Of all the amazing things one can do with LEGO bricks, can they also help save Singapore’s coral reef? As reported by BBC News, a group of scientists from the National University of Singapore are trying to do just that.

About one-third of the total coral reefs in the world are located in Singapore. Coral reefs are a very important part of the underwater ecosystem as they house fish and protect coastlines. Over many years, the coral reef in Singapore has declined due to pollution and other causes.

This is why these scientists are stepping in, using LEGO bricks, in an attempt to save the coral reef. They take bits of coral and then attach them to LEGO bricks. They hope these pieces of coral will then grow into new colonies.

The researchers chose LEGO bricks because of its modular building system. It is very easy to adapt the LEGO bricks to the scale they require. Additionally, using LEGO bricks they are able to grow coral using a vertical farming method to conserve space.

For now, the coral are just being farmed in aquariums. But, the final goal is to be able to take this coral back to the waters of Singapore.

For further information, check out the video from BBC News.

This is a really great use of LEGO bricks, and one that I would have never thought would be possible! I hope the experiments are successful. I wonder if the LEGO bricks will remain in the coral reef in Singapore, or if the researchers will remove them before transplanting the coral back.

What are some other unusual ways you have used LEGO bricks? Let us know in the comments below.

The post Can LEGO Bricks Help Save the Coral Reef in Singapore? appeared first on The Brick Parent.

A new Tweet from The LEGO Group has Adult Fans of LEGO (AFOLs) either closing their eyes or scratching their heads over a video that is possibly promoting illegal LEGO building techniques.

Earlier today, the official LEGO Twitter account Tweeted a video showcasing some amazing building techniques from Jeff Sanders aka @brickbending. These techniques show how LEGO bricks can bend, twist, flex, and create geometric shapes that were once thought to possibly be “illegal.” Take a look at the video below and see for yourself!

This is quite an amazing showcase, but is this evidence that The LEGO Group is allowing illegal building techniques?

What are Illegal LEGO Building Techniques?

Yes, there are LEGO techniques that are considered to be “illegal.” Although, there is not a true consensus on what these might be. As you can see, this Tweet has caused a lot of confusion!

There is not a lot of official guidance on illegal LEGO techniques, but we do have a couple of sources.

LEGO Ideas Knowledge Base

First, the LEGO Ideas Knowledge Base does provide us with a definition of “illegal techniques.” This is in response to a frequently asked question regarding submitting LEGO Ideas sets.

The question is: “Can I use ‘illegal’ LEGO building techniques?” The answer may surprise you!

Yes, unless stated otherwise in the specific contest rules, all building techniques are allowed and will not result in disqualification. Note: “illegal techniques” refers to the LEGO Group’s internal design rules for connecting elements together for stability and to avoid unnecessary stress. LEGO Digital Designer (LDD) only allows legal building techniques in Standard Mode.

– LEGO Ideas Knowledge Base

So, they are saying that all building techniques are allowed, including so called “illegal” ones!

And, we are also provided with a definition of what an illegal technique is! An illegal LEGO technique is one that causes unnecessary stress and instability on the elements. This is the generally accepted definition in the LEGO community.

Another interesting point they make here is that only legal building techniques are allowed in the LEGO Digital Designer (LDD) program. Of note, LDD is no longer supported by LEGO. Its replacement is BrickLink Studio, which also does not support illegal techniques.

Based on this data we can conclude that although illegal techniques technically might be allowed, they are likely frowned upon because they place unnecessary stress on the elements. Additionally, you wouldn’t be able to include them in the most popular LEGO build design software. So, best to avoid them.

An illegal LEGO technique is one that causes unnecessary stress and instability on the elements.

Now we have a working definition of an illegal LEGO building technique! But, what are some examples of illegal techniques? What do illegal builds look like?

Stressing the Elements

Some additional information on this topic comes from Brickmaster Jamie Berard. You may recognize him from the LEGO Masters TV series.

He wrote a presentation called “Stressing the Elements” which provides specific examples of illegal techniques. We encourage you to read through this entire presentation as it is extremely interesting.

Some notable examples of illegal techniques include:

• Not placing LEGO Technic pins in all the way.
• Inserting cones into the bottom of a brick.
• Wedging one brick in-between the studs of another brick.

Check out the presentation for many more!

Again, the theme here is not stressing out the LEGO elements too much. This would shorten the lifespan of the brick and potentially cause build failure. This is not the intended use of the pieces.

Is LEGO Promoting Illegal Building Techniques?

Based on the above analysis, we conclude that they are not by retweeting this video. However, one limitation is that we cannot tell exactly from the video what techniques are being used.

Notwithstanding, it does not appear that these techniques are placing unnecessary stress on the bricks. As you can see in the video, the bricks appear to flow nicely together. They are not falling apart or appear broken. The designs are visually attractive and are in geometrical shapes. And, The LEGO Group is supporting them!

We did Tweet a reply to The LEGO Group asking for clarification. We will keep you updated if they respond.

Do you consider these illegal building techniques? Let us know in the comments below.

The post Is LEGO Promoting Illegal Building Techniques? appeared first on The Brick Parent.

As a lifelong fan of LEGO, I suppose I have always known the correct way to refer to LEGO bricks. I never remember myself calling them “Legos” as a kid. Nobody ever told me the correct way to say it, but I guess I just picked it up from the packaging, LEGO magazine, or advertisements. Of course, writing a LEGO blog, I do my best to refer to LEGO sets and LEGO bricks in the correct manner. Recently, we have seen some very prominent news outlets using the plural form of LEGO incorrectly.

