Little Coloured Bricks

Lego’s Technic line was first introduced as the Expert Builder in 1977 as part of a line of more technical pieces and sets. It consisted of plastic rods and arms which allowed the advanced Lego builder more flexibility in his designs. Later on, in 1984, it was renamed Technic.

Characterized by certain pieces such as pins, beams, axles and gears, the Technic allowed for a more radical recreation or creations of moving parts for vehicles, mechs, and robots.

Technic brings out every Lego builder’s technical and mechanical side. With the addition of electric motors and pneumatic pieces, it was now possible to make machines that move on their own.

Lego’s Technic line continued to evolve around year 2000 with the introduction of stud-less construction pieces. Instead of the iconic studs on top of every piece, it was replaced with holes on the vertical sides to allow for shafts or pins to pass through. This allowed for a sleeker look and for a more balanced design.

The Lego Technic also paved the way for the Lego’s Mindstorn. Even more advanced than the Technic, it allowed the builder more control on his design’s mobility. The Mindstorm uses a lot of its parts from the Technic except for the sensors that it uses. The Mindstorm is a programmable lego set which any builder can program through a bundled computer software or a third-party program language such as Java and C.

The Lego Technic continues to evolve up until the present. The introduction of IR remote now allows the builder to control the movement of his creation. And in the internet, we see how this is used in recreating vehicles. Lego builders have been putting up their designs and recreations of heavy machinery and large vehicles that have full functionality and movement. With this addition, we see the Lego community growing in their art of Lego building.

Legoland is a string of theme parks that promotes Lego bricks and Lego-inspired rides and facilities. Marketed as the theme park for young children, Legoland still offers a few thrilling rides including roller coasters to entertain its older clientele. Although the rides are not as dangerous, extreme or as scary as those in regular theme parks, Legoland is still a very popular tourist destination.

There are many different Legolands all around the globe but most of these theme parks are in Europe. According to the developer of the theme parks, Legoland Malaysia will open in two years’ time. The said theme park is said to attract 1.5 million visitors on its opening and this is something expected especially when it comes to Lego and since it is the first Legoland in the Southeast.

The oldest Legoland is located in the birthplace of the bricks itself –Billund, Denmark. The largest of the Legoland theme parks, Legoland Billun has 9 different worlds. This includes Duplo Land, LEGOREDO Town, ImaginationZone, Adventure Land, Pirate Land, Miniland, Lego City, Viking Land and Knights Kingdom. The park receives around 2 million visitors annually. It opened its doors 1968 to an excited population of Lego enthusiasts. During that time, those who had the money flew to Denmark just to experience the theme park.

Legoland California is nestled in picturesque North San Diego County. Much like the first Legoland, it is divided into 9 different sections. This theme park came 31 years after the first Legoland was built. It first opened its doors on March the 20^th, 1999.

About three years later, Legoland Deutschland opened. The theme park now has 7 divisions. Lego enthusiasts have to know however that an older Legoland was built in Germany and it was called Legoland Park from 1973 to 76. Today, this Sierksdorf park is known as Hansa-Park. Legoland Windsor, another Lego theme park opened in 1996 and now has 12 divisions in its 150 acre property.

At LEGOLAND in Windsor, not only those of Royal blood can enjoy hands-on entertainment because children not born of nobility can travel the road, conquer the skies and even sail the high seas without their parents worrying if they are going to be alright. Boasting over 50 interactive rides, workshops, shows and attractions, LEGOLAND Windsor is truly the Vegas for Lego-loving children. The sprawling property is made into one large park full of fun activities not only for kids but for the whole family.

For 2010, Windsor’s Legoland invites everyone for Pirates Landing. Described by theme park personnel as a new land to discover, Pirates Landing promises sheer excitement and unadulterated fun.

The theme park is a seasonal theme park and those who are interested in visiting the place should go on or before November 7^th, 2010.

Ticket Information

Tickets start at 18 pounds going up. For more information on ticket tariffs, you may call +44 0870 504 0404.

Important Note: Kids under 3 years do not need to pay. They are admitted at the park for free.

Credit Cards Accepted

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Theme Park Features, Facilities and Services

Public telephones are available in the 150 acres theme park.

Theme park personnel are fluent in different foreign languages since this is usually a European destination.

Toilets are available and are situated in strategic areas.

The theme park also has restaurants and food stalls in the area. There is a picnic site for families.

Golf enthusiasts can play golf in designated areas of the park.

All areas are accessible to disabled visitors. Guide dogs are allowed at the park.

Parking on-site is free. For those who will not be driving to the place, there is a shuttle service from Windsor and a coach from London and Slough.

Lego’s early learning portfolio was made with children as young as 1 ½ years in mind. According to experts, early childhood development even to those who are only a year old is very important. Lego Education includes play themes, creative construction, starting school and supplementary play sessions in its early learning portfolio.

The play sets under this category are designed to enhance and develop basic skills in children. Such sets need not be played by only one child. In fact, it can be played by up to 6 children at the same time. Free play is encouraged but supervised play will provide structure to the game and the learning session.

Through the years, many parents have ran to the Lego Group for support and this includes new parents who are adamant on building their child’s fundamental skills at an early age.

Schoolteachers have used Lego play sets to teach general information to children of different ages and since Lego is not just a toy, the Lego Group started developing the toy and have made it into an educational tool as well.

Lego Education’s school solutions are not only entertaining and fun, they also work as a supplementary method for children to learn fundamental lessons in a faster and easier way. The said school solution enables schoolteachers to teach a wide range of subjects such as math, technology, science, engineering and even the social sciences in a more engaging manner as opposed to the traditional classroom experience.

Experts believe that through Lego toys, children learn to explore solutions and solve problems by thinking out of the box. Lego takes pride in the fact that through its sets, children are taught critical thinking and those who are exposed to the bricks act like young scientists. Through Lego, learning is more fun and more interactive.

Lego 4+ (four plus) consists of Lego toys that are appropriate for tots four and above. Whether you would like your kids to play with pirates or heroic figures, Lego’s 4+ collection has something for everyone. There are many products available at Lego’s online shop but if you are particular with what toys your children will play with, it would be best to take a look at educational toys released by the Lego Group.

You have to remember however that Lego 4+ Play Sets are specifically designed for children age 4 and up since these play sets require the abilities and the imagination of children at these ages.

The size of the pieces are taken into consideration and you do not need to worry about how hard building these toys will be because 4+ Lego sets are easy to build.

Much like any other Lego play set, 4+ play sets are fun to play with and will also help in enhancing your child’s capability to build.

Educators favor Lego’s 4+ sets because they say, if you start building your child’s imagination and creativity at an early age, you will be rewarded with a rather talented child who achieves not only in school but in extracurricular activities as well.

Lego Duplo is a great example of these toys. Although the said Lego category is for children below 3 or 4 years old, Duplos are still fun to build with and are compatible with all types of Lego sets.

Why subject yourself to researching what types of toys are appropriate for your children if the Lego Group has already done the research and the development for you? Lego sets are great toys for children and yes we have said this so many times but we believe that it does not really hurt if we say it all over again so that parents are reminded that Legos are the best of the best when it comes to children’s toys.