SpongeBob SquarePants has been a Nickelodeon classic since it was first released in 1999. It’s bright, colorful, fun, and wacky. So the LEGO SpongeBob SquarePants line was adored from the moment it was released!
Unfortunately, though, it was only a short-lived line, and only 14 sets were produced before LEGO lost the rights for SpongeBob SquarePants to Mega Bloks.
On the flip side, the sets that were produced were absolutely fantastic, with even the weakest being exciting and fun!
In fact, nowadays, the LEGO SpongeBob SquarePants sets are something of a rarity, and often highly sought after by LEGO collectors!
So what we’re going to do is go through each and every LEGO SpongeBob SquarePants set, rating them in various areas, including their looks, playability, and Minifigures to find out which is the best of the best!
So without further ado, let’s dive down to Bikini Bottom and into the bright and exciting world of SpongeBob SquarePants!
14. Build-a-Bob
Set number: 3826
Release year: 2006
Number of pieces: 445
RRP: $29.99 / £24.99
Number of Minifigures: 0
We’re going to kick things off with the Build-a-Bob LEGO set. This one is designed to look exactly like the main character – albeit a little more rounded to help avoid any sharper and pointier edges!
The idea of making this SpongeBob SquarePants ‘drivable’ by Plankton is an idea straight out of the season 2 episode Welcome to the Chum Bucket.
However, while the drivable SpongeBob from that episode looks more robotic, this LEGO version is truer to the actual character.
This build looks great from the front, but if you spin it around you find that SpongeBob is hollowed out and features two ‘rooms’ in which you can play with the tiny Plankton build.
These yellow rooms are filled with gears, levers, computers, tools, and a range of accessories for Plankton to interact with.
He comes with an interchangeable mouth: one a happy smile, the other a more terrified sad face. Also because of the position of his eye pupils, you can move them around and really play with his expression.
The Build-a-Bob set has moveable arms, and they can also be positioned however you want.
As mentioned, this set also comes with a tiny Plankton build, too. He’s simple and very small, but he’s in scale with the SpongeBob build and looks great himself.
Overall the Build-a-Bob LEGO set looks fun, but its relative lack of articulation and playability or anything like that stops it from clumping any higher on the list.
13. The Bikini Bottom Express
Set number: 3830
Release year: 2008
Number of pieces: 210
RRP: $19.99 / £18.95
Number of Minifigures: 3 (SpongeBob SquarePants, Patrick Star, and Bikini Bottom Express Bus Driver)
If it’s a colorful vehicle that you want, then The Bikini Bottom Express will not disappoint.
This colorful bus is pretty eye-catching while having some nice little features to keep it interesting and up the play value of the set.
The back of the Bikini Bottom Express opens up to reveal three rows of seats. This will comfortably accommodate SpongeBob and Patrick, as well as 1 other Minifigure.
The bus driver can also be positioned in the driver’s seat, and you can clearly see him through the front clear windshield piece.
And speaking of the bus driver, his expression is fantastic, and you can see how annoyed he is getting because of SpongeBob and Patrick’s antics.
The SpongeBob SquarePants and Patrick Minifigures are standard yet fun, and the height difference between the two characters is great and accurate to the show.
This set also comes with a ticket booth as well as some signage to indicate the bus stop.
There are a few dynamic features, for example, the ‘periscope’ on top of the bus can twist around, and the propeller located at the back easily spins with a simple blow or flick of the finger.
Overall the Bikini Bottom Express LEGO set is a fun little vehicle with a nice small selection of Minifigures. The price is also a massive positive!
12. Heroic Heroes of the Deep
Set number: 3815
Release year: 2011
Number of pieces: 95
RRP: $14.99 / £13.99
Number of Minifigures: 3 (SpongeBob SquarePants (superhero), Patrick Star (superhero), and Plankton (mech-suit))
The Heroic Heroes of the Deep LEGO set is made up primarily of the Boatmobile: a colorful car that can seat both of our heroes.
It’s a small yet sturdy and cool-looking build that not only rolls around but has a propeller on the back that spins freely.