Yes, there is a proper way to refer to more than one LEGO set, and it is not “LEGOs”, or “Lego.” The LEGO Group is very clear on this and has provided guidance. One might assume that there are not true Adult Fans of LEGO (AFOLs) writing for these large media outlets, or they would know how to use the LEGO grammar correctly!

How Do You Say the Plural Form of LEGO Correctly?

Let’s take a look at the evidence from The LEGO Group on how to refer to their wonderful products.

First, there is this great tweet from @pjohanneson asking in a Twitter poll what is the correct plural form of LEGO. Almost 84% of the respondents got it right! In case there was any doubt left in anyone’s mind, The LEGO Group also responded to the tweet!

LEGO is always an adjective. So LEGO bricks, LEGO elements, LEGO sets, etc. Never, ever “legos.”

-The LEGO Group (@LEGO_Group)

Well, there you have it! Debate solved, right? We wish it was that easy! Apparently, not everyone has read this tweet.

Fair Play Policy

The official guidance on how to use copyrights and trademarks can be found in The LEGO Group’s Fair Play Policy. Specifically, see the section titled “Proper Use of the LEGO Trademark on a Web Site.” Here we have summarized the main points.

• LEGO should always be used as an adjective, not as a noun.
• You should never say, “I am going to build with LEGOs.” You should say, “I am going to build with LEGO bricks.”
• You cannot use LEGO in a domain name. That’s why you see LEGO blogs and fan sites usually have the word “brick” in the domain name.

Fair Play Brochure

Furthermore, if that wasn’t clear enough, The LEGO Group provides even more guidance in their Fair Play Brochure. Here are some of the main clarifications.

• LEGO should always be written in all capital letters.
• A noun should always be used after LEGO, such as LEGO sets or LEGO toys.
• Do not add a possessive “s”, plural “s”, or hyphen, such as LEGO’s new releases, play with my LEGOs, or LEGO-sets.

We definitely see LEGO written like “Lego” without all caps, in addition to the plural form of LEGO being used incorrectly.

We hope this post has helped provide some clarification. Now, when you read news or blog articles, you won’t be able to stop spotting these incorrect usages!

The post What is the Plural Form of LEGO? It’s Not “LEGOs” appeared first on The Brick Parent.

Have any old, used LEGO bricks just sitting in a box in the attic? Are you wanting to donate or recycle your old bricks? This is where LEGO Replay comes in! It is a program that allows you to donate your old LEGO bricks to non-profit organizations for children. This program is a partnership of LEGO with Give Back Box, Teach For America, and Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston.

We think this program is really great because it allows more children to be able to play with LEGO bricks. By providing this opportunity, children can learn problem solving, creativity, and teamwork.

How does it work? The LEGO website does a great job of explaining the process. You can also watch the program announcement video below.

Let’s go through the steps in a little more detail:

Box It (Step 1): Collect any LEGO bricks or pieces you want to donate, and place them in a cardboard box.

Print It (Step 2): Then, go to www.lego.com/replay and print out a free UPS shipping label.

Label It (Step 3): Next, place the label on the box.

Ship It (Step 4): Finally, drop the box off in the mail. The box will arrive at the Give Back Box facility. Each brick will be sorted, inspected, and cleaned.

As of today, here are the amount of donations so far. The amount is really amazing!

The LEGO Group has done a great job of improving their sustainability. The Replay program is also in line with their phase-in of paper bags and creation of a prototype recycled brick.

For even more information on this program, take a look at some frequently asked questions (FAQs) below.

FAQs

Where do my LEGO bricks go?

They are donated to organizations such as Teach for America and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston.

What types of LEGO elements can be donated?

Any loose LEGO, DUPLO, or Technic bricks can be donated.

Is there anything that I should not send?

Please do not send sets that are fully built or partially built. You should take all the bricks apart if possible. Do not send any non-LEGO items, storage containers, or electronics even if they are LEGO. Additionally, do not send any batteries unless the item has a button cell battery which can stay in.

Do I need to clean the bricks prior to donating?

No, you do not have to. The bricks will be sorted, inspected, and cleaned at the Give Back Box facility.

What if I am missing bricks, pieces, or instructions from my sets?

The LEGO Group donates full sets with instructions, so your sets do not need to be complete. Large boxes of random bricks are also a lot of fun to play with to come up with your own designs! The box also includes an activity book with some great ideas.

The post Donate and Recycle Your Old Bricks with LEGO Replay appeared first on The Brick Parent.

From kids to adults, and brand new builders to experienced masters, LEGO has something for everyone! At some point, you may need to replace individual LEGO bricks, purchase missing pieces, or buy LEGO bricks in bulk. You may also be hunting for that hard to find brand new LEGO set, or want to add rare or vintage retired sets to your collection. Fortunately, with the popularity of LEGO continuing to increase, there are so many options available to buy almost any LEGO brick or set you are looking for. You may need to have some creativity and patience, but we believe it is possible!

Below we will cover 58 different ways to purchase the LEGO bricks or LEGO sets you may be looking for. We have divided these up into several broad categories. You can click the appropriate link in the table of contents to jump directly to that section.

Buy LEGO Bricks From Those Around You

You don’t have to go very far to find your first buying opportunity. I bet you probably know someone that has LEGO sets sitting around at home collecting dust!

1. Yard Sales

Yard sales or garage sales can be a great opportunity to buy LEGO sets. There is no guarantee they will be for sale, but if you can find some you can score some great deals. You can also find big plastic bins full of LEGO bricks to buy in bulk. If just buying bulk LEGO is your goal, check out our How to Buy Bulk LEGO guide which can help you grow your collection fast!

