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Sick of Legos – What else?
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Ok my 10yr old is in love with Legos. Has been for years. He builds with them daily, he hides in the toys closet for hours with them (fi I let him). So his birthday is next Sunday and what does he want, but more Legos. We have buckets of them. Does anyone have another idea of the same theory as Legos? Something that just builds or continues with that type of mind set but isn’t legos and maybe pushes his ming farther. And we have Kenex’ but those just don’t do it for him? Suggestions please. Or great websites to look at might even be of help.
Have you considered looking into some books that will teach him how to build some more challenging things with his Legos?
yes, and it’s just not challenging enough. We have about 3 of them. Also, to build anything BIG, it’s hard cause you know we do eventually run out of certain blocks
!Also, to build anything BIG, it’s hard cause you know we do eventually run out of certain blocks
Maybe that’s why he wants more Legos.
Does anyone have another idea of the same theory as Legos? Something that just builds or continues with that type of mind set but isn’t legos and maybe pushes his ming farther.
If you go in a different direction then you’ll be adding something else that isn’t compatible and can’t be part of building something bigger.
Lego has a line of products called “Technic”. Instead of just blocks they get into different kinds of beams, rods, gears, and such. They are compatible with brick type legos but start pushing more into engineering concepts.
And we have Kenex’ but those just don’t do it for him?
I think they market K’nex to kids that are too young. Something about the building concepts they use doesn’t seem to spark an interest until kids get into the teen years.
The final level up in Lego is Mindstorms, which gets into robotics, motors, programming, and even more mechanical skills. I probably wouldn’t go in that direction yet because of his age. I don’t think he would fully embrace them yet if he’s not taking an interest in K’nex.
Another possiblity is investing in the Lego Master Builders Academy Sets. Each kit has a theme and around that theme teaches skills the actual Lego Master Builders use (think at Lego store exhibits and Legoland). Each kit comes with an 84 page paperback book teaching techniques. There are 3 builds with instructions given in that manual that use the included bricks, plus a lot of encouragement to go use the skills you’re learning. each kit unlocks a website section that gives them more help (videos, instructionals, etc).
There are 3 levels with 3 kits sold in each level(9 total). Each kit has a theme and teaches 2 specific techniques if I remember right. So for example level one’s kit themes are:
1 – space
2 – microbuilding
3 – robots
That first kit teaches Sideways building and Locking.
Joseph received the first kit in level one for his birthday and it’s great. he’s a natural and builds things from his own head all the time, so this is giving him the practical reasons to use certain techniques. He’ll be receiving the other two level one kits for his only Christmas gifts. Then he’ll be allowed to earn money for the other levels.
Another idea is the Lego Ideas Book (cheaper, does not come with bricks, but by studying pictures they can dive into their own creations).
The Technic is another possibility to pursue. We considered that but wanted to try this first. We’ll get to Technic later on I’m sure. Joseph certainly has a building/engineer bent.
I have a house full of Lego loving boys and mounds of the colorful plastic pieces
. I wanted to ditto what Doug said! Your son could move on to Lego Technic sets. My boys moved up to Technnic around 10 and Lego Mindstorm NXT around 12. Legos are all my boys want as well. But I don’t mind, they keep them busy and, yes, they hide out in their room and play for hours as well 🙂
LOVE the Technics here. Definitely think of getting some! There is a free Lego club on currclick.com that my 12yo LOVES. He builds many things from that. Encourage them to think of some of their OWN things to build. Mine once came up with a message carrier and then rigged it so that they could pull on cords and take messages between all 3 bedrooms, even up and down stairs. 🙂 Does he have Forbidden Lego yet? It was my boys; favorite Lego project book!
LOL, Michelle! Those stairs must have required quite a bit of ingenuity. Mine always seem to have a functioning contraption in the works…there appears to never be an end to this madness
.LOL, Michelle!
Forbidden Lego http://www.amazon.com/Forbidden-Lego-Models-Parents-Against/dp/1593271379 requires some technic parts. Does he have them?
Ok so this Forbidden Lego looks like what I need. But it looks like you need other legos than just basics? Do they come with it or how do I go about getting those things? Or was it just my imagination while looking at it?
How about you go to LEGO.com and do a pick-a-brick assortment for him? This allows you to choose the color and type of brick. I have a moratorium on pre-packaged sets here b/c DSs just build their own models anyway. However, I will allow them to ask for and receive brown bricks (or blue or green or the other colors we have less of).
You can also go on the web and find the instructions for many of the older models (no longer being sold on lego.com). What if you made him a book with instructions in it? Are there certain types of sets he prefers?
Here is one of the sites with instructions:
I use blurb to make books but you’d be short on time. You can also do books at walgreen’s, shutterfly and snapfish. Come to think of it, I might do something like this for Christmas!
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