The Boatmobile has two bubble shooters that are located on either side of the vehicle and can be fired by pressing the long red pieces that hold them into place.
The bubble missiles themselves don’t fire too far or too hard, but it’s enough to have fun with.
Minifigure-wise, SpongeBob and Patrick are great, and it’s cool to get these superhero variants of the classic figures. Not only is the printing first-rate, but the fabric capes don’t hinder their articulation.
And let’s not forget the Plankton in his mech-suit Minifigure. It’s certainly an interesting-looking design, topped off with a propeller on the bottom.
We love how the actual character of Plankton is represented by a single small brick with his face printed onto it. It’s simple but really effective, and the scale really works with the other Minifigures.
It might have been fun to also get Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy Minifigures, but it’s understandable that we didn’t, based on the price.
Overall the Heroic Heroes of the Deep LEGO set offers a great vehicle with some fun play features, as well as some of the most fun and exciting-looking Minifigures in the LEGO SpongeBob SquarePants line.
11. Krusty Krab Adventures
Set number: 3833
Release year: 2009
Number of pieces: 209
RRP: $24.99 / £24.99
Number of Minifigures: 3 (SpongeBob SquarePants, Patrick Star, and Mr. Krabs)
Up next is the Krusty Krab Adventures LEGO set, and this one combines the fun of a vehicle with the playability of an actual play set, making it the best of both worlds.
The main portion of this set is The Krusty Krab storefront. It looks neat, and the primarily brown pieces used to build it make it look like a treasure chest.
There are see-through windows and a set of double doors that swing open and allow Minifigures to easily pass through them.
Spin the set around and you get a portion of The Krusty Krab’s interior. It has a cash register, a table, and even a Krabby Patty that fits nicely onto the table.
It might have been better if the set contained more of an interior, but it’s still not a bad set as it is.
The Krusty Krab Adventures LEGO set also comes with the Patty Wagon (otherwise known as the Patty Mobile) that was first seen in the SpongeBob SquarePants Movie.
This four-wheeled vehicle can seat two Minifigures and is shaped – as the name suggests – like a world-famous Krabby Patty.
Looking at the Minifigures, we get pretty standard SpongeBob and Patrick figures. The Mr. Krabs Minifigure is a nice addition, though, and he looks great in LEGO form – especially his head piece with the elongated eyes.
Overall there’s a lot to like about the Krusty Krab Adventures LEGO set. It looks great, and you can recreate a LOT of scenes from the show. It’s just a pity it’s not a little larger and more expansive!
10. Glove World
Set number: 3816
Release year: 2011
Number of pieces: 169
RRP: $19.99 / £18.99
Number of Minifigures: 4 (SpongeBob SquarePants, Patrick Star, Sandy Cheeks, and Ice Cream Vendor)
We have another small LEGO SpongeBob SquarePants set now, and it’s the popular Bikini Bottom theme park called Glove World!
It comes with a Ferris wheel that can seat one person in each cart and can be spun to recreate the fun that you have on the classic fairground ride. Each of the carts rotates to keep them in position.
There is also an ice cream stall and an entry style that also spins around, allowing your Minifigures to pass through it as if they were entering or leaving Glove World.
In this set, you get 4 Minifigures. It’s always nice when you get a nice small set plus quite a few Minifigures for such a low price.
We get SpongeBob SquarePants and Patrick Star Minifigures, with Patrick having extra printed sections making him look like he’s messy and wearing a bib.
We also get our first instance of Sandy Cheeks in this list. She looks fantastic, and we especially love the see-through helmet that fits comfortably around her head.
The Minifigures are rounded out with the ice cream vendor, who looks appropriately cheerful. The design of this character is particularly fun.
Overall it’s a great little modular set that could have benefitted from maybe having a few more fairground rides to bulk up the scene.
9. The Emergency Room
Set number: 3832
Release year: 2008
Number of pieces: 236
RRP: $29.99 / £24.49
Number of Minifigures: 3 (SpongeBob SquarePants, Patrick Star, and Bikini Bottom Emergency Room Doctor)
The Emergency Room LEGO set is a set along similar lines to the 3833 Krusty Krab Adventures set: You get a vehicle as well as a pretty cool play set and appropriately themed Minifigures.
