Let Go My LEGO!

Library builds fun for bored vacationers

Using imagination and LEGO building blocks, kids can create colorful structures this Saturday at the Bella Vista Library.

LEGOmania will be a free event for children ages 5 to 12. Joni Stine, library director, says the event was created last year because the library wanted to host a free activity for kids the Saturday after Thanksgiving. She had several trunks full of LEGO toys, which belonged to her two sons who are now grown up, and they just started filling upbags with LEGOs.

Each child will receive a bag of LEGO toys upon arrival.

Last year, Stine had 21 bags, and she plans to have more ready this year. The bags will include building blocks along with LEGO characters, such as ghosts or pirates. She notes it was fun to see that once kids dumped out their bags, a “certain idea would come to mind.”

There will also be a big pool of basic building blocks kids can choose from once they’ve dumped out their bags to see what they have, Stine says.

Kids can also trade toys with each other, she adds.

“If they didn’t haveeverything they needed, they would go around to different kids and kind of negotiate, like I’ll give you this pirate for this ghost,” she says.

There are no guidelines, and kids can build whatever theywant, she says. She saw pirate hideouts, ships, houses and outdoor scenes with cowboys at last year’s LEGOmania.

The creations will be displayed at the library the week after Thanksgiving before being deconstructed, Stine says.

Whats Up, Pages 17 on 11/23/2012

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