A SpongeBob Nanobloc building block figure is a micro brick set made of 4 × 4 mm bricks that takes 30 to 60 minutes to assemble and produces an 8 to 12 cm figure for a desk or a shelf. Boutique Bob l'Éponge carries 7 different characters, at €37.90 without a box and €42.90 with an illustrated box.
Micro brick building figures of SpongeBob are an original, creative way to bring the world of Bikini Bottom into your living room. Unlike classic building bricks, nanobloc-type micro bricks are ultra-small and allow detailed characters at a much smaller scale. The whole range sits in the SpongeBob bricks and building figures collection.
Note: LEGO® is a registered trademark of the LEGO Group. The sets sold in this shop are micro brick building figures from other manufacturers. They are not made, distributed or endorsed by the LEGO Group.
What is a Nanobloc building block figure?
A Nanobloc figure is an assembly of miniature building bricks, smaller than classic bricks. Each brick measures about 4 × 4 mm, which allows very detailed models while staying compact. Building one takes between 30 minutes and an hour. Each character is available without a box (€37.90) or with a box (€42.90).
The 7 available characters
SpongeBob
The main character with all his iconic details: yellow square body, white shirt, red tie, brown trousers. The most requested model. From €37.90.
Patrick Star
SpongeBob's best friend, the pink starfish, with his signature green flowered shorts. For fans of the legendary Bikini Bottom duo. From €37.90.
Sandy Cheeks
The Texan scientist with her space suit and her large ears. An original pick to widen a collection. From €37.90.
Sheldon Plankton
The big (or rather small) villain of Bikini Bottom in a green micro brick version. An amusing counterpoint to the hero figures. From €37.90.
Squidward Tentacles
SpongeBob's grumpy neighbour with his signature turquoise tones. Essential for a complete collection. From €37.90.
Mr. Krabs
The boss of the Krusty Krab with his red claws and his shell. For fans of the comic supporting characters. From €37.90.
Gary the Snail
SpongeBob's pet, probably the cutest of the figures. Perfect for fans of the offbeat characters. From €37.90.
Our selection of SpongeBob building block figures
Four Bikini Bottom characters to assemble brick by brick 🌊
With or without the box?
The version with a box (€42.90) includes illustrated packaging, useful for gifting or for storing the set between builds. The version without a box (€37.90) contains the same bricks and the same instructions, for €5 less. It is the logical choice if the figure is meant to stay assembled on a shelf.
Nanobloc or classic building bricks: what is the difference?
The two formats are often confused. A classic building brick measures about 8 × 8 mm. It is easy to handle, workable from age 4 or 5, and produces bulky builds. A scenery set of 500 pieces or more easily reaches 30 to 40 cm wide.
A nanobloc-type micro brick measures 4 × 4 mm, half as much in each dimension. The result is a compact figure, denser in detail for the same surface, and much faster to build. In exchange, assembly demands precision: it feels closer to a 3D puzzle than to free-form building.
The main advantage of micro bricks is footprint. A figure of 8 to 12 cm fits on the corner of a desk, a bookshelf or a display cabinet without taking over the space. For large scenery, the SpongeBob bricks collection offers bigger sets instead, such as the Krusty Krab or the beach food truck.
Which model should you pick? The comparison table
This table gives orders of magnitude to navigate between the formats sold in the shop. The values are indicative ranges: they vary from one item to another.
| Model | Piece count | Size once built | Build time | Recommended age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Micro brick figure (4 × 4 mm) | 150 to 300 pieces | 8 to 12 cm tall | 30 to 60 minutes | 8 years minimum, 12 years recommended |
| Vehicle in classic bricks | 300 to 500 pieces | 15 to 20 cm long | 1 to 2 hours | 6 years and up |
| Small scenery in classic bricks | 300 to 500 pieces | 15 to 25 cm wide | 1 to 2 hours | 6 years and up |
| Large scenery in classic bricks | 500 pieces and up | 25 to 40 cm wide | 2 to 3 hours | 8 years and up |
A simple rule emerges: below 300 pieces, count on a short evening. Above 500 pieces, plan two to three hours, or two sessions. Micro bricks remain unsuitable below age 8, because 4 mm elements present a swallowing hazard for young children.
How to build a Nanobloc figure
Every set ships with step-by-step illustrated instructions. The bricks snap together under simple pressure, with no glue and no tools. Three habits save time.
Work on a light, matte surface: a black 4 mm brick is invisible on a dark worktop. Sort the bricks by colour into small dishes before starting. And move forward step by step with the instructions in hand, rather than pre-assembling whole blocks: a row error is hard to fix once twenty layers sit on top of it.
What criteria should you check before buying?
Not all micro brick sets are equal. Seven points can be checked before ordering.
Brick size
4 × 4 mm for micro bricks, 8 × 8 mm for classic bricks. Check the figure before buying: in a photo, 200 micro bricks and 200 classic bricks look alike but give completely different finished objects.