But where the two sets diverge is in the playability. The Emergency Room seems to have a fair bit more to do and play with, making it slightly more fun.
The ambulance can seat someone behind the wheel as well as a Minifigure in the rear of the vehicle. The Minifigure can be laid onto a gurney, which can be slotted neatly into the back of the ambulance.
The Emergency Room doors open up and inside there is an operating table, a stand for lights and drips, tables, bottles of medicine, and a computer. There’s plenty to do and interact with.
The outside design of the building itself is fun, and there are all kinds of cones, gizmos, and greeblies to make it look interesting and different.
We get a great SpongeBob Minifigure complete with a bandage around his head, as well as a pretty average Patrick figure.
The purple doctor looks fun and has a light headband printed onto his head. It’s a fun little detail that just adds to that ‘medical’ vibe that this set has going on.
Overall The Emergency Room LEGO set is a pretty exciting build that allows you to live out all kinds of scenes. The variation on SpongeBob is also a nice little extra, too, as opposed to his ‘standard’ look.
8. Mrs. Puff’s Boating School
Set number: 4982
Release year: 2007
Number of pieces: 393
RRP: $44.99 / £39.19
Number of Minifigures: 3 (SpongeBob SquarePants, Patrick Star, and Mrs. Puff)
We’re getting to some pretty exciting sets now, the first of which being Mrs. Puff’s Boating School. This has a large number of play features and exciting interactive elements.
The set features a small building with a lighthouse attached, as well as a driving course that can be played with.
The driving track is made up of boundaries, humps, and obstacles that can be navigated with the small vehicle also included in the set. It even has a wall that breaks apart for you to crash into.
Unlike in the show, where the car/boat seats 2 people, this little LEGO build only seats 1. It might seem a little oversized for the set if it was any bigger, though, and besides – it looks fantastic!
Spin the set around to reveal the interior of Mrs. Puff’s office. It has a desk and two chairs. Behind the lighthouse tower is a tool rack with several tools, plus a ladder that leads up to the light.
We of course get SpongeBob and Patrick Minifigures, both of which are pretty standard. They have slightly different printed expressions, but by and large, they’re the usual Minifigures that we get.
The star Minifigure is by far Mrs. Puff. Her design is fantastic, and she has a very distinctive rounded look – pretty different from the other Minifigures in the LEGO SpongeBob line!
Overall the Mrs. Puff’s Boating School LEGO set is incredibly fun and offers a lot of play value. We just wish the track could have been a bit longer or there could have been more obstacles for SpongeBob to deal with while taking his test!
7. The Chum Bucket
Set number: 4981
Release year: 2007
Number of pieces: 337
RRP: $39.99 / £24.99
Number of Minifigures: 1 (SpongeBob SquarePants)
The Chum Bucket is a LEGO set that depicts the fast food restaurant that rivals the Krusty Krab. This different-looking set adds a splash of metallic and mechanical to an otherwise natural-looking world.
LEGO did a good job of giving the outer walls an angled, rounder look, accurate to the TV series. It looks metallic, heavy, and like an alien object in the ocean setting.
But by flipping the set around, you reveal the true playability of this set. Instead of going with a restaurant theme, they went with a laboratory theme.
There are workbenches, cabinets, and machines that all look very industrial and dangerous. It’s an interesting play set to throw someone like SpongeBob into.
Included in the set is a tiny Plankton, but he’s strapped into a robot and can’t really be considered a Minifigure. Still, it’s nice to know that the owner of the Chum Bucket is there, should you want to play with him too.
This is a rare example of a set in which SpongeBob isn’t accompanied by Patrick! In fact, SpongeBob is the sole Minifigure of the set! We expected that a set like this might include at least someone else!
We do get a few robots (including a SpongeBob SquarePants robot) but no other actual Minifigures. Still, the robots fill out the set nicely and serve the same purpose, so it’s not all that bad.
