Every fall, LEGO releases a few small seasonal sets, and the LEGO Jack-O'-Lantern Pickup Truck (40822) is one of this year's most popular. It's a little farm pickup driven by a farmer minifigure, hauling a giant jack-o'-lantern that opens up to hide a smaller pumpkin and a skull inside.

It's ranked #1 in Toy Building Sets and #11 in all of Toys & Games on Amazon, with a 4.7-star average. Here's who it's for and whether it's worth adding to your Halloween basket.

Who it's for

Kids 8 and up who like LEGO and want a quick, satisfying seasonal build.
Families looking for a Halloween activity to do together on a weekend afternoon.
Adult LEGO fans who collect the seasonal sets and like small display builds.
Gift shoppers looking for a Halloween treat or Boo basket item that isn't candy.

What we liked

The pumpkin is the star. It's a big, chunky jack-o'-lantern, more than 3 inches tall, that clearly reads as a pumpkin from across the room.
Hidden surprise. Open the top of the pumpkin and there's storage inside for a second, smaller pumpkin and a skull element. Kids love that kind of detail.
Display-worthy. Once built, it's a cute piece of indoor Halloween decor for a shelf, mantel or desk.
Right-sized build. At 177 pieces, it's long enough to be satisfying but short enough to finish in one sitting.
Minifigure included. The farmer driver adds a story and play value, not just a static model.

What could be better

It's small. The whole build is about 6 x 5.5 inches. Great for a shelf, but don't expect a large centerpiece.
Seasonal theme. It's very much a Halloween set, so it may spend most of the year in a box.
Ages 8+. Younger children will likely need help with some steps.
Seasonal sets sell out. Small holiday LEGO sets tend to get harder to find closer to the holiday.

Key specs explained

177 pieces: a short build, typically under an hour for an experienced builder, a bit longer for a younger child.
Iconic sub-brand: LEGO's line for seasonal and classic-themed sets that aren't tied to a movie or TV license.
Opening pumpkin with storage: the top of the large pumpkin lifts off to reveal space inside for the included small pumpkin and skull.

Tips for building and displaying

Sort pieces by color first. With lots of orange pieces, sorting saves time.
Build on a tray so small pieces don't roll off the table.
Let kids hide their own surprises inside the pumpkin. A tiny piece of candy or a note makes it a fun treasure hunt.
Display it near a window or lamp. The orange pumpkin pops in warm light.
Keep the instructions and a zip bag so it can be rebuilt next October.

How it compares

Versus larger LEGO Halloween sets: bigger sets offer more detail but cost much more. This one is the easy, affordable way to bring a bit of Halloween to the LEGO shelf.
Versus other Halloween decor: most decorations are just looked at. This one is built, played with and displayed.

Frequently asked questions

Q: How many pieces does it have? 177.

Q: What age is it for? LEGO recommends ages 8 and up.

Q: Does the pumpkin open? Yes. The top lifts off, and there's room inside for the smaller pumpkin and the skull element.

Q: How big is it? The pumpkin alone is over 3 inches (8 cm) high and 4 inches (10 cm) wide; the full build is about 6 x 5.5 inches.

Before you buy

Buy early for Halloween. Seasonal sets often sell out in October.
Check the age. Under-8s will probably want an adult helper.
Think about where it'll go. It's sized for a shelf or desk, not a porch.

Should you buy it?

If you have a young LEGO fan or simply love Halloween, the Jack-O'-Lantern Pickup Truck is an easy yes. It's a fun, quick build with a clever opening pumpkin, a minifigure for play, and enough charm to earn a spot on the shelf every October.

Buy on Amazon

LEGO Jack-O'-Lantern Pickup Truck (40822) Review: A Small Halloween Build With Big Charm

Key specs