I grew up with LEGOs and PlayMobile, so this was an interesting read. Being able to create and build brings a lot of gratification which is also why I think the toys have endured so long. My parents used to glue mine because they didn't want me to break down what they spent hours making for me on Christmas haha.
My 6-year-old loves Legos, and seems to prefer building from imagination rather than instructions, even though his constructions are remarkably practical. Yesterday he showed me a log truck he'd built straight from his own head, and the day before that he came downstairs with a perfectly self-engineered mini loader in his hands. I think the abundance and detail of modern Lego sets actually help him build better from imagination. The pieces let him get closer to what he envisions. Every time he claims he's bored – we don't run an entertainment service for bored kids under our roof – it takes about 5 bored minutes before he's back in the middle of his massive Lego pile.
Glad to have found your writing, thanks to Daniel Puzzo's kind recommendation!
I do agree that the amount of different pieces that they make now does give even more possibilities. Sounds like you’ve got a master builder on your hands too! 😊
Absolutely agree: "My childhood LEGO sets didn’t endure because they stayed intact. They endured because they forced me to break them down, again and again, and find something new in the same old pile of bricks." I lament that most of today's sets are so spcific. Each piece unique vs improvised imagination. I still pull out my bucket of bricks and randomly create when my creative juices need a boost!
I grew up with LEGOs and PlayMobile, so this was an interesting read. Being able to create and build brings a lot of gratification which is also why I think the toys have endured so long. My parents used to glue mine because they didn't want me to break down what they spent hours making for me on Christmas haha.
Ah, PlayMobile, those were great as well, completely forgot about those! Do you still have your secured creations, haha?
Actually, yes! My folks saved some LEGOS. As a kid, I tried really hard to break the glued ones apart haha.
My 6-year-old loves Legos, and seems to prefer building from imagination rather than instructions, even though his constructions are remarkably practical. Yesterday he showed me a log truck he'd built straight from his own head, and the day before that he came downstairs with a perfectly self-engineered mini loader in his hands. I think the abundance and detail of modern Lego sets actually help him build better from imagination. The pieces let him get closer to what he envisions. Every time he claims he's bored – we don't run an entertainment service for bored kids under our roof – it takes about 5 bored minutes before he's back in the middle of his massive Lego pile.
Glad to have found your writing, thanks to Daniel Puzzo's kind recommendation!
I do agree that the amount of different pieces that they make now does give even more possibilities. Sounds like you’ve got a master builder on your hands too! 😊
Absolutely agree: "My childhood LEGO sets didn’t endure because they stayed intact. They endured because they forced me to break them down, again and again, and find something new in the same old pile of bricks." I lament that most of today's sets are so spcific. Each piece unique vs improvised imagination. I still pull out my bucket of bricks and randomly create when my creative juices need a boost!
Ah yes, glad you still pull out the bucket of bricks, such a great way to relax, think creatively, etc.
How great— the trajectory.
So many happy memories of playing with Lego as a child and watching my kids - now in their mid 20s - doing the same.
And hopefully at some point, I'll get the chance to watch grandchildren doing the same thing.
Lovely post, thank you.
Thank you, and yes, it really is a great way to bring different generations together!