2. Friends and Family

There is a strong possibility that almost everyone you know has purchased LEGO at some point in their lifetime. Sometimes after kids grow up and move out they may not want their sets anymore. Your friends and family may have boxes of LEGO in the attic! It can’t hurt to ask them and see if they will sell or give them to you for yourself and your kids!

3. Word of Mouth

You can quickly become “the LEGO person” that everyone knows and you might be surprised at how many people will talk to you about LEGO! You don’t have to run a LEGO blog like me, but just try talking about your or your family’s love for LEGO with people you know. The next time they want to get rid of or sell their old LEGO collections they might give you a call!

Official LEGO Shop

Everyone knows about the online LEGO shop and the brick and mortar stores. But, there are also some lesser known ways to buy specific individual bricks or even bricks in bulk both in store and online!

4. LEGO Store

The LEGO Group recently reported their 1H 2021 performance and stated that the total number of LEGO retail stores as of June 30, 2021 was 737. You can click the link above to see if you are lucky enough to live near one. If you do, this is one of the best ways to purchase new releases as long as they have them in stock! While you are there, don’t forget to ask an employee for the free LEGO passport so you can start getting cool stamps from each store you visit.

5. Pick & Build Wall

Inside of each LEGO store there is a wall full of different canisters of bricks, called the “Pick & Build Wall.” The inventory of each wall varies and is changed out from time to time. But, if they have pieces you are interested in, this is a great way to buy bricks in bulk. You can pick from a small or large cup to fill up with bricks as you choose. In May 2021, I was able to experience the pick & build wall during COVID-19 with all of the special precautions.

6. LEGO Shop Online

If you do not happen to live near a LEGO Store, you can always visit the one online! Whether you shop online or in the store, be sure to sign up for the LEGO VIP program so you can take advantage of any special offers, promotions, or gifts with purchase. You will also earn points on your purchases to redeem for special rewards, discounts, or collectable items. For a quick start on finding the best prices on sets check out our guide on how to find LEGO sales and deals.

7. Pick a Brick Online

The online version of the pick & build wall is called “Pick a Brick.” One of the main advantages of this online catalog is the inventory and selection. Currently, there are over 1400 elements to choose from. All of these bricks are individually priced, as opposed to the pick & build wall where there is a set price for a small or large cup. You are able to purchase any quantity from 1 to 999 of each brick. It’s a good idea to at leach purchase enough to meet the minimum free shipping cost. Let’s say you only want to purchase one or two sets online and it isn’t enough to meet the threshold, one strategy is to add one or two pick a bricks to your cart to get free shipping.

8. Bricks & Pieces Online

A lesser known way to buy individual or bulk bricks from LEGO online is called “Bricks & Pieces.” This is part of their customer service section and allows you to replace missing bricks from new sets, replace broken bricks, or purchase replacement bricks. This area of the site works a bit differently because you actually have to enter the set number of the set you want to view the bricks for. Also, the quantity available for purchase only ranges from 1 to 200. Pieces may only be available for recently released sets. If you need bricks for older sets be sure to check out our guide on how to find missing LEGO bricks.

Online LEGO Marketplaces

Being able to buy retired sets, hard to find pieces, bulk items, and pretty much anything else related to LEGO has become a lot easier with the advent of online marketplaces. These are areas where other adult fans of LEGO (AFOL) can sell their items directly to you, and you can have some guarantee that you are receiving official LEGO items as described.

9. BrickLink

BrickLink started in 2000 and is the most well known and trusted online LEGO marketplace. In 2019, it was acquired by the LEGO Group. Even if you are not looking to purchase something, they have a catalog and inventory of basically anything ever made by LEGO and a handy price guide. I have personally placed several orders on this site and have had a great experience.

10. Brick Owl

Brick Owl is probably the second best known LEGO marketplace online. I have not personally used it, but they have an extensive inventory for sale with over 1,600 individual storefronts.

11. BrickScout

BrickScout is a smaller site based in Germany. There are only a handful of storefronts but with a nice user interface.

12. Facebook Marketplace

You can find a lot of great local deals on Facebook Marketplace. Both local pickup and shipping are available. It may take some time and searching to find the deal you are looking for. I have seen bulk bricks, complete sets, minifigs, and everything in-between up for sale.

13. Reddit LEGO Marketplace

Reddit’s LEGO Marketplace subreddit r/Legomarket is a place to buy, sell, swap, or give away LEGO. With over 27,000 members this is a thriving community.

14. Craigslist

Browse local classified advertisements to find almost anything, including LEGO! You never know what bargains you might dig up. Be sure to verify what you are getting and confirm it is an official LEGO product.

15. Etsy

The global online marketplace Etsy sells custom LEGO gifts such as personalized minifigures, and also has LEGO by the pound for sale.

16. Poshmark

Social marketplace Poshmark also has LEGO items such as gear, books, clothes, sets, and bulk brick lots.

17. Nextdoor

Neighborhood networking site Nextdoor is a place where you can browse local listings of items for sale. Frequently, free items are also listed here and if you are lucky enough maybe you can find some LEGO sets or containers full of loose bricks.

18. Bonanza

Bonanza is on online marketplace for entrepreneurs. There is large selection of LEGO items to choose from including loose brick lots, sets, instructions, and more.

Mobile Marketplace Apps

Mobile apps offer a great experience for buying and selling LEGO items. These marketplace applications are very convenient to quickly browse newly listed items and set up alerts for when LEGO lots are posted.

19. OfferUp

This app offers a nice user experience and a quick way to browse LEGO items near you or able to be shipped to you. One of the great features is setting up an alert matching your keywords for when new LEGO listings are posted. We have an in-depth guide to buying bulk LEGO with the OfferUp app which should help you get started.

