Lego Afternoons
In celebration of my first professional development seminar, I’m writing my first post on after school programs for school aged children. Last year I secured funding to run a Lego Club. For more information on what you need and what to buy, click here to view PUBYAC’s archives of “Lego Compilation.”
No matter what the age of children, all of my programs from babies to teens are book-based. The children always listen to a story before we do an activity…even with my Lego Club. At first, I thought the kids would moan and groan about a story but luckily I was wrong! I invite the children to sit on carpet squares and settle down while I read a story. I mix in fiction, non-fiction, and conceptual stories and when I’m done reading I give them the Top Secret Lego Challenge of the Day. I’ve been doing this program for the past year and I don’t think I’ll ever run out of ideas! Here’s my “syllabus” so you can share with your kids. And if you live in Connecticut and are planning on attending CLA on Monday, April 29, 2013, please come to my seminar to get more school aged programming ideas!
(Note: I assign each child a number at the beginning of each Lego session. I get their parent’s email address and email the photo of their creation each week. We’re a small library and I don’t have room to display their pieces. We have to break everything down and clean up at the end of each club meeting.)
Book to Read | Top Secret Lego Challenge |
Pirate Girl | anything piratey |
Birds by Kevin Henkes | something that flies |
21 Elephants | bridge |
Are You a Horse? | animal |
Hot Rod Hamster | something with wheels |
Baby Brains and Robo Mom | robot |
I Need My Monster | monster |
Aliens are Coming | something from outer space |
Balloons Over Broadway | something in a parade |
Hannah’s Collections | create a baggie/cup and have them build using only those pieces |
Squirrel’s New Year’s Resolution | something new |
All You Need For a Snowman | something snowy |
Miss Brooks Loves Books | something from your favorite book |
Green by Laura Seeger | something monochromatic |
My Heart is Like a Zoo | a shape (or something Valentine’s Day) |
Goldilocks and the 3 Dinosaurs | fairy tale |
13 Words by Lemony Snicket | a letter or a word |
I Spy Under the Sea | sea creature |
You Are What You Eat | an expression |
Muncha, Muncha, Muncha | something for spring |
Duck or Rabbit | something that can be two things |
Except If | something not as it seems |







