There are people who love the LEGO® brand and then there are people who LOVE the LEGO brand. If you or your kids fall into that category of “major LEGO enthusiast,” then there are a few attractions at LEGOLAND® California that you must see.

1) LEGO Factory Tour – Inside this attraction located in Fun Town, you can learn all about the history of the LEGO brick and how they are made. Automated machines simulate the making of the brick from the little beads of ABS plastic and will fascinate even the youngest of enthusiasts.

2) Model Shop – After learning how the bricks are made at the Factory Tour, get a first hand look at how professional model builders make masterpieces from the bricks. Depending on what time of day you stop by, you will get to see any number of model builders hard at work, either creating, fixing, or rehabbing various models for the Park (Side note: Don’t they have a cool job? Click here to read a Q & A with one of the Park’s top builder’s Gary McIntire).

3) Build & Test – The third step after learning all about the LEGO product is to put that knowledge to the test, literally. At Build and Test in the Imagination Zone, kids can build a variety of LEGO contraptions with cars and then race them around tracks. The competition is stiff so be sure to bring you’re A game!

4) LEGO Club House – This venue is currently under renovation but will soon open to the public as a place where families can use computer techonology to build anything imaginable. If can think it, you can create it. You will also be to display your LEGO work of art on the wall for other Park guests to admire. This is also an awesome place to shop for any size, shape, or color LEGO brick that your heart desires. Stay tuned for a special blog post describing all the fun features of the all new LEGO Clubhouse.

Brick regards,
Model Mom Mary

At the beginning of January, I wrote a post about the newly-released, LEGO^® friends. Since writing that post, my daughters have used their chore money to buy two sets each and we’ve purchased at least five others for various birthday party gifts in the past month. The screams and giggles when they open their new LEGO friend sets are a clear sign that LEGO hit the mark with this new toy line.

For years LEGO has tried various product lines such as Belville and Clickits, to increase their reach with the world’s kids. Of course little girls have loved LEGO bricks over the years, but LEGO Friends is a great addition to the toy line. My girls and I have had a blast following along with the instruction manuals, creating imaginary scenarios with Stephanie, Emma, and Olivia.

Hot tip for LEGOLAND Resort Pass Members: If you buy your LEGO Friends at one of the Park retail shops, you can use your 20% discount, which will be a lower rate than almost anywhere else.

Brick regards,
Model Mom Mary

The three little words, “Mommy and Me,” were on my lips a lot when my daughters were first born. We attended Mommy and Me yoga classes, Mommy and Me music classes, and Mommy and Me book readings. Now that my girls are a bit older, the Mommy and Me programs are not as frequent, but that is about to change. SEA LIFE™ Carlsbad Aquarium has just developed a new program called Mommy and Me Under the Sea, geared for kids ages 2-5. Yesterday I had the opportunity to preview this program and I am beyond excited to start this activity with my kids in February.

Here’s how it works: You pick a day, either a Tuesday or a Wednesday, and pick a time slot, 9:30am – 11:00am, 11:45am – 1:15pm or 2:00pm – 3:30pm. Each class day will have a specific topic, assigned in advance. The kids will participate in activities, crafts, and games that geared to help both fine and gross motor skills, all while educating them about the ocean blue. Kids and parents alike will walk away with fun facts and a new appreciation for life under the sea.

The sessions will be limited to ten kids so the instructor can really engage with each child. Though the classes are geared for ages 2-5, older or younger siblings are invited as well. And of course, even though it’s called Mommy and Me Under the Sea (because who doesn’t love good alliteration?), dads are welcome too!

The cost for a four-week session is $35.00 for one kid and $45.00 for two. And Resort Pass Members can upgrade for only $20.00 a session. Check out the SEA LIFE site for more details and info.

Brick regards,
Model Mom Mary

The LEGO^® company is hitting it out of the ballpark this January.

Not only did they launch the new LEGO Friends line for girls, on January 1st (which I have since purchased and is a HUGE hit with my girls), but also, this past Wednesday night, The Cartoon Network™ launched the first ever fully animated cartoon series of LEGO Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu!

To celebrate the launch of the toy company’s action/comedy animated TV series, LEGOLAND^® California will be playing the first three episodes in rotation in the LEGO Showplace on Saturdays and Sundays in January (January 14-15, January 21-22, January 28-29).