Overall The Chum Bucket is a cool set that has a different aesthetic to many of the other LEGO SpongeBob SquarePants sets. For that reason alone, it stands out as one that’s worth picking up!
6. Adventures in Bikini Bottom
Set number: 3827
Release year: 2006
Number of pieces: 579
RRP: $39.99 / £34.99
Number of Minifigures: 3 (SpongeBob SquarePants, Patrick Star, and Squidward)
The Adventures in Bikini Bottom LEGO set has a lot of stuff! It’s a pretty action-packed set with a lot of interesting elements to play with!
We’ll start off by talking about the houses. Each has a distinct and unique look, and both have working doors that lead through to the back section of those parts of the build.
The houses each have various rooms that can hold several Minifigures, with SpongeBob’s pineapple home being the slightly larger of the two.
You also have a rock that serves as Patrick’s home, a small vehicle that can seat one Minifigure, as well as a cart that houses all of the jellyfish that SpongeBob and Patrick have caught.
One of the most fun elements of this set includes those very same jellyfish, though. There are two catapults that can be used to fire them. You can then use your Minifigures to ‘catch’ them again.
The jellyfish can’t be flipped too far or too hard, meaning that playing a game of catch isn’t too difficult. It just takes a bit of practice.
Of course, because we have the homes of SpongeBob, Squidward, and Patrick, we also get their Minifigures.
There’s nothing particularly special about any of them, though this is the first appearance of Squidward on this list. It rounds out the core cast of characters nicely and makes for a complete-looking collection.
Overall the Adventures in Bikini Bottom set combines great looks and fun playability to create a set that most people will love.
5. Good Neighbors at Bikini Bottom
Set number: 3834
Release year: 2009
Number of pieces: 425
RRP: $39.99 / £39.99
Number of Minifigures: 3 (SpongeBob SquarePants, Patrick Star, and Squidward)
The Good Neighbors of Bikini Bottom LEGO set is pretty much an updated version of the 3827 Adventures in Bikini Bottom. It follows a lot of the same beats but upgrades them and takes them to the next level.
SpongeBob’s pineapple house has a great interior, with his chair, TV, and bed both included. There’s a neat little Gary the snail build too that fits right in. They even went as far as including his food bowl!
Squidward comes with a deck chair and tanning screen (you know – like the meme), so you can set up a fun outdoor scene too.
Patrick comes with a boat that he drives around. Again, it can only seat one, but it still looks awesome. There are also translucent jellyfish included too, so you can go Jellyfishing!
And speaking of jellyfishing, there is also a backpack/gun that goes on SpongeBob’s back that he uses to vacuum up the jellyfish. The translucent ‘sucking’ effect looks great!
This set contains the same Minifigures as the Adventures in Bikini Bottom set: SpongeBob and Patrick are pretty par for the course, by now.
But what we do like is that Squidward has a newly moulded head that is far more accurate to what we see in the show. It’s only a little change, but it makes a big difference.
Overall the Neighbors in Bikini Bottom LEGO set might contain less ‘stuff’ than the Adventures in Bikini Bottom set, but it really takes it to the next level, quality-wise.
4. Krusty Krab
Set number: 3825
Release year: 2006
Number of pieces: 295
RRP: $19.99 / £19.99
Number of Minifigures: 3 (SpongeBob SquarePants, Mr. Krabs, and Squidward)
We’re hitting up the main restaurant of the show now, the Krusty Krab! And LEGO did a wonderful job of creating a set that encapsulates what it’s all about!
Looks wise it has that old and rustic feel to it, and as with earlier iterations of the establishment, the brown pieces really give a timber-like quality to the set.
The nautical flags on the tool and the bright yellow ‘entrance’ sign really pop against the rest of the darker build.
The back section is all opened up, meaning you can play out your restaurant scenes. There are tables, several Krabby Patties, and even the counter and cash register.
A safe is also included, which contains not only stacks of cash, but also the secret Krabby Patty formula. LEGO adding small little things like this helps with the world-building as well as upping the play value!
