Six of the Best LEGO Activities for Kids in Melbourne
By: Katie Oliveira da Silveira, Ella’s List
It’s been around for over 80 years, it gets lost easily, and it seriously hurts when you step on it. All this, yet still many kids (and adults for that matter) adore it most among all other toys. Given this BIG love for LEGO, it comes as no surprise that Melbourne is home to several LEGO-themed activity centres and attractions that kids can enjoy. Here are six of our favourites.
1. LEGO Education Centre
Run by Moore International, Melbourne’s LEGO Education Centre can be used for school groups (aligned with the Australian school curriculum), parties and school holidays activities. It’s a place where creativity and tinkering reign supreme and imaginations can fly as kids explore various mechanisms, robotics and methods of construction.
Sunday Fundays are a popular option at Melbourne’s LEGO Education Centre. Recommended for ages three and above, this is a day dedicated to creative building around a specific theme. These sessions run from 10:30am – 1pm on Sundays, and guests can stay and build for up to one hour.
Where: Shop 5/439 Docklands Drive, Waterfront City, Docklands
Cost: Sunday Fundays are $5 per person
More info: see the website
Source: Lego Education Centre Facebook Page
2. Bricks 4 Kidz
Bricks 4 Kidz was named the number one children’s enrichment company for 2016, and it’s not hard to see why. The company is founded on the principle of creative learning, and uses LEGO as a means to teach kids important life skills around such areas as analytics and entrepreneurship.
At Bricks 4 Kidz there are a number of programs to explore: school holidays workshops, after school classes, school incursions and lunchtime sessions, all of which facilitate educational and enriching play. There are also preschool classes that offer little ones the opportunity to get creative with Duplo around simple themes.
Where: 724 Glenhuntly Rd, Caulfield Sth
More info: see the website
Source: Bricks for Kidz Facebook Page
3. LEGOLAND Discovery Centre
Now this is really exciting. The much awaited LEGOLAND Discovery Centre has opened its doors at the Chadstone Shopping Centre, and this place will go well beyond building workshops. The LEGO fun is spread over 2800 square metres and there are– wait for it – 12 attractions to enjoy! That’s major
LEGOLAND includes ten LEGO play zones for die hard building fans, a 4D cinema and two awesome rides. Kids can get expert LEGO building tips from masters of the craft, they can check out MINILAND, a miniature replica of Melbourne made entirely out of LEGO. Kids can even plan their next birthday party at LEGOLAND.
Designed especially for kids aged three to ten, this is going to be one popular hub.
Where: Level 4, Chadstone Shopping Centre, 1341 Dandenong Road, Chadstone
Cost: $32.50 per person
More info: see the website
Source: LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Facebook Page
4. Inside the Brick
Inside the Brick was established in 2012 by a major LEGO fan, and qualitified LEGO Serious Play Leader (yes there is such a title.) The purpose of the business is to promote social interaction and play between all kids within the community, particularly those affected by Autism Spectrum Disorders.
There are many brick sessions that run each week such as Brick Club, which helps building fans to meet other LEGO enthusiast and expand their skills through the guidance of mentors. There is a large Maker Space available for hire (with a mountain of LEGO inside!), and there are school holiday workshops and party options available also.
Where: 70 Station St, Fairfield
More info: see the website
Source: Inside the Brick Facebook Page
5. Techcamp
Techcamp is a completely hands-on experience for big-time LEGO builders who want to explore the techy side of the toy.
For kids aged 8-12 Techcamp offers a program called Introduction to LEGO Mindstorms EV3, and in these sessions kids build a basic robot and use a basic EV3 interface to give the robot instructions.
There is also the Technology and Coding Club which runs throughout the school term on Saturdays, and in which kids learn various programming concepts, using Lego Windstorms EV3, Scratch and Arduino. (What a mouthful!)
Where: 64 Parkers Road, Parkdale, and 1 Ferrars Place, South Melbourne
More info: see the website
Source: Techcamp Facebook Page
6. Brickvention Annual Conference
It only comes around once a year, but boy is it popular! Brickvention is Melbourne’s annual LEGO conference that draws a huge crowd each year and displays tonnes of incredible LEGO feats – some that will blow your mind.
The event usually includes a Build Zone and also has many LEGO sets available for purchase on the day – some of them rare.
For details on the next Brickvention in Melbourne, keep tabs on the Facebook page.
Where: Royal Exhibition Building Carlton
More info: see the website
Source: Reviews