Here are show times and details:

2:30pm Episode 1 – Rise of the Snakes
3:30pm Episode 2 - Home
4:30pm Episode 3 - Snakebit
 
Each episode is twenty-two minutes long. Schedule is subject to change without notice so please check the signage outside the theatre on the day of your visit. Also, please note that the MPAA Rating system rated the film PG for some Fantasy Violence, Crude Humor and some scary and disturbing images.

Enjoy the show!
Model Mom Mary

I am happy to see various movements across the country that are promoting health and fitness with our youth. Obesity amongst young people is at staggering percentages and one of the best ways to curb and reverse those numbers is to introduce them to various sports and get them moving. So on January 21, throw some sneakers on your kiddos and get them movin’ in the annual Kids Marathon Mile that take place at LEGOLAND^® California.

This Kids Marathon Mile is in conjunction with the Tri-City Medical Center Carlsbad Full & Half Marathon that takes place on Sunday, January 22nd. LEGOLAND California is the venue sponsor for this kids race and though the race is intended for kids 12 and under, anyone can participate.

All registered race participants receive an event T-shirt, free Child ticket to LEGOLAND California and SEA LIFE Carlsbad Aquarium, 50% off admission to LEGOLAND for two guests, a shiny finisher’s medal plus a free child UltraStar Cinemas movie pass. Parents can either be registered participants, or can sign up to be companions for a lower fee.

Entry rates go up in price in a few days so check active.com for details on how to register.

There is also an option to do a “run for your school” fundraiser if you have ten or more students, parents and/or teachers, so check out the CarlsbadMarathon.com website for details.

The race is just for fun and therefore not timed, so I won’t say, “I’ll race ya!” But, I am really looking forward to doing this race with my family and I hope to see you out there!

Brick regards,
Model Mom Mary

Yesterday I took the kids for a play date at the beach (yes, it’s the beginning of January, and we had a picnic at the beach). On the way there, I had to explain to them that we would not be going in the water, not only because the water was cold, but also because there had been a recent sewage spill in the waters just South of us and I wasn’t sure if the water was still contaminated or not. Of course their five and three year old brains started firing questions at me and I was wishing that I had one of the experts from SEA LIFE™ Carlsbad Aquarium in my back pocket there to help me answer the questions.

I answered to the best of my ability, but then got side-tracked trying to parallel park along the coast highway, so I’m sure I left them with unanswered questions. Which is why I’m excited that SEA LIFE is celebrating Underwater Parks Day on January 21. At this fourth annual special event, celebrated by all the aquariums in Southern California, kids and parents can learn about Marine Protected Areas, aka Underwater Parks, which replenish fish populations and restore the health of coastal waters. My kids can ask all the questions they want, while I sit back, checking out the coral.

At the event, kids will get to create a special “sand globe” craft in a bottle with seaweed, creatures and sand, as well as participate in games, giveaways and hands-on exhibits. Of course, they can also ride the slide forty times in a row, if they love it as much as my kids do.

Hope you can join us at SEA LIFE for this special event!

Price of admission for the special: Kids (3–12) $15; Adults $20. Parking $5. Admission is FREE for Pass Members and also included with LEGOLAND Hopper tickets.

Happy New Year, friends of LEGOLAND^® California! I hope everyone had a joyous holiday season!

One of the things I am most excited for this new year is the introduction of the new LEGO^® friend line geared for girls, that is now available for sale at LEGOLAND® California. Though my daughters are already big fans of building with LEGO bricks, I know that they are going to go crazy for these new pastel-colored, girl-centric minifigures.

For years, LEGO has been one of the most successful and trusted brands by parents around the world, however, a majority of their toy products have been predominantly aimed at little boys. Now, with pink and purple hued toy sets like Andrea’s Stage and Emma’s Splash Pool, little girls will have relatable play sets more fitting of their interests (generally speaking of course).

Though our credit cards took a beating over the holidays, l cannot wait to purchase a few of these sets for my girls. Check out the new website at http://friends.LEGO.com!

Brick regards,
Model Mom Mary

If you’re headed to LEGOLAND^® California with a baby in a sling or car seat then this is the post for you. There are several things that little ones under two years old can do (and/or under 34”) that are all listed on the “What To Do When You’re Two Page” but for your quick reference I wanted to list my top six favorite activities that the entire family can do together with a little one in tow.