You can put SpongeBob to work on the grill, which even features translucent flame effects. It’s a great way of incorporating the actual kitchen into the build.
Outside the restaurant, there is also a trash can and a large green dumpster that opens up and can hold various bits and pieces.
As well as the three Minifigures included in the set, there is also a tiny Plankton piece. It might only be little, but it’s one of those things that adds a little jeopardy to your play!
Overall the Krusty Krab is the definitive version of the restaurant where SpongeBob works. It has a lot of fun and exciting features, and you can recreate all kinds of scenes that take place there.
3. Rocket Ride
Set number: 3831
Release year: 2008
Number of pieces: 279
RRP: $29.99 / £26.45
Number of Minifigures: 3 (SpongeBob SquarePants, Patrick Star, and Sandy Cheeks)
We love that the Rocket Ride LEGO set focuses more on a character other than SpongeBob SquarePants, putting Sandy Cheeks center stage.
This large spaceship is in keeping with Sandy’s character, as she comes from outer space (i.e. dry land)! There’s so much to do and see with this LEGO set, though!
Obviously, there’s the rocket. That’s the most obvious and enjoyable part of the build. It opens up to reveal a cockpit and several workstations. The entire vehicle can easily fit all three Minifigures.
Then there is the moon-buggy-like vehicle. The red and white work well together, and the large net on the back looks fun – perfect for jellyfishing. There’s a tank attached to the back too, containing translucent jellyfish.
There are also several other structures that add to the fun of the build, including large patched of green seaweed, and a long loading bridge that can be attached to the rocket itself.
And now we come on to the Minifigure – all of which look incredible. Sandy is known for wearing a spacesuit, after all, it helps keep her alive!
But SpongeBob and Patrick also have spacesuits printed onto them too, with only their faces showing. It’s a brilliant look that’s very in keeping with the theme of the set.
Overall the Rocket Ride LEGO set is large and impressive and definitely fun to build. But it’s the interesting-looking Minifigures that are surprisingly the real highlight of the set!
2. Bikini Bottom Undersea Party
Set number: 3818
Release year: 2012
Number of pieces: 471
RRP: $49.99 / £49.99
Number of Minifigures: 4 (SpongeBob SquarePants, Patrick Star, Squidward, and Mrs. Puff)
We’re heading back to SpongeBob’s house again, this time with the Bikini Bottom Undersea Party LEGO set!
This is the third and most recent version of SpongeBob’s pineapple house, with the other two being in the 3827 Adventures in Bikini Bottom and 3834 Good Neighbors at Bikini Bottom LEGO sets.
But where this one stands out is in not only the looks but the playability of the house as a whole.
The interior is neat and intricately detailed, and while it might not have the accessories of the other set, it’s still a superior version of the building.
Similarly, Squidward’s house is also included in this set, featuring three rooms where you can position and play with the Minifigures.
But the main fun of the set comes with the outside accessories. From a tiki-themed juice bar to tiki-themed speakers and a DJ booth, it’s a truly fun party of a set. The leaves, balloons, and translucent orange flames all add to the vibe of this particular build.
There’s also a colorful merry-go-round and seesaw, to which you can attach your Minifigures securely. They both move and work exactly as you would expect.
The Minifigures themselves look appropriately party-like, with all of them wearing printed-on garlands and Patrick featuring printed-on shades.
This set sees the return of SpongeBob’s driving instructor, Mrs. Puff. Previously, she was only available in the 4982 Mrs. Puff’s Boating School set, so it’s a nice (if kind of odd) addition to this particular set.
Overall Bikini Bottom Undersea Party is an incredibly fun and engaging play set. There’s a lot to do, and a lot to see; you can move and play with all kinds of pieces, and the Minifigures are spectacular.
It’s a real winner that very nearly took the number 1 spot!
1. The Flying Dutchman
Set number: 3817
Release year: 2012
Number of pieces: 241
RRP: $24.99 / £24.99
Number of Minifigures: 3 (SpongeBob SquarePants, Patrick Star, and the Flying Dutchman)
Finally, we’ve reached our absolute favorite LEGO SpongeBob SquarePants set, and it is The Flying Dutchman!
