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Parenting & Farm Kids:  playing with legos  |
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SheilaC
True Blue Farmgirl
1948 Posts
Sheila
Vermont
USA
1948 Posts |
 Posted - Dec 29 2012 : 06:37:21 AM
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All 3 of my kids love playing with legos, they're 8, 10, and 12, and it's one of the things that they play TOGETHER with, so it's so nice.
BUT with building things comes the big LEGO dilemma--what to keep, what to take apart to build into new things. My kids really struggle with this.
I'm wondering if anyone has any great ideas of how you do it in your family, such as time limits on structures existing before they're broken apart, etc.
To those of you who don't have lego crazed kids, I'm sure this sounds like just such a silly thing, but it really is responsible for a lot of tears and upset around here.
http://troutwife.blogspot.com/
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MagnoliaWhisper
True Blue Farmgirl
2817 Posts
Heather
Haysville
Kansas
USA
2817 Posts |
Posted - Dec 29 2012 : 11:00:13 AM
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we have a ton of legos, I would probably get more if this was too big of a issue that way they could stay around longer. My kids love them but don't make anything even they deem needing to keep. lol Mainly just towers at this age (1, 2, and 6). But, I've gotten a lot of our legos on special buys at like aldi's and free from freecycle, and from good will. You may want to ask on freecycle to get more for free!
http://www.heathersprairie.blogspot.com |
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Ninibini
True Blue Farmgirl
7577 Posts
Nini
Pennsylvania
USA
7577 Posts |
Posted - Dec 29 2012 : 11:17:45 AM
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LOL! Oh my GOSH does your post bring back memories, Sheila!!! We've got Legos galore in all shapes and sizes up in the attic, patiently awaiting the next generation to take interest!!!
My hubby said to tell you to take pictures of the finished creations and then let the kids "blow them up" (tear them apart) and then start all over again. That's half the fun!
Enjoy every moment - even the ones with an unexpected surprise of misery under foot! ;) It goes by all too fast!
Hugs -
Nini
Farmgirl Sister #1974
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
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SheilaC
True Blue Farmgirl
1948 Posts
Sheila
Vermont
USA
1948 Posts |
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MagnoliaWhisper
True Blue Farmgirl
2817 Posts
Heather
Haysville
Kansas
USA
2817 Posts |
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forgetmenot
True Blue Farmgirl
3602 Posts
Judith
Nora Springs
IA
USA
3602 Posts |
Posted - Jan 02 2013 : 9:52:11 PM
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Taking pictures is a great idea! Our Extension Office started a couple of Lego clubs. The kids really did not want to dismantle their robots. Taking pictures helped them let go and move on to designing their next robots.
Farmgirl sister #3926
"Courage is not the absence of fear, but the belief that something is more important than fear." Ambrose Red Moon |
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texdane
Farmgirl Legend Chapter Leader Chapter Guru
4658 Posts
Nicole
Sandy Hook
CT
USA
4658 Posts |
Posted - Jan 03 2013 : 09:50:39 AM
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I like your idea, Nini!
Nicole
Farmgirl Sister #1155
KNITTER, JAM-MAKER AND MOM EXTRAORDINAIRE
Chapter Leader, Connecticut Simpler Life Sisters
Suburban Farmgirl Blogger
http://sfgblog.maryjanesfarm.org/ |
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ddmashayekhi
True Blue Farmgirl
4737 Posts
Dawn
Naperville
Illinois
USA
4737 Posts |
Posted - Jan 03 2013 : 5:13:29 PM
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I often think the Lego's in my nine year old son's room are breeding! They are everywhere in our house. If something is really complicated to build, perhaps the kids could put it on a shelf for until they all agree it is time to use those Lego's for something else. That's what my son does and surprisingly he has no problem taking something big apart just a few days after he's constructed it. Good luck at finding a solution that works for all.
Dawn in IL |
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MtnGrlByTheBay
True Blue Farmgirl
171 Posts
Erin
Lexington Park
MD
USA
171 Posts |
Posted - Feb 22 2013 : 07:11:20 AM
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My boy, age "almost 9," loves his Legos. He's a pretty creative kid, and a tactile learner, so it doesn't surprise me. Although I have to admit that it KILLS me when he gets a Lego kit, about $25 for a smallish set, opens it, and then doesn't build what the kit is supposed to be for! I actually MAKE him build what the intstructions say to build FIRST. It teaching him to follow instructions, and at least I feel like we're getting our money's worth... if only for a few minutes. He's so creative though. Once he does build what the kit says to build, he uses the Legos to build all sorts of amazing things. We've now found a "knock off" brand at Big Lots that is compatible with Legos, so that a little easier on the wallet. He likes this brand better too because it has more military figures, which he loves. On the revers, there's an online company called Brick Arms which he LOVES, but they are even MORE expensive than LEGOS!
