6 Things to Do With LEGOs
If you get excited by the sound of a new LEGO box being ripped open, or are giggling with delight when you start to separate LEGOs by color and shape, then take the extra step. We all know of the versatility of the miracle bricks, but we take it up a notch to help you show off your true inner LEGO nerd! Warm up your glue gun and roll up your sleeves, here are ideas on things to do with LEGOs that can inspire you to be crafty.
Picture Frame
Combining crafting and LEGO building creates bonding moments with your kids away from iPhones and television. A great first project is designing your own LEGO picture frame. There are tons of LEGO KITS out there available at your local LEGO store, but you can also create your own. Here are the steps for a simple frame, but you can totally go crazy with this craft.
Tools needed: glue for plastic, wooden picture frame about 6×8 inches with a frame width of about ¾ inches (IKEA), 17 2×4 bricks, and 4 2×3 bricks. Choose your colors, add more LEGOs to your design. This is a base design.
Step 1: Sort out the bricks on the frame before applying the glue.
Step 2: Glue.
Step 3: Get super crafty and add more LEGOs on top of the frame bricks to personalize your creation.
Step 4: Let dry for a day and insert your lovely family picture.
Bricksworld, #05-15A Ngee Ann City Podium Block, 391 Orchard Road, Singapore 238872, p. +65 6734 5512. Open Daily 10:30am-9:30pm.
LEGO comes in so many colors and your wardrobe always needs some new accessories. Craft yourself some fashionista jewels with you as the chief designer. Follow these easy bracelet, necklace, and earring crafts to outfit your wardrobe. Here are quick and easy directions on blinging out with LEGOs for additional flair.
Bracelet
An inventive design that will likely be the envy of all your friends, this is a crafty-craft that requires drilling precision, but the payoff is your own LEGO-work of handcrafted jewelry.
Tools needed: 12 1×2 bricks in your color choice, 24 1×1 round plates, stretchy plastic string, and a drill with a 1/16 bit.
Step 1: Cut two pieces of stretchy plastic string to fit your wrist.
Step 2: Drill two incisions on the topside of the 1×2 brick right in the center of both of the raised LEGO logos (called a “Stud” in LEGO lingo.) Do the same for all 12 1×2 bricks.
Step 3: Drill one hole in the center of the tiny 1×1 round plates. Continue to drill until all 24 are complete.
Step 4: Start stringing using the plastic string. Use one 1x 2 brick followed by 2 of the 1×1 round plates. Continue until all the bricks have been used then tie a knot.
Step 5: Do the same stringing on the other side of the brick. Tie a final knot.
Beads.Etc, #03-27, Orchard Central, 181 Orchard Road, Singapore 238896, p. +65 6734 6136. Open Mon-Thur 11am-8am, Fri-Sat 11am-9pm and Sun 12pm-8pm.
Necklace
A great thing about LEGOs is that you can build, brick by brick, something that personally reflects you. This is a simple recipe for a necklace, but go the extra mile by adding more bricks or pieces to enhance your work of art.
Tools needed: a colorful brick of your choice, a drill with a 1/16 bit, 4 jump rings, chain, clasp/closures for the chain, and needle nose pliers. Glue (for plastic) could be desired if you want to use more than one brick on your design. Glue additional bricks to your starter brick.
Step 1: Drill two holes on one side of your brick, at each end.
Step 2: Cut two pieces of chain to your desired length.
Step 3: Loop one jump ring through each hole of the brick with one end of the chain. Securely close jump ring using your needle nose pliers.
Step 4: Attach the closure to jump rings and attach to the other end of the chain. Use needle nose pliers to secure closure.
Voila! Your necklace is ready to wear!
Spotlight, Level 5 Plaza Singapura, 68 Orchard Road, Singapore 0000, p. +65 6733 9808. Open daily 10am-10pm.
Earrings
Wearable LEGOs are not complete without earrings. This crafty project is perfect for those rainy Singapore days. It is super simple and super quick, so once you get started, you may find yourself making several pairs.
Tools needed: glue for plastic, one set of earring posts (available at your local craft store) and your favorite dainty LEGO brick. We suggest the flower head LEGO for some pretty flower power. We love it to make sweet little gifts of creativity to share with your friends.
Step1: Glue the post to your LEGO.
Step 2: Let the glue rest for a day and you are done. Ready to wear.
Koiming, #01-00 CMO Building, 50 South Bridge Road, Singapore 058682, p. +65 6533 0096. Open Mon-Fri 9am-6:30pm & Sat 9am-6pm. [Closed Sun.] Shop online or visit in person for your creative needs.
Chess Game
May the force be with you! This is where we go from crafty to flat out nerdy. Chess becomes a war between forces of Dark and Light, and the LEGO universe is filled with a wide array of mini-figure sets from which to staff your armies. How about Star Wars vs Super Heros or Lord of the Rings vs LEGO Castle? Imagine using Princess Leia as the Queen and Storm Troopers for pawns? The creative combinations are endless!
Tools needed: cut out a piece of 12×12 inch thick cardboard, 4 sheets of construction paper in two colors, scissors, a ruler, and glue. Choose your chess pieces (16 for each player) and a 2×2 brick for each of the Chess characters. This helps the mini-figures keep their balance.
Step 1: Cut out cardboard.
Step 2: Cut out 1.5 inch squares using the construction paper, making 32 squares of each color.
Step 3: Glue colored squares in alternating colors. It should be 8 rows and 8 columns.
Step 4: Review your Chess pieces to identify what LEGO mini-figure will be playing each position, with the mini figure sitting on the 2×2 brick.
Let the games begin!
Toys R Us, #03-03/25 Forum the Shopping Mall, 583 Orchard Road, Singapore 238884, p. +65 6235 4322. Open Daily 10am-10pm.
Christmas Ornaments
With Christmas jolly right around the corner, why not start now to get crafty and decorate your tree with your love of LEGO? Use your imagination to make a Santa sleigh or buy these nifty Christmas ornament kits, all available at your local LEGO store. Get some glue to make sure your work of art stays together, and tie colorful string around ’em to hang your art on the tree. Building your own Christmas ornaments is super easy to do! Who knew that clever fun for the holiday season comes at only 10 bucks a pop? It’s a steal!
ToysHunt, 1 Kim Seng Promenade, #03-26 Great World City, Singapore 237994, p. +65 6333 6936. Open Daily 11am-9:30pm.