LEGO is one of those rare activities that works brilliantly for all ages and can grow with your child.
A LEGO challenge adds structure to the usual free play and encourages kids to think creatively, solve problems and build their own designs.
The best part? You don’t need any special sets — just whatever bricks you already have at home.
These challenges are a great way to gently introduce kids to design thinking, teamwork, and persistence, all while having fun and being creative.
Materials Needed
- LEGO bricks or any building blocks
- Flat building surface
Tools Needed
- None
Steps
- Pick a Challenge
Choose a challenge idea that suits your child’s age and interests (see ideas below). - Set a Timer (Optional)
If your child enjoys a bit of competition, set a timer for extra fun. - Start Building
Let your child take the lead, offering support or suggestions if they get stuck. - Show and Tell
Encourage your child to explain their build — what it is, how it works, and what they’d add next. - Celebrate
Take a photo of their creation before tidying up, so they can keep a record of what they’ve built!
LEGO Challenge Ideas
For Ages 3–5
- Build a tall tower as high as you can.
- Make a house for a toy animal or figure.
- Create a colourful rainbow.
- Build a simple bridge to fit a car underneath.
For Ages 6–9
- Design your own car, boat, or plane.
- Build a castle or a space station.
- Make a garden or park scene with trees and flowers.
- Create a mini zoo or pet shop.
For Ages 10–12
- Design a working drawbridge or moving parts.
- Recreate a famous landmark (e.g. Eiffel Tower, Big Ben).
- Build a futuristic robot or vehicle.
- Invent your own board game with LEGO pieces as the game board and counters.
Variations
- Blind Build: Give instructions or describe the build without showing a picture.
- Team Challenge: Work together as a family to build a giant model.
- Colour Challenge: Build something using only 2 or 3 colours.
- Limited Bricks: Pick 20 random pieces and see what you can create.
Safety Tips
- Keep small pieces out of reach of younger siblings who may still put things in their mouths.
- Supervise children while building to help avoid stepped-on bricks or accidental spills.
- Store LEGO safely after play to prevent any unexpected barefoot surprises!
Leave a Reply