to the list of those who will probably purchase this for the parts when it gets a price reduction. It's an interesting concept but the color choices are a bit strange for what it's supposed to represent. But the parts will be good for spooky builds.
@MrClassic said:
" @MeganL said:
"I rather like them hanging there unadorned; I think they look like lanterns."
Isn't that the whole point of the set though, to hang pictures of your family in the tree?
"
I mean, arguably the whole point of just about any set is what you make of it, not necessarily what it's being sold as.
I rambled at length in the announcement thread so I'll spare everyone here, but in short I'm interested in this for the tree itself as a framework to be repurposed.
Also @MeganL I didn't see those pieces as lanterns until your review mentioned it, but now I really hope I can apply that idea, or something similar, one day.
Lego really loves to include the color turquoise in their 2023/24 sets.
Ah yes, the blood tree. Everyone's connected by the blood red branches and the abyss-black bark. Very metal
Yeah nah. All I see is a Scooby Doo Spooky Tree. Or a tree after a tornado has hit it.
I loved the original idea mainly because it included minifigures and more importantly the people images on the tree leaves (I even was hoping the images would be printed, as opposed to stickers). Without those elements it's just...a tree, and a very expensive one.
Easy pass.
I don't understand this set.
I understand the Money Tree, and I bought one.
But this tree? I don't get it.
@oukexergon said:
"With the plummeting family sizes across the Western world and Asia, it probably didn't need to be even half the size, let's be honest.
So yeah.... $80 for a tree seems ridiculous, who is the target audience?"
The Birth Dirth Tree??! That would explain A LOT about this set.
Guys, it's a pun.
The omission of dark red flowers against the standard red is very noticeable and really changes the look. Also could have used more branch pieces, looks a little bare. I know it's designed to have little pictures all over, but if they could include a bunch of different flower pieces to change the look, couldn't they have added extra branches for people that don't want the pictures?
Am fine with no figures, people can add if wanted, but would have been fine with a "generic" family of smiling yellow faces too lol!
Thank-you Megan for the review :)
I don't understand this set at all.
For a start it is far too small to be able represent a proper family tree of at least the three basic generations of kids, parents and grandparents, let alone uncles, aunts and nieces and nephews, all of which would typically make up a currently living family. And yes, I know about all the modern varieties of "family" out there, but where I live in rural Hicksville, Germany, those have yet to appear. I guess it would be different if I lived in Berlin though ;-)
Then there's the strange colour choices (yes, the original submission had almost the same, but that doesn't make them less strange for my liking). Why this autumnal design? Autumn usually represents the latter part of life, just before you die (see the "The Autumn Years" segment in "The Meaning of Life" for reference) ;-) .
What a weird notion in a family tree, where Spring would have been the far more appropriate choice.
The main impression I get from this tree is spookiness. Looks more like a Halloween decoration to me.
And finally there's the price. I mean, the majority of the parts that make up the piece count are 1x1s, more like a Dots set. I wouldn't even consider the set at a huge discount, because I don't have a use for most of the pieces in its inventory, so to me it's not even a useful parts pack.
Tl.dr: This set just isn't for me. But that's ok, there's too many LEGO sets available anyway and not enough room left in our house. Therefore I'm quite happy to let this one pass me by.
I'm a hobby genealogist but this set does nothing for me.
Since there's a kite being eaten by the tree, it needs at least one figure" Charlie Brown.
No floating squirrel?? Ridiculous.
Thanks for the review!