News and Views

Ever Been to a LEGO Brick Convention?

Posted by on Oct 4, 2011 | 5 Comments

LEGO bricks can be the building blocks to any child’s future (never mind if that child is 9 or 99). Does Junior want to be an architect like his dear old dad? Spending a Saturday afternoon constructing a replica of the Empire State Building out of LEGO isn’t a bad way to start. Does Alexandra want to be an auto designer like her mom? Slapping together a Batmobile on the kitchen table gives her an idea of how everything fits in relation to everything else.

Ever Been to a LEGO Brick Convention?Whatever ambitions lie dormant within any of us, LEGO lets us express them in ways that are only limited by imagination (and dollars, I suppose — a little set of bricks here and a little set of bricks there can really add up). We can build planes, trains, automobiles, pirate ships, space freighters, alien cities, medieval castles, zoos, robots, dream homes, mountains, monuments, amusement parks, moon bases, hospitals, fire stations — really, anything and everything. You can use templates, start from scratch, or improve upon the designs of others.

It’s not all fun and games, though. You can even make practical things with LEGO bricks. And scientists (themselves likely shaped in childhood by the LEGO phenomenon) don’t shy away from utilizing LEGO bricks when convenient.

It’s not hard to understand how people get obsessed with LEGO. It’s one of the few toys that can be all things to all people. Do Tinkertoys have their own theme park? Nope. Lincoln Logs? Not even. Erector Sets? Please! But there are LEGOLAND parks all over the world. Ever been to one? How about a LEGO convention? Here’s a video of some of the marvels on display at Brickcon 2011 from a Jake Ludington’s eye view.

Do you get your kicks with LEGO bricks? Visit our BrickTrix LEGO channel on YouTube and show us what you’ve got! And even if you’re not into making your own creations with LEGO, you can’t deny that the creations of others can be pretty awe inspiring.

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  • Jodine Ibeme

    Walking down the Lego aisle is fun too!

  • Jodine Ibeme

    Walking down the Lego aisle is fun too!

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_UET2NODU4UXV3MJGSU3ZHH3XVA Jim G

    I have been to a few Lego Robotics competition, where you build your Lego Mindstorm and go through obstacles, pick up items, etc.  Judges score you for tasks completed — the more difficult ones have higher scores.  They do an split-the-field-in half elimination (start with 16, top 8 advances, etc down to the final 2).  There are trophies and placements to regional and state competitions.  My son was on one team for 3 years that he was in middle school.  It was fun.  Some of the robots were interesting looking. Use your imagination and bricks to have your robot perform tasks.  Sure some of them broke down in the middle of competition but that’s part of the learning challenge.  Good times.  Can’t wait to go to LegoLand in Winter Haven, FL  — Opens October 15th!

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_UET2NODU4UXV3MJGSU3ZHH3XVA Jim G

    I have been to a few Lego Robotics competition, where you build your Lego Mindstorm and go through obstacles, pick up items, etc.  Judges score you for tasks completed — the more difficult ones have higher scores.  They do an split-the-field-in half elimination (start with 16, top 8 advances, etc down to the final 2).  There are trophies and placements to regional and state competitions.  My son was on one team for 3 years that he was in middle school.  It was fun.  Some of the robots were interesting looking. Use your imagination and bricks to have your robot perform tasks.  Sure some of them broke down in the middle of competition but that’s part of the learning challenge.  Good times.  Can’t wait to go to LegoLand in Winter Haven, FL  — Opens October 15th!