Plan This Fun Lego Challenge for a Group of Kids or Just One

With summer coming on in the Northern Hemisphere, I feel like we all need some fun activities we can do with one kid at home or a bunch in a classroom when it’s too hot to go outside (I guess you can say the same for if it’s too cold to go out in the Southern Hemisphere, too).

This disaster island Lego challenge from Lego Librarian was designed to be done with a Lego club, but you can do it in a classroom if you have bricks handy, or at home with one or two kids.

The idea is that first the kids each design their own island, with a given amount of time where that is the only prompt.

Then each person draws a disaster card. You can use the ones from Lego Librarian or make up your own. These are things like there’s a storm coming so you need to build a strong shelter, or there’s a rescue plane so you need to build something so they will see you.

There’s a whole bunch of ideas, which should get kids thinking creatively about ways to alter their islands for whatever situations you throw at them.

If you’re doing this with just one or two kids, the idea is the same, or you could have them draw several cards over a session if they want to keep the fun going.

This is a great low prep STEM activity for kids that should get them thinking creatively about how to solve problems. It’s a great idea to have the kids explain what they did to solve their particular problem, too, and why they think that will help.

Even though it won’t be a surprise what’s going to happen after the first time you play it, this is one you can do again and again because the kids will probably draw different cards.

Get all the details and a printable list of challenge prompts at Lego Librarian.

[Photo: Lego Librarian]

Last month I shared a collection of beach crafts that used items from the beach like seashells and sand. This month’s collection is all about beach animals and things you might see at the beach that don’t require beachy materials to make. In fact you’ve probably got what you need to make most of these beach crafts in your house already.

How about paper plates? With a paper plate you can make this cute watercolor seashell from The Educator’s Spin on It, or an adorable seagull like this one from Glued to My Crafts.

Add some white beans and you can make paper plate sand dollars like Crafts by Amanda. Or use a paper plate as a frame for a sweet beach scene like this crab and turtle one from Artsy Craftsy Mom, which includes a downloadable template and instructions to make it super easy.

Or grab a paper plate and some bubble wrap to make a jellyfish like this one from Happy Toddler Playtime. If you have paper bowls instead of plates, you can also make a jellyfish from one of those, like Natural Beach Living did.

Use your stash of craft sticks and googly eyes to make crabs, fish, sharks and more with this craft idea from The Keeper of the Cheerios.

I love this little crab made with a cardboard tube from Hunny I’m Home. With this same idea I’ll bet you could make lots of different creatures.

Grab some construction paper to make the loopy tentacles on this watercolor jellyfish from Craftsy Hacks. Or make a stained glass jellyfish like this one from Life Anchored.

Make easy puffy paint to make these fun fluffy starfish from I Heart Crafty Things, or use cupcake liners to make cute little crabs (also from I Heart Crafty Things).

Turn an old pool noodle into some super cute fish with this tutorial from Happy Toddler Playtime.

And if you’ve got some leftover yarn lying around, make pompoms and turn them into turtles like these from Craftsy Hacks. (And check out my post on different ways to make pompoms if you need a refresher!)

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