Compatibility between brands
Micro bricks do not connect with classic bricks: the stud pitches differ. Between micro brick manufacturers, compatibility is common but never guaranteed. If you want to mix sets, stay within one range.
ABS plastic quality
ABS is the reference plastic for building bricks: stiff and durable, it withstands clutch pressure without whitening. Softer plastic deforms after a few builds and the figure loses its hold.
Whether a base is included
A flat base makes all the difference for a figure meant for display. It stabilises the whole and stops a knock against the shelf from tipping the character over.
Spare bricks
Good micro brick sets include a few extra pieces in the most used colours. With 4 mm elements, losing a brick under the furniture is only a matter of time.
Step-by-step illustrated instructions
Instructions with numbered drawings, one step per page and new bricks highlighted make the build accessible without experience. Instructions that skip steps turn the same figure into a riddle.
Stability and upkeep once built
A well-designed figure lifts with one hand without falling apart. On upkeep, dust is the real enemy of a displayed piece: it settles between the studs. A soft-bristled brush or a blower is enough, every two to three months. Avoid water, which seeps between the bricks and dries poorly.
How to choose your figure by favourite character
If you want to start a collection without knowing where to begin, here is a simple reading grid. You are a fan of the main character and his inexhaustible optimism → SpongeBob is the obvious pick, the ideal entry point into the collection. You prefer absurd humour and unconditional loyalty → Patrick Star is your character, and the SpongeBob + Patrick duo remains the most ordered combination. You like characters with strong personalities who stand apart → Squidward Tentacles, with his permanently annoyed expression, is the perfect antihero of the collection. You appreciate antagonists who are both comic and threatening → Plankton and Mr. Krabs form the complete villain duo. You prefer rare supporting characters → Sandy Cheeks and Gary the Snail are the most unexpected picks, which makes them interesting for an already advanced collection.
How to display your Nanobloc figures
Once built, these figures become decorative objects in their own right. Their small size suits shelf display. A cabinet with a neutral background lines the characters up and makes the collection effect immediately readable. A desk takes 2 or 3 figures next to the screen. A bookshelf lets you slide them between books, without taking up a whole shelf.
Whatever the display method, keep the figures away from direct sunlight. Light-coloured plastics yellow under UV, and SpongeBob's yellow turns mustard within a few months behind a south-facing window. For more on setting up a room, see our guide to SpongeBob bedroom decoration.
Nanobloc and wellbeing
Building micro brick figures works like a form of active meditation. Concentrating on a concrete task with a visible result at each step draws attention away from the worries of the moment. Published work on manual creative hobbies links this kind of activity to lower perceived stress. A figure taking 30 to 60 minutes fits into one evening.
The most popular figures in the collection
SpongeBob and Patrick Star are the two most ordered figures, often together. Gary the Snail follows closely: few merchandise ranges offer a Gary figure, which makes it sought after by collectors. Sheldon Plankton remains the choice of fans of colourful supporting characters. For harder-to-find pieces, our article on rare SpongeBob collectibles complements this guide well.
Nanobloc figures as gifts
A figure with a box at €42.90 sits in the €40 to €45 gift bracket. The object has the advantage of being both an activity and a decoration: the recipient spends an hour building it, then keeps it. For a more generous gift, two or three characters let someone start a real collection. Shipping is free from €60 of purchase, which two figures reach.
❓ Frequently asked questions
Which characters are available as Nanobloc figures?
7 characters: SpongeBob, Patrick Star, Sandy Cheeks, Sheldon Plankton, Squidward Tentacles, Mr. Krabs and Gary the Snail. All available with or without a box, from €37.90.
What age is it for?
8 years minimum, 12 years recommended. The 4 × 4 mm bricks present a swallowing hazard for younger children. Between 8 and 12, the build goes smoothly with an adult nearby.
How many pieces?
Count on 150 to 300 bricks depending on the character, for a figure of 8 to 12 cm once built. The classic brick scenery sets in the collection go beyond 500 pieces.
How long does delivery take?
7 to 14 working days. Shipping costs €5.90 to France and the European Union, and is free from €60 of purchase. Outside the European Union it is €7.
Are these figures LEGO products?
No. LEGO® is a registered trademark of the LEGO Group. The sets sold here are micro brick building figures from other manufacturers, with no connection to the LEGO Group. The 4 × 4 mm format is not compatible with classic bricks either.
Can you build a Nanobloc figure with no prior experience?
Yes. The instructions are illustrated step by step and require neither glue nor tools. A first build works without any brick-building experience, provided you follow the steps in order.
What is the difference between the boxed and unboxed version?
The boxed version (€42.90) includes illustrated packaging, handy for gifting. The unboxed version (€37.90) contains exactly the same bricks and the same instructions, for €5 less.
Do Nanobloc figures last over time?
Yes. The bricks are made of ABS plastic, the standard material for building bricks. Once built, the figure is stable. A fall onto a hard surface can detach a few bricks, but they clip back in by hand.