This one surprised even us – it’s not a big set, nor is it expansive, nor does it come with lots of Minifigures. But there’s a LOT to like about this particular build!
Firstly, ships are always a win. The Flying Dutchman is made out of a combination of brown and green bricks, and it is quite squat and small in size. But it looks fantastic!
The fabric sail with a skull on it is an extra nice touch, as are the translucent yellow lights on the back section of the ship. They might be small, but they really stand out and give a flash of bright color.
Minifigures can be positioned behind the helm, on the main deck, and in the crow’s nest, meaning all three figures can be accommodated.
Alongside the ship is a fireable cannon that can shoot translucent blue bricks using a pull-and-release spring-loaded mechanism.
This LEGO set comes with a wooden-looking dock that features rocks, palm leaves, and even a sandy-colored section. It has a very tropical feel to it.
The selection of Minifigures is fantastic, too. Pirate-themed SpongeBob and Patrick look great, but it’s the ghostly green Flying Dutchman himself that takes the crown as the best-looking figure.
We like that they used a ghostly tail instead of a leg piece. It adds to the spooky and ghost-like feeling of the Minifigure.
Overall The Flying Dutchman has it all: fantastic looks, great playability, and awesome Minifigures. It’s not the most obvious choice for first place, but it’s certainly the most deserving!
All 14 LEGO SpongeBob SquarePants Sets…in numbers!
So we’ve taken a deeper dive into all 14 LEGO SpongeBob SquarePants sets, but we thought we’d make things a little easier and simpler for you!
Take a look at this table to see how the sets stack up against each other!
| Set | Released | RRP |
|---|---|---|
| 3826 Build-a-Bob | 2006 | $29.99 / £24.99 |
| 3830 The Bikini Bottom Express | 2008 | $19.99 / £18.95 |
| 3815 Heroic Heroes of the Deep | 2011 | $14.99 / £13.99 |
| 3833 Krusty Krab Adventures | 2009 | $24.99 / £24.99 |
| 3816 Glove World | 2011 | $19.99 / £18.99 |
| 3832 The Emergency Room | 2008 | $29.99 / £24.49 |
| 4982 Mrs. Puff’s Boating School | 2007 | $49.99 / £37.19 |
| 4981 The Chum Bucket | 2007 | $39.99 / £24.99 |
| 3827 Adventures in Bikini Bottom | 2006 | $39.99 / £34.99 |
| 3834 Good Neighbors at Bikini Bottom | 2009 | $39.99 / £39.99 |
| 3825 Krusty Krab | 2006 | $19.99 / £19.99 |
| 3831 Rocket Ride | 2008 | $29.99 / £26.45 |
| 3818 Bikini Bottom Undersea Party | 2012 | $49.99 / £49.99 |
| 3817 The Flying Dutchman | 2012 | $24.99 / £24.99 |
Final thoughts
As you can see from this list, while LEGO only produced 14 SpongeBob SquarePants sets, they are all fantastic and have amazing qualities.
Each of them has something unique and interesting about them, and the variety of scenes, buildings, and vehicles that we get is outstanding. You can really build up your Bikini Bottom scene if you combine many of the sets together.
The Minifigures are all fantastic, and even though SpongeBob and Patrick are included in many of the sets, they are often different enough for it not to be an issue.
One of the best things about the LEGO SpongeBob SquarePants sets is that they were all very cheap and affordable. Not a single one of the sets retailed for over $50 / £50.
In contrast, LEGO Marvel and LEGO Star Wars have sets that are well over $500 / £500, making them difficult for your average collector to be able to enjoy. They are high-value and expensive IP’s.
They completely avoided that problem with the LEGO SpongeBob SquarePants line, and it’s something that many collectors appreciated.
Since being retired and going out of circulation, many of these sets have become rare and as such very expensive. This is a combination of quality and scarcity.
We realize that Mega Bloks now owns the rights to SpongeBob SquarePants, but hopefully LEGO will one day reacquire them. It was a fantastic line that many would one day love to see continued.