I really hate to complain though. I suppose I'd rather spend $30 on Legos, than on a VIDEO GAME!
^^^I'm a RidgeRunner, and will always feel best when surrounded by the PA mountains.^^^
www.lastlapgang.com |
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Lanna
True Blue Farmgirl
330 Posts
Lanna
A little town in Idaho
330 Posts |
Posted - Mar 30 2013 : 12:31:14 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by SheilaC
All 3 of my kids love playing with legos, they're 8, 10, and 12, and it's one of the things that they play TOGETHER with, so it's so nice.
BUT with building things comes the big LEGO dilemma--what to keep, what to take apart to build into new things. My kids really struggle with this.
I'm wondering if anyone has any great ideas of how you do it in your family, such as time limits on structures existing before they're broken apart, etc.
We haven't really had to limit how long structures/built vehicles hang around. Maybe because we have most of a 14-quart Rubbermaid of Legos? I got a screamin' deal on some Legos off Craigslist a year and a half ago, and the kids tend to get those (or books or clothes) as gifts rather than other crap. We'll have quite the impressive Lego collection by the time they're grown, but eh, we'll have to divide it all up into fourths as hand-me-downs/heirloom toys. In fact, for Easter each of them is getting a set of Legos in Easter eggs (instead of a ton of candy, they *love* it!).
I have definitely taken photos of creations that are just super cool or when the kids ask me to do so, then they seem to be more willing to let it go and rebuild. One time my 9yo made this amazing double-decker RV - was so smartly laid out (had a better kitchen layout than my own kitchen!), it was stunning. I had to get a ton of photos of that sucker. Maybe one of these days the kids and I will put together a blurb book of all their Lego creations, so we can reminisce while flipping through the book.
As for other Lego issues...
We have a few toy rules - only one "big" toy out at a time (i.e. the box of Legos, the boxes of Thomas trains, the box of Quadrilla), no exceptions.
And. Legos *must* be on a blanket when being played with. If they want to dump out the whole tub, fine, it just has to stay on the blanket. First, so it's on a confined space (and we can walk around it!), second it's *so* much easier to clean up. Grab the corners of the blanket, stick one end in the tub, and dump. Cleanup takes 5 minutes, max. Friends of mine have copied the blanket thing, and it practically changed their life. ;)
We also have a bin just for Lego instructions. Not only the ones that come with new sets, but the ones I print off (for free!) from the Lego site. I just google up the more unique pieces (remember, I just bought a whole garbage bag of random Legos, no papers/instructions at all) with the piece number, find the sets it might go to, find the set it most likely is, print that out, and the kids are happily ensconced with building for hours again. It's practically magic. :D
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Lanna, homeschooling mama to four little monkeys that still try to jump on the bed |
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sharlanicky
Farmgirl in Training
25 Posts
25 Posts |
Posted - Nov 11 2013 : 09:11:22 AM
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We love Legos here as well!! That is one of the only toys my kids want. Back to the original question, we also take pics and then take the creation apart.
Sharlanicky
from the little "farmhouse" in the woods
Farmgirl Sister #5560
http://www.lookatwhatyouareseeing.com/ |
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prariehawk
True Blue Farmgirl
2914 Posts
Cindy
2914 Posts |
Posted - Dec 09 2013 : 04:20:16 AM
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We played with Legos when I was a kid. One time we built an amusement park--I and my brothers all made rides for it. We took some pictures of it and it sat in the living room for a week or two--then it got torn down and some new creations were built. I don't remember us fighting over the pieces--my brothers wanted to make "things" like cars and house, while i tended to make animals.Yes, Lego dogs and horses. Even Lego birds. so we used different pieces. But taking pictures is a great idea. And someday, they can show THEIR kids what they did when they were young.
Cindy
"Vast floods can't quench love, no matter what love did/ Rivers can't drown love, no matter where love's hid"--Sinead O'Connor
"In many ways, you don't just live in the country, it lives inside you"--Ellen Eilers
Visit my blog at http://www.farmerinthebelle.blogspot.com/ |
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sharlanicky
Farmgirl in Training
25 Posts
25 Posts |
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MtnGrlByTheBay
True Blue Farmgirl
171 Posts
Erin
Lexington Park
MD
USA
171 Posts |
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knittingmom
True Blue Farmgirl
665 Posts
AnneMarie
Edmonton
Alberta
Canada
665 Posts |
Posted - Jul 07 2014 : 2:50:00 PM
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I love the taking pictures idea and creating a Lego album documenting creations over the years.
Farmgirl Sister #3759
"There is no foot so small that it cannot leave an imprint on this world"
"The things that matter most are not really things after all" |
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Parenting & Farm Kids: playing with legos |
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playing with legos