20. Mercari

LEGO items of all kinds can be found on the Mercari mobile app. You are able to filter search results directly by the brand name which is helpful.

21. Wish

The Wish app allows you to filter results not only by brand but also by subtheme. This makes it easy to browse for specific sets you may be on the lookout for.

Online Auction Websites

Online auctions can be an excellent way to find great deals, rare sets, and large bulk LEGO lots. It takes time to find the right auction and manage your bids appropriately, but it can definitely pay off in the end.

22. eBay

You should check out the largest and most well known auction site, eBay, when looking for bulk LEGO lots or specific sets. Pay attention to the shipping costs and place your bids wisely!

23. Catawiki

Weekly auctions are offered at Catawiki, which the most visited curated marketplace in Europe. They have many different bulk LEGO lots up for auction.

24. LiveAuctioneers

An eBay alternative, LiveAuctioneers has a handful of LEGO lots up for auction.

Retail Stores

Other than the official LEGO store, another main option to purchase new LEGO sets are through other retailers. In general, they have a large selection and you can find items on discount, sale, or clearance. They are also more accessible and in more locations. In fact, over half of our list is made up of these retail stores. We have further subdivided them up into different sections based on their type.

Online Retailers

For online LEGO shop alternatives, turn to these online retailers. Sometimes you can find sets on a discount and have another place to check if sets are hard to find or are on backorder.

25. Amazon

Amazon has a great selection of new sets, and frequently has items listed for less than the retail price. You can also find some bulk LEGO lots for sale from their third party sellers. If you have Amazon prime the shipping may also be faster than ordering directly from the LEGO Store.

26. Zavvi

I have only recently heard of the online retailer Zavvi. They frequently have LEGO sets on sale and you can find some good deals.

27. Vitacost

Vitacost is a discount online health food retailer, but they also have a relatively large selection of new LEGO sets for sale.

28. StockX

StockX is similar to an online marketplace where buyers and sellers are brought together, but they also independently verify each item. They are well known for sneakers, but they also have many different old and new LEGO sets. There are a lot of highly coveted retired sets listed here as well.

General Merchandise Retailers

These big box retailers carry almost everything, LEGO sets included! Even if you find yourself shopping for something else, at least stop by the clearance section to see if you can pick up some LEGO on a discount.

29. Walmart

Walmart is a great place to buy new LEGO sets. Their online store also has bulk LEGO for sale from third party retailers, but beware these are typically way overpriced. A fair price to buy LEGO bricks is typically anywhere from $5 to $10 a pound and it’s likely you won’t find that price here.

30. Target

Another great retailer with a large selection of LEGO is Target. We also have had great luck with finding discounts, such as LEGO Dots on Clearance and sales on many different themes such as LEGO Star Wars, Art, Harry Potter, and Ninjago.

31. Kmart

There are only a handful of Kmart stores still open, but if one is closing near you it might be worthwhile to look for some LEGO closeout sales.

Warehouse Clubs

Even the wholesale membership clubs will have LEGO sets, typically listed for less than the retail price. You should check for these items around the holidays and whenever you see lots of new toys on the shelves.

32. Costco

I am a member at Costco and have taken advantage of the great LEGO sets on sale. Recently we have found sales on many different themes including LEGO Super Mario, Star Wars, and Marvel; and even LEGO Technic and Friends. Costco is also a wonderful place to do some early Christmas shopping and save on LEGO Advent Calendars. Even though you can’t buy individual bricks, you can expand your bulk LEGO collection with LEGO 10717 Classic Bricks Bricks Bricks which is typically available for purchase all year.

33. Sam’s Club

Another wholesale retailer with new LEGO sets for sale is Sam’s Club. I am not currently a member here, but the shopping experience is similar to Costco.

Department Stores

The toy section at department stores is a nice area to look for LEGO sets. You never know what they might have in their clearance section, or if they brought out some retired sets in the back to the floor for sale. So while you are out shopping for clothes, it’s worth it to take a peek. Besides, you can’t go shopping with your kids without stopping at the toy section anyway, right?

34. Kohl’s

Kohl’s stores have a nice toy area typically in the back right corner. I’ve seen sets on clearance here before and also some on sale. Can you use Kohl’s Cash for LEGO items? Yes, you can! Although, this brand is excluded in the fine print for other promotional offers and discounts.

35. Macy’s

LEGO toys and sets can be found at Macy’s, and you should search their clearance and sale areas as well, such as Backstage and The Last Act. I have also found cute LEGO Kid’s clothes on sale here also.

36. JCPenney

I have been surprised to find LEGO clearance sales at JCPenney before, so stop by the next time you go shopping at the mall.

37. Sears

Sears stores are continuing to close down but you can check for any last minute LEGO deals.

Consumer Electronics Retailers

Even electronics stores are in on the LEGO craze!

38. Best Buy

Surprisingly, Best Buy has great deals on LEGO sets, frequently offering discounts from up to 30% or more.

Pharmacy Stores

Add some LEGO items to your pharmacy bill the next time you stop by.

39. Walgreens

Walgreens has a small toy area but it’s worth checking out. For example, I recently found the coveted new LEGO Marvel collectable minifigures in stock there, after being sold out everywhere else I looked.

Book Stores

Booksellers sell a lot more than books, including toys and collectables. Not everybody thinks to look there for LEGO sets, so they are top place to discover rare or hard to find sets.

