FOR ALL AGES
At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.
We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family.
Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
Is there a house with kids anywhere in the western world that doesn’t have some Lego? The ubiquitous toy is infinitely versatile. In minutes, your kids can build anything from a unicorn to a spaceship.
Many of us never grow out of Lego. It remains a joy for all ages. One of the many little bonuses of having kids is that you get to play with it all over again. Some adults even make a career out of Lego building. The so-called Master Builders create gigantic works of art for exhibitions, theme parks and department stores.
Of course, you could visit Legoland to see a fine collection of brick wonders. But the versatile building blocks can also be found out in the wild, sometimes in the most unlikely places. Here we round up some of the best Lego models we’ve found on our explorations.
Rooooaaaarrr!! This incredible T-Rex model was one of many incredible creations at the touring Art of the Brick exhibition. The skeletal reptile was created by Master Builder Nathan Sawaya, along with some 60 other models. It’s also good to see that he’s depicted the dinosaur in the correct pose!
Christmas time is always a good opportunity to spot creative uses of Lego. Many department stores will have impressive displays, but these two chaps were found outdoors. The first is from Legoland Windsor, while the Santa below graced Covent Garden during the 2020 season.
Here’s some Lego you can interact with. If your kids have always wondered which Hogwarts house they’d be placed in, take them to Hamleys toy store in London. The basement area is largely given over to Harry Potter toys, including a range of giant Lego models (see also top image). Best of all is this masterpiece showing the Hogwarts sorting hat doing its thing. My daughter ended up in Hufflepuff, in case you’re wondering.
Few people in the world are more famous than Harry Potter, but here’s one. HM Queen Elizabeth II is also memorialised in Brick within the walls of Hamleys. Here she is, immortalised on a plastic throne with a cute little corgi by her side.
I spotted further plastic royalty at Windsor and Eton station in 2018. This clever picture of Harry and Meghan, which coincided with their wedding, shows the versatility of Lego. It’s possible to make realistic portraits as well as three-dimensional models.
To Build or Not to Build, ponders this brickish Bard within London’s Lego Store. This intricate Fakespeare can be found just metres from his famous statue in Leicester Square. Creating something as intricate as this would be beyond the powers of most of us, but then you take a step back and discover that the writer is seated within an even larger model -- that of a London tube train. Better yet, there’s space on the bench beside him, and you’re welcome to take photos within the model.
London’s Lego store contains many other wonders, including a Lego tube map and phone box. Perhaps my favourite, though, is this humongous model of Big Ben (properly known as the Elizabeth Tower). It’s hard to appreciate the scale from ground level, so head up to the first floor to see the famous mock clock in all its brickish glory.
Big Ben isn’t the only landmark to be rendered in Lego. Renowned Master Builder Warren Elsmore created many of the world’s most famous sites for a book, including this detailed version of Stonehenge.
Main image credit: Spok83 / Shutterstock.com
Second image credit: ZayacSK / Shutterstock.com
Read The Disclaimer
At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.
We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family.
Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
Kidadl is independent and to make our service free to you the reader we are supported by advertising.
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We also link to other websites, but are not responsible for their content.
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