Helping Your Little One with Their First LEGO® DUPLO® Build

It’s time to tackle your child’s first LEGO® DUPLO® build! Here’s how to get the most out of making magical worlds together from the get-go this Christmas…

Ahhh, the most wonderful time of the year. Mariah is playing for the 5,000th time, the lights are sparkling and little ones are playing with new toys they unwrapped on Christmas day. If they’ve been very good, Santa might have left LEGO DUPLO sets under the tree – but how can parents and guardians help preschoolers on their journey?

1) Getting Started with Simple Builds

If there’s one thing we know about kids, it’s that they almost never pick the easy route. Why start with a tower when they could aim for the Empire State Building? But starting with something small can work wonders for their confidence. By building it up and smashing it down (AKA the fun part), they’ll start to figure out how their new toy works.

Tip: Begin with simple LEGO DUPLO sets. Let children handle the pieces without too much guidance – even the action of stacking and pulling apart blocks helps to build essential motor skills.

2) Learning Through Play with LEGO® DUPLO® Sets

LEGO DUPLO sets aren’t just fun – they secretly sneak in essential life skills, too! Who knew that stacking blocks could mean a crash course in fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination and even early math? Before long, little builders become mini engineers, tossing around terms like “symmetry” and “structural integrity” between snack breaks.

3) Hands-on Tips for Building Together

Balancing tall builds or coming up with wild brick patterns adds a whole new challenge for kids – and an extra bit of “will it topple?” suspense! They’ll start experimenting, stacking colors in fancy sequences, or trying every shape combo under the sun. Minimal help from adults lets them feel like true building masterminds but a few gentle nudges – like “What do you think will happen if we stick this block here?” – can keep things on track (and prevent the great LEGO DUPLO avalanche of 2024).

4) Weaving in Storytelling

Is the brick tower they’re building an EPIC castle full of knights and princesses? Is the stack of blue bricks a fast-flowing waterfall in a crazy jungle? All kids love stories – and introducing a narrative can add a little (or a lot) of extra excitement. Stories activate their imagination and give their build a purpose.

5) Incorporating Play Themes that Spark Their Interest

Kids’ interests can really vary. From unicorns to the solar system, the options are endless. Choosing a LEGO DUPLO set that aligns with a child’s natural interests means their imagination will be immediately captured and their attention span should last that little bit longer. Following their natural curiosity will make the experience even more enjoyable.

Tip: Allow them to lead the theme! If they’re excited about cars, they might want to build a garage or a car wash. Adding items they’re passionate about strengthens their connection to the activity and makes it more personal and exciting.

6) Creating Shared Memories

For both adults and kids, building together is full of connection, laughter and shared achievement. These shared memories don’t just help children grow; they also strengthen bonds and make the experience more memorable.

Tip: Taking a picture of a child’s finished masterpiece to celebrate the moment means they can look back on how much they’ve learned and grown for that proud as punch feeling.

7) Encouraging Independent Play

After some practice, kids might want to try to build on their own! Independent play nurtures confidence and lets them explore their ideas freely. It’s always amazing to see what they create when given a little room to experiment!

8) Celebrating Their First Build

A pat on the back! A playroom party! A celebratory cheer! However their first build is marked, little ones love to be recognized for making their first masterpiece from LEGO DUPLO bricks, big or small. Building confidence at an early age is key to fostering a love for learning and creativity, and celebrating these little wins can go a long way.

Helping preschoolers with their first LEGO DUPLO build is all about creating positive, playful and hands-on experiences. Through building together, telling stories and celebrating each new creation, they’re not just learning to build – creativity, self-confidence and countless joyful memories are also being nurtured.