If you ever get the opportunity to go to a LEGO Kidsfest, I highly recommend it. My family and I were so excited to see that LEGO Kidsfest was coming to Pittsburgh again this year. As a member of the USFamilyGuide.com blogger program, my boys and I had the opportunity to go and review this year’s LEGO Kidsfest. We had gone the last time they were in Pittsburgh so it was neat to see what was different and what favorites were still there.
We went on Friday, Nov 30, 2012. Yep opening day session from 4:00 – 8:30. Last year we had gone to the 2nd Saturday session. Not sure if it was because it was a Friday this year or if they really streamlined things this year but we got right in, no waiting in line. Granted we got there about 10 minutes after 4 too but we were practically able to walk right in. The staff that checked out tickets was very professional and polite. Every staff member we encountered was very enthusiastic and helpful.
One of the first things I noticed walking in was a yellow tent at the entrance with a sign that said “Lost parents tent” which I thought was kinda cute. If you and your child get separated, it’s a meeting place and they can make an announcement to reunite you. They also had the LEGO club tent. My 8 yr old is a LEGO club member. He had remembered his post card and got a free prize for bringing it in. There was a lot of related vendors there too with cool things to show the kids.
Just about anywhere you walk in the Kidsfest you’ll see the giant LEGO models built by LEGO’s master builders. The boys got their pictures taken by a few of their favorites, but there was so many.
Another thing you’ll find placed throughout the LEGO Kidsfest is the monochrome builds. The kids were invited to make their own monochrome creations and put them on display.
There is something for everyone at LEGO Kidsfest from the littlest to the biggest LEGO fans. If you get tired you can sit and watch LEGO shows at the theater which was new this year. They added lost of tables and chairs by the eateries so there was plenty of room to relax and enjoy and quick meal before you run off and discover more LEGO fun.
There was a LEGO Duplo area for the little ones. My youngest liked this part. They had little building tables set up as well as a big Duplo pile for them to build and crawl through. Certain times during the Kidsfest there was also story time and activities geared towards the littlest fans.
I had each of my older boys write up their own short paragraph on LEGO Kidsfest. Here is my 8 year old’s version (his words)
“We went to LEGO Kidsfest on Friday. My mom was given some tickets and I’m a LEGO club member. My favorite thing that I did was play the Wii U. My favorite thing I saw was the giant LEGO statues. That was half the stuff I did there”
Now for my 10 year old’s version
“Where I live it’s a long drive to Pittsburgh, but it was worth it when I got to LEGO Kidsfest. It is great. My favorite part was the building competition. I came in 3rd out of 5. Buy tickets next time.”
My boys participated in a bridge building competition. They were put in a group of 6 total. They had to try to make a bridge that would hold the most weight against other teams. It was a good team work experience. Even though they didn’t win that competition. They still had fun.
There were so many other things too like the LEGO racer area where kids could build their own racers then race them down ramps. They had the map of the US where kids could build a piece to add to the map. There was a LEGO mural they could contribute to, and so much more. We actually didn’t have time to do everything but thanks to the handy map they gave us when we went in, we were able to plan and make sure they got to do the major things on their list.
In my opinion Friday seemed to be a lot less busy than the Saturday we went last year. But regardless we had fun both times.
Check out LEGOKidsfest.com to see an upcoming schedule for 2013. Also don’t forget to check out USFamilyGuide.com for your guide to fun things in your area and discounts!
***I received free tickets to review LEGO Kidsfest as part of the US Family Guide blogger program. No other compensation has been received.***
