Kid Stuff

Fitting Together

local LEGO clubs help build problem solving skills

Thom Fountain, photos by Andrea Paulseth |

JUST A FEW BLOCKS AWAY FROM A WEATHER CONTROL MACHINE. Some intense LEGO action at the L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library’s monthly LEGO Club.
JUST A FEW BLOCKS AWAY FROM A WEATHER CONTROL MACHINE. Some intense LEGO action at the L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library’s monthly LEGO Club.

Few toys have survived through decades and generations like LEGOs. These resilient little plastic blocks have made it over a hundred years through world wars and various economic revolutions (and probably millions of angry outbursts after finding themselves under an unsuspecting foot). But through all of that, LEGOs still reign supreme in the toy aisle and in playrooms around the world.

There’s something about LEGOs that goes deeper than just the fun of building the biggest building/spaceship/robot/geometric blob. LEGOs have been shown to have real-world educational benefits, teaching children everything from sorting skills to engineering.

Plenty of places around the Chippewa Valley have picked up on this opportunity. Many local libraries and other play areas have begun having LEGO specific programming that encourages kids to get creative using those primary colors. For young children the benefits are seen in simple sorting and counting skills as well as helping with fine motor skills. Kids have to find the color they want, then match the sides to click them together.

Once they’ve mastered the simple skills, LEGOs offer a world of creative problem solving. The L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library offers a monthly LEGO Club where they choose a theme and ask participants to build on that theme. Kids have to work with a single collection to share the pieces they need and create a final product they dream up themselves.

The library also has a LEGO speedway event on March 26 where participants will build their own LEGO cars and race them down a track, again opening their minds to the creative possibilities of making a fast (and fun-looking) car.

The Altoona and Fall Creek public libraries also host similar clubs that challenge young builders in various activities, but also allow plenty of time for free play. The Altoona Public Library even partners LEGOs with chess, a game known for its educational value.

So while LEGOs might still be one of the most fun toys on the block, they also carry some weight for the future.

Local LEGO clubs:

LEGO Club at the Library
L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library
400 Eau Claire St., Eau Claire
Mar. 3, Apr. 7, May 5 • 1:30-3:30pm
LEGOs will be provided

Fall Creek LEGO Club
Fall Creek Public Library
122 E. Lincoln Ave., Fall Creek
Feb. 28, Mar. 14, Apr. 11 • 4-5pm
LEGOs will be provided

Chess and LEGO Club
Altoona Public Library
1303 Lynn Ave., Altoona
Mar. 21, Apr. 18 • 3:45-4:45pm
Please bring one quart size bag of LEGOs as a membership fee