40. Barnes & Noble

You will find a great selection and inventory of LEGO sets at Barnes & Noble. They carry a lot of new releases and seasonal items such as the LEGO Advent Calendars. If you have a keen eye, you can even find the occasional retired set. I have seen retired LEGO Harry Potter and LEGO Toy Story 4 sets on the shelves.

41. Books-A-Million

This book store also carries some LEGO sets, although the selection does not seem to be that large.

Arts and Crafts Stores

LEGO is a great hands on building project, so it is not that unusual to think that hobby stores would have them on the shelves.

42. Michaels

Michaels has a significant inventory of new LEGO sets which you can purchase online or in stores.

43. Jo-Ann

JOANN Fabric and Craft Stores has a substantial collection of LEGO sets for sale. They even have a nice Classroom Decor section with things like LEGO brick desk drawers and shelves.

44. HobbyTown

Another arts and crafts store with LEGO for sale is HobbyTown. Their website doesn’t appear to be up to date (a lot of retired sets are still listed), so you will need to check in the store for what is available.

Discount Retailers

These LEGO shopping trips are a lot of hit and miss as the inventory is very unpredictable. However, you can find retired sets, amazing sales, and wonderful deals you cannot find elsewhere.

45. Nordstrom Rack

Nordstrom Rack has a small toy section in the back where LEGO sets have been known to show up.

46. TJ Maxx

It might take several different trips to find LEGO sets on sale here, but if you do they will probably be for a great price.

47. Marshalls

The same as above applies to Marshalls as they are both owned by the same parent company.

48. Tuesday Morning

It is not very frequent, but LEGO products can also be found at Tuesday Morning, where new inventory is added weekly.

49. Ross

Ross is another discount clothing store where you can hunt for LEGO deals.

50. Big Lots

In the past, Big Lots has been known to have great deals on LEGO Dimensions. They still have a descent selection of LEGO sets which you can find on sale.

51. Five Below

It is not guaranteed to always find LEGO products at Five Below, but if you do they will be for a great price.

52. Dollar General

Dollar General has LEGO sets, but keep in mind they may be on sale for the actual retail price.

53. Thrift Stores

If you are feeling lucky, it is possible to find LEGO at your local thrift store. It is highly likely that you will not find individual sets here and the pieces will not be inventoried. But, you can find bags of bulk LEGO this way. Check your locally owned thrift store, or there is also Goodwill or The Salvation Army.

Specialty Stores

Specialty stores are those that focus on selling a particular type of product. This can also include LEGO!

54. Disney Store

Many standalone brick and mortar Disney Stores have closed, however you can still shop online. In addition, some Target stores have Disney Stores already opened up inside of them, with more on the way. The Disney Stores will only carry some of their branded products, but with their partnership with LEGO on their Disney, Star Wars, and Marvel themes there are many sets to choose from. In fact, I recently found a retired LEGO Star Wars set at one of the last remaining Disney Stores.

55. Bricks & Minifigs Stores

Bricks & Minifigs is an aftermarket LEGO shop where you can buy, sell, and trade anything LEGO. They have bulk bricks, minifigures, and new and retired LEGO sets. With locations across the US, you might have one near you!

56. Boutique Toy Store

There is a strong possibility that your local boutique toy store sells LEGO. Support small businesses and shop locally!

57. Toys R Us

Growing up, I loved the LEGO section in Toys R Us because it was huge! Toys R Us is making a comeback and is opening up shop-in-shops in over 400 Macy’s stores starting in 2022. It will be interesting to see what kind of a LEGO selection they have.

Supermarket Chains

58. Grocery Stores

Add a LEGO set or two to your food purchase at grocery stores such as Ralphs, Kroger, and Meijer. Check the toy section but also look at the ends of the food aisles as sometimes toys on sale can hide out there.

With the ubiquity and popularity of LEGO, there are so many different options to buy LEGO bricks and sets. No matter where you go, keep a close eye out for those sales, deals, and rare finds. We hope that this list helps you complete that LEGO set with missing parts, or allow you to discover that hard to find set in time for a birthday party or holiday. We would love to know if your favorite way to buy LEGO is not listed here. Let us know in the comments and we will add it!

The post 58 Ways to Buy LEGO Bricks and LEGO Sets appeared first on The Brick Parent.

You may have seen or heard of the new meme sweeping LEGO searches. “Don’t Google Lego piece 26047.” What exactly does this mean? What does part 26047 have to do with anything? Let’s take a look at this meme and see what is really going on!

What is LEGO Piece 26047?

LEGO brick 26047 is just a regular LEGO part. According to BrickLink, this part appears in 403 sets, 17 minifigures, 14 parts, and 1 gear. It is not a rare or even uncommon item by any means. There are over 1.1 million of them on sale on BrickLink with a price of $0.01.

If you are like me, you may have recognized this part from many of the different LEGO Star Wars droids. It helps make up their feet! Here is Gonky the Gonk Droid from LEGO Star Wars 75314 The Bad Batch Attack Shuttle. Although, this fact has nothing to do with this meme!

What Does This Meme Mean?

This meme will only make sense to you if you are one of the millions of players of the popular online game, Among Us. In this game, players are randomly assigned one of two random roles: Crewmate or Imposter. I am not a player of this game, but apparently LEGO piece 26047 looks like an Imposter.

It makes more sense when you look at this comparison below. I can see the resemblance.

The players of this game tell each other to not Google Lego piece 26047, which is basically code for saying they are actually in fact an Imposter. It’s a pretty cleaver trick and shows how LEGO can show up anywhere, even as a meme in an online game!

The post Why You Should Not Google LEGO Part 26047 appeared first on The Brick Parent.

