Make words with LEGO® bricks

What can we use if we don't have a LEGO baseplate or enough matching-color bricks?

Use a piece of cardboard, a baking sheet, or a large hardcover book as a flat 'baseplate' and substitute similar-sized toy bricks or colored paper stacks for missing matching bricks so you can still 'Gather all your LEGO bricks on the baseplate or flat surface' and 'Choose a color for each letter'.

My letters keep falling over—what should we try?

If letters wobble when you 'gently nudge each letter to check if any letters wobble or fall over', reinforce them by widening the bottom with extra bricks, overlapping layers for tighter connection, or placing a flat plate under the letter and then 'Add extra bricks to any wobbly letters' for stability.

How can I adapt this activity for different ages?

For preschoolers, pick very short words like CAT or SUN, use larger DUPLO or big bricks and pre-draw thick block outlines and pre-sort color piles from 'Choose a color for each letter', while older kids can build longer words, experiment with taller letters and new color patterns as in 'Try rebuilding the word with a new color pattern or by making letters taller'.

How can we make the finished LEGO word more special or displayable?

Attach your letters onto a larger flat plate or a piece of cardboard to make a plaque, add stickers or small LEGO accessories for decoration, and then 'Take a photo of your finished LEGO word and share your creation on DIY.org' to show off your personalized design.