1) Fairy Tale Brook – My kids adore this ride, even now that they are older and can ride some of the faster rides. This fanciful boat ride will take you down memory lane with animate LEGO^® brick versions of the classic fairy tales like The Three Little Pigs, Sleeping Beauty and Little Red Riding Hood.

2) DUPLO^® Village – This area of the Park is all about the little ones. It’s made up of musical jumping pads and spray guns at DUPLO Water Works, a LEGO playground called DUPLO Playtown, and a little train called LEGOLAND Express that my kids’ still insist on riding at every visit.

3) Coast Cruise – Some of the best LEGO models in the entire Park are viewable on this slow-movin’ cruise through the LEGOLAND lagoon, including the Taj Mahal, the Eiffel Tower and Mt. Rushmore. You’ll also get some laughs via the clever narration of your cruise director.

4) Big Test Fire Show – I’m a little partial to this show since my job at LEGOLAND used to be supervising all the entertainment, but being as unbiased as I can be, I will tell you that the Big Test, playing at the Fun Town Stage, is great fun for the whole family. With fun comedy, upbeat music and “oooh-and-aaah” worthy stunts, even a little baby in a Bjorn will be giggling.

5) Miniland USA – Miniland is made up of miniature versions of all the big USA cities made entirely of LEGO bricks. The detail is incredible and not to be missed. Adults, this will be the highlight of your trip to LEGOLAND, for sure.

And from now until January 2, don’t miss the Holiday Snow Days up in Fun Town which includes rockin’ holiday entertainment and a real snow play area that is fun for the whole family!

Brick regards,
Model Mom Mary

Just got word of the line-up for the annual Kids’ New Years Eve concert at LEGOLAND^® California and I am beyond excited. If you have never been to this epic event, take a minute to read my post about the unique time zone just for kids, then, come back here to see the awesomeness they have in store for this year.

Go ahead, I’ll wait.

Okay, so here is the amazing line-up for this year’s KNYE celebration:

•    Lyndsey Cannon: In a time when young, age-appropriate role models for our little girls are hard to find, this rising star is a gem. She’s a singer, model and actress who claims her music to be a cross between Katy Perry and Disney.  She’s darling.

•    Secret Agent 23 Skidoo – With their Hip Hop for kids, or as they call it, “Kid Hop,” they are sure to rock the Park with such kid-friendly jams as Gotta Be Me and Family Tree. If you’re like me, and can sing every word to Parents Just Don’t Understand by DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince, then you’ll love this band, maybe even more than your kids! Word.

•    Aaron Nigel Smith—This children’s entertainer is on a mission to “get kids movin’” and that is exactly what he’s gonna do on New Years Eve. With songs like Animal Song and Everybody’s Jumping your kids will get enough exercise for all of 2012. Aaron performs around the country with the PBS Kids Between the Lions Live tour and is always a big hit.

•    Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band—Not only do I love the name of this band, but they were also named “Best New Kids Artist 2011” by USA Today. Lucky is what your kids will be feeling when they are jamming out to this band.

•    Justin Roberts and the Not Ready For Naptime Players—Oh my, how I love Justin Roberts! I have a been a HUGE fan of JR (that’s what I like to call him) since a friend gave me his CD on the occasion of my little girl’s first birthday. I even had the opportunity to interview him last year about his Emmy nomination. They are by far my favorite children’s band and I can’t think of a better way to ring in 2012 than with them at LEGOLAND California.

CLICK HERE to read my interview with Justin Roberts.

Not only are all these bands going to play on the concert stage in Miniland, but they will also all play mini-sets up in Fun Town earlier in the day, so you’ll have more than one opportunity to check them out.  LEGOLAND California is the place to be on December 31st this year.

Ever dreamed of following in the footsteps of professional skateboarder, Tony Hawk? Well now, thanks to LEGOLAND California, you can. Not on the skateboard however, but rather by way of the World’s Largest LEGO Christmas Tree. On November 28th, Ambassador pass member Tony Hawk and his two sons, Spencer and Keegan, had the honor of lighting the LEGO tree and from now until Christmas Eve, park guests will be chosen via a Facebook contest to flip the switch on the world’s largest LEGO tree. Check out the Facebook page for details on the contest and your child just might be chosen to join the LEGOLAND Snow Patrol of Elves to flip that switch at 4:30pm one night between now and Christmas Eve.  Selected guests will also receive a souvenir hat and T-shirt to commemorate the special occasion.

Visit our Facebook page to enter!