Most of the LEGO Stores are now open, including the Pick-a-Brick Wall! Recently, I was able to visit a few LEGO stores in the Southwestern United States, specifically at Fashion Show in Las Vegas, NV, Downtown Disney District at Disneyland in Anaheim, CA, and Ontario Mills in Ontario, CA. Visiting the LEGO store during COVID-19 was safe and easy! You can read all about the precautions and strict safety measures the LEGO Group is taking on their COVID-19 update page.

The stores did a great job with taking precautions and were strict with enforcement. Make sure to check out my experience with the Pick-a-Brick Wall below!

Store Capacity is Limited

The number of guests the store allows inside at any given time is limited. There is plenty of space inside to keep everyone socially distanced.

There are waiting lines outside with social distancing markers. Every store had a wait, but it wasn’t very long. The staff also checks that everyone is wearing a mask before they allow the customers to enter the store.

The waiting line (or standby line) at Downtown Disney District at Disneyland (pictured above), was the longest and wrapped around the building to the right, about halfway to the restrooms. There was also a more fancy sign located here. I’m not sure why it is “good news” that there is a standby line, other than it’s a good thing to take COVID precautions. The line looked sort of intimidating, but it moved fast. There was also no time limit as to how long you could stay inside and I was able to browse at my leisure.

Mask Wearing is Required

All of the employees were wearing masks, and the customers are required to wear masks as well. There was an employee at the entrance to each store enforcing the mask requirement. Capacity was low enough inside each store to easily achieve social distancing.

Pick-a-Brick Wall is Open

I was surprised to see that the Pick-a-Brick Wall was open! I was able to take advantage of this with the COVID-19 precautions.

Is it called Pick-a-Brick or Pick & Build? Regardless, it was great to have this feature back! Check out the COVID-19 guidelines below.

A strict set of guidelines is posted in order to use the Pick-a-Brick wall. The employees did a good job of explaining the process. There was also a time limit of 15 minutes if there was someone waiting behind you to do their picking. You can see the rules on the clipboard in the picture above, and they are also copied below.

Pick & Build Guidelines

• Please keep your mask up above your nose and mouth at all times while shopping our assortment of bricks.
• Only one person/family at a time can access the wall. Limit 3 people for one family.
• We do have to limit the time you’re picking to 15 minutes so we have time to clean and prepare for the next family.
• Please do not put your hands in the wall, instead use these fancy amazing tongs or scooper, whichever you prefer they’re sanitized and ready for you.
• Here is some sanitizer for your hands before and after we start. If you are unable to reach something please let us know, we have additional tongs and scoopers we can use to get what you need.
• Finally, have fun!!

Above you can see the tongs and/or the scooper which are used to pick the bricks you need. Additionally, there was a box of disposable gloves which you can use. It is not mentioned in the rules, but it is also an option. I chose to use the gloves as I wanted to pick a few of each brick.

There are two different sizes of cups to choose from. It is a set price of $8.99 for the small, and $15.99 for the large, no matter how many bricks you can fit inside. Strategy is key to get the most for your money!

I decided to go with the large cup, and start by filling it with smaller pieces, as the bottom of the cup is not completely flat. Then, I placed the larger pieces in until it was almost full, then topped it off with smaller pieces, some of which can fall down into the cup to fill up the cracks. I was pretty satisfied with this strategy!

The Pick-a-Brick Wall at Disneyland. There is a great LEGO sculpture of Baby Yoda in his hover pod!

The LEGO Store at Downtown Disneyland had a nice selection of bricks on their wall. As you can see, there are also COVID-19 precautions in place, but the wall is open.

Play Tables and Other Events are Still Closed

Not surprisingly, building demos, events, and play tables are still closed. There is no word on when these might reopen.

Visiting the LEGO Store During COVID-19

Visiting the LEGO store during COVID-19 felt safe, and was a lot of fun! After not visiting a LEGO store for over a year, it was great to be back! Have you visited a LEGO store lately, or went to the Pick-a-Brick Wall? Tell us about your experience in the comments!

The post I Went to the LEGO Store During COVID-19: Here’s Everything You Need to Know appeared first on The Brick Parent.

Which method do you use when sorting LEGO bricks? How long does it take you to find a specific LEGO brick or specialty piece you are looking for? More than a couple of minutes? Do you have to dump your entire collection out onto the floor to search for a missing piece?

If you are answering yes to any of these questions, you are sorting your LEGO bricks incorrectly. Yes, it is possible to do so. I also was sorting them incorrectly for almost 30 years. This guide will examine why most of us are sorting our LEGO bricks incorrectly and what do to about it. We will examine if your collection is sorted wrong (it probably is), and why you should take the time and effort to sort it correctly. Believe it or not, you will save time in the long run.

You are Sorting LEGO Bricks Wrong

First, we need to examine your LEGO collection and determine if it is sorted incorrectly. Take a look at the images below.

Top clues to determine if you can sort your bricks more effectively:

LEGO bricks are not sorted at all and are stored all together in a large container. At least the container is transparent.

LEGO bricks are sorted by color. An attempt was made to sort by brick, but this is still very inefficient.

The worst of them all. What is even stored in here? There are too many boxes and cannot even tell what is inside.

Why You are Sorting LEGO Wrong

If your LEGO collection looks like one of those above, it’s not you’re fault! In all the years of collecting LEGO, no one ever told us the correct way to sort them. The majority of LEGO is purchased in sets, which come in pre-sorted bags in the order of how to build the set. Unless you are planning on displaying the built set, or sort your collection by sets, you need a good way to sort the bricks.

Sorting your LEGO bricks takes some time, planning, and adequate space for storage, so unfortunately, the path of least resistance is to throw all of your loose bricks into a plastic bin and hope for the best. This method makes it extremely inefficient to find the exact brick you are looking for, as most of the time is spent digging through a huge pile of bricks.

Why You Should Take the Time to Sort LEGO Right

Putting the initial investment of time to sort your LEGO bricks correctly is well worth it. There are many benefits of doing so:

• You will only have to sort your collection once. Digging through a large plastic bin or pile of bricks on the floor will be a thing of the past. Think about how many times you saw the same brick over and over, and not the one you were looking for.
• You can find the needed brick in a matter of seconds. This will save a lot of time in the long run.
• Your LEGO brick inventory will be much easier to keep track of. You will know much more efficiently which bricks you have, but also which ones you are missing.
• Find missing bricks from your existing sets. It will be much easier to find those one of a kind pieces to complete a missing set.

LEGO Parts Categories

The BrickLink Catalog currently lists over 16,700 sets, 65,400 parts, and 13,000 minifigures. Therefore, you can see why it is important to have a sorting strategy.

BrickLink further breaks the parts down into the following categories:

The sheer amount of categories can feel overwhelming. Before we start to make sense of it, let’s dive in a bit further. The best way to sort LEGO is by part, which is further broken down by size. The three main categories of parts you will be dealing with will be bricks, plates, and decorated pieces.

LEGO Brick Categories

LEGO “bricks” refer to the standard size bricks, and can be categorized by their size based on the number of “studs” each brick has. Studs are the name for the small bumps on top of each piece.

The major brick categories are the following:

As you can see, the bricks are named in the order of Width by Length by Height. The units of the width and length are in studs, whereas the units off the height are in bricks. For example, a 1 x 2 x 3 brick is 1 stud wide, 2 studs long, and 3 bricks high.

LEGO Plate Categories

LEGO “plates” are like thinner versions of the LEGO bricks. I like to refer to them as “flat” bricks. They can also be categorized by their size based on the number of “studs.”

The major plate categories are the following:

The plates are named in the order of Width by Length. The units of the width and length are in studs. Notice that all of the plates are the same height, which is one-third the height of a brick. Therefore, three plates stacked on top of each other equal the height of one brick.

Decorated Parts

The last main category of bricks to sort are the ones with decorations. You may have noticed that many of the categories have “decorated” in their name. This refers to LEGO bricks and pieces with decorations, patterns, or stickers on them. It is important to sort these pieces separately, as they can be hard to find amongst the solid color bricks. Many of the decorated parts are small 1 x 1 or 1 x 2 tiles.

Different Methods to Sort LEGO

There are many different ways to sort LEGO bricks. A few of them are described at the beginning of this article. Take a look at these methods in more detail below.

Sorting LEGO Bricks All Together

This method guarantees that you will have a very difficult time finding the part that you need. This method is basically taking all of your bricks and putting them in the same large plastic storage bin. Finding the part that you need entails digging around in the large bin, becoming frustrated, and eventually dumping the bricks out onto the floor. There is a better way!

Sorting by Color

This is another method that seems like an improvement, but it is not much better than sorting the bricks all together. This method involves sorting all the bricks of the same color together, without regards to size, shape, or type. This method might work for colors where you don’t have a lot of bricks, but for the larger colors such as black, grey, or white, it doesn’t work very well. It is still difficult to find smaller or decorated pieces.

Sorting by Set

This is a great way to sort LEGO if you are able to accomplish it. The easiest way is to keep the sets separate as you purchase them, and store each set separately. The downside is that this method can take up quite a bit of storage space.

Sorting by Part

In our opinion, this is the best way to sort LEGO. The method involves taking all pieces of the same part and sorting them together, without regards to color. For example, this means taking all of the 1 x 2 bricks of any color and sorting them together. You do not have to use all of the parts categories listed above, but you may find it helpful to use a fair amount of them. The main downside of this method is that it requires a large amount of time to do the sorting, but as described above, it is well worth it.

The Best Way to Sort LEGO

In conclusion, the best method of sorting LEGO is by part! If you are sorting your bricks wrong, now you don’t have to worry! We hope you have found this comprehensive guide to sorting LEGO helpful. Let us know in the comments what method you use.

The post Biggest Mistakes When Sorting LEGO and How to Fix Them appeared first on The Brick Parent.

When you are attempting to grow your LEGO collection, it can be challenging to find bulk LEGO bricks at a great price. You can buy multiples of different new LEGO sets to build your collection of bulk LEGO pieces, but this will quickly become expensive. Other than buying existing sets, there are many different strategies you can deploy. These include purchasing from Ebay, Amazon, or BrickLink which we cover in our post of How to Buy Bulk LEGO.

For a more in-depth guide to the world of buying LEGO, check out our post on 58 Ways to Buy LEGO Bricks and LEGO Sets.

One of the best strategies we recommend is buying bulk LEGO by the pound. The easiest and cheapest way to do this is to purchase sets locally. However, it can be difficult to find local sellers if you don’t want to drive to every yard sale within a 100 mile radius. Luckily, buy & sell apps like OfferUp make this process a lot quicker and easier. This post will provide a guide of how to buy bulk LEGO bricks specifically using OfferUp. Personally, we have had a lot of success with this app and have purchased over 100 lbs of LEGO. But before we dive in to the guide, let’s examine the benefits of expanding your LEGO collection using bulk bricks.

Benefits of Buying Bulk LEGO Bricks

There are many reasons why you should consider purchasing LEGO bricks in bulk:

• It is the best way to rapidly expand your LEGO collection.
• You will have enough pieces to build ideas from the best LEGO books or for your own MOCs (my own creations).
• It is easier to find sets and minifigures at a great price.
• You can find discontinued sets, plates, and pieces.
• You are recycling LEGO to be enjoyed by the next generation.
• It is a lot of fun to search through pounds of bricks to find hidden treasures and parts of sets you can make.

Although there are a lot of benefits, there are a few things to look out for when purchasing bricks in bulk.

Things to Look Out For When Buying Bulk LEGO

• All of the bricks may not be 100% genuine LEGO. Be sure to read the description carefully, examine the photos in detail, and ask the seller if you have any questions.
• It can be time consuming to sort through thousands of different LEGO pieces.
• You’ll need some patience and sleuthing skills to figure out what sets your new pieces belong to.
• Many bulk LEGO lots do not include minifigures, instructions, or original boxes.

Make sure to carefully consider what you are buying, and don’t pay too much!

OfferUp App Walkthrough

Let’s explore how to go about buying LEGO in bulk using a great buy & sell app called OfferUp. OfferUp is not a sponsor of this post. It’s just that we have had a lot of success with this app and wanted to share!

Download the OfferUp App

The first step is to visit the App Store, Google Play Store, or OfferUp.com to download the app.

Sign Up or Log In

Next, sign up for a new account or log in to your existing account.

Set Location, Search Terms, and Sort Results

Set your location by zip code or using phone GPS. Choose your preferred delivery method and distance.

Set your preferred search term. Using a broad term like “lego” will show the maximum results.

Sort and filter the search results. Newest (default) will show the most recent listings first.

Set a LEGO Search Alert

Click the bell icon in the upper right corner to save a search alert. You will receive a push notification when new LEGO items are posted.

Look Through Search Results for Bulk LEGO Lots

Look through the pictures of the search results. To find bulk LEGO lots, look for pictures of piles of loose pieces or plastic containers filled with bricks.

Make an Offer!

Once you find a listing you like for a great price, you can ask the seller for more information or make an offer. If your offer is accepted, you can message the seller directly within the app to coordinate the sale.

Grow Your Collection

Congratulations! Using buy and sell apps like OfferUp is a great way to increase the amount of LEGO bricks in your collection. We hope that you are able to find some great deals and have even more fun building ideas and creations with your family. Let us know in the comments your strategies for growing your LEGO collection and how this guide has worked for you!

The post Guide to Buying Bulk LEGO Bricks Using the OfferUp App appeared first on The Brick Parent.

Hopefully your LEGO storage looks more like the right of the picture than the left. However, it is not uncommon that LEGO bricks are stored in multiple containers with no easy way to see what is inside! This post will cover the best solutions for LEGO storage. Included are some of our favorite storage containers and solutions.

IRIS Storage Solutions

IRIS is a great brand for your storage needs. We have several of the below storage containers for organizing our collection. The latched lids are great for kids to carry around so the bricks don’t fall out.

6-Case Activity Chest with Organizer Top

This activity chest by IRIS comes with 6 removable multicolored cases. Each of these cases has an attached lid. The lid latches on well for easy transport and to keep the LEGO bricks from falling out. The assorted colors are nice for a children’s room or toy room. We have one of these units in our LEGO room and it works very well. I like that the cases slide in and out easily.

2-Piece Sorting Tray Dividing Set

These sorting trays by IRIS come in a set of two. They fit perfectly inside the above activity cases. They are very helpful to sort and store accessories, small bricks, or one-of-a-kind pieces. We have a set of these which we use to sort minifigure accessories, bricks with decorations or patterns, and vehicle accessories, such as steering wheels.

6-Case Scrapbook Cart with Organizer Top

This scrapbook cart by IRIS also comes with 6 removable cases. The cases are clear, but the outside tower comes in white or black. These cases are larger than the ones in the activity chest above. Therefore, they will not fit the sorting trays as well. However, the larger case size allows a lot more LEGO bricks to fit inside. The cases latch well so the bricks cannot fall out. We also have one of these in our LEGO room.

10-Drawer Cart with Organizer Top

This storage cart by IRIS comes with 10 drawers. Each drawer has plastic tabs in the back to prevent it from falling out, but they are also removable by pressing the sides in pulling the drawer out. Adult assistance would be required to remove the drawer. We have one of these carts in our LEGO room. We use it to store wheels and other larger items such as plates. The cart also comes in 4-drawer and 7-drawer sizes.

Storage Cabinets

Storage cabinets with drawers of varying sizes are a great way to sort smaller bricks or pieces.

44-Drawer Storage Hardware and Craft Cabinet

This storage cabinet by Akro-Mils comes with 44-drawers. Only 8 small drawer dividers and 4 large drawer dividers are included, but not all storage cabinets have the ability to support dividers. Storage cabinets like these are great for LEGO storage. Be sure to store it in a place where it can’t fall over! We don’t have one of these yet in our LEGO room, but it is on our list! They come in many different sizes, such as 24-drawer and 64-drawer.

Storage Containers

Storage containers are great for storing complete sets, instruction manuals, and bricks with decorations or patterns. They come in many different sizes and are stackable. We like to store several smaller containers inside the larger ones to stay even more organized!

6-Quart/5.7 Liter Storage Boxes

These small storage boxes by Sterilite are great to store individual LEGO sets, instruction manuals, or loose bricks. You can even stack and store several small boxes together in a larger box. They are clear which makes it convenient to see what is stored inside. We have several of these in our collection for storing complete LEGO sets.

We hope that these LEGO storage solutions help organize your collection! Let us know in the comments what your favorite storage solutions are!

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