GeekSugar

Lego Fans Get Their Own Social Network: ReBrick

Kelly Schwarze — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 12:31:34 PST

We've seen some pretty awesome usage of Legos that show that the bricks aren't just child's play. Now you can share your own impressive creations with a group of enthusiastic fans on the Lego-sponsored social network ReBrick.

Though the site is run by the Lego company itself, it's not designed to sell new Lego sets. Instead, its purpose is to let the creativity of the community speak for itself. As you would with a Facebook Like button, ReBrick uses a browser bookmarking function for users to share stunning brick finds and cool photos with the network. Follow users whose work you love, browse the most viewed photos, and receive community feedback as you would with any other creative social platform, like Instagram for example, only with that colorful brick angle.

A team of official moderators and community members work diligently to ensure content is appropriate for all users and the house rules of the site are maintained, making the site something both children and adult Lego brick-builders can enjoy.

Source: Flickr User Avrene

Geek Shot: Shaun of the Dead Takes LEGO Form

Kelly Schwarze — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 04:49:53 PST

Our favorite British zombie fighters, Shaun and Ed from Shaun of the Dead, received the LEGO treatment from Flickr user Yatkuu. Re-created in this scene is the entire gang ready to battle the undead in front of their local pub, The Winchester.

Yatkuu doesn't just wield toy bricks for zombie vignettes; check out his Flickr page for a Stargate, Batman, and "No Bricks For Old Men" scene.

Source: Flickr User Yatkuu

Geek Shot: LEGOs Fill the Cracks

Kelly Schwarze — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 08:23:34 PST

We may just think of them as the best toys ever created, but the signature street art from Jan Vormann imagines LEGOs as the rebuilding blocks for crumbling ancient cities. Jan's Dispatchwork project uses LEGOs as patches for damaged buildings across European city centers. He's been fine tuning these pieces for several years now, but the juxtaposition of the bright brick colors against the faded gray architecture keeps the work whimsical.

Build a LEGO Deer Bust

Kelly Schwarze — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 11:09:22 PST

I'm consistently amazed with the LEGO creations I spy throughout the web. From Star Wars to Harry Potter large-scale scene re-creations it seems like there's nothing LEGO fans can't make.

For those of us that want to get in on the playful LEGO magic, designer David Cole constructed the deer LEGO taxidermy kit ($28). In 60 LEGO pieces sourced from all over the world, create your own guilt-free mounted deer bust to hang in the den with pride.

Check out the rest of David's shop for his newest bear and fox taxidermy kits, as well as pixelated tattoos. One of each, please.

LEGO-Inspired Block Case Is Geek Chic

Kristy Korcz — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 05:21:38 PST

Kids at heart will love the Connect Design Block Case ($29) for the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S. Not only does this rubber case look like a giant LEGO block, but it comes with a moveable LEGO-like piece to keep your camera lens covered, keep your earphone cords organized, and even act as a stand to keep your phone upright so you can watch videos.

For $29 bucks, I think that's a steal.

Lego to Introduce Girl-Friendly Lego Friends Sets in the New Year

Rebecca M Gruber — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 09:47:11 PST

Think the LeapPad and Air Swimmers were the most anticipated toys of 2011? Think again! On Jan. 1 (or Dec. 26 in the UK) Lego is introducing Lego Friends - its first significant entry into the world of girls play, with a $40 million global marketing plan to support 23 different products - including six new colors (think pastels) and 29 minidolls that look more lifelike than the current minifigs.

After years of anthropological studies, Lego learned the differences in how boys and girls play. Among their findings are:

"Whereas boys tend to be 'linear' - building rapidly, even against the clock, to finish a kit so it looks just like what’s on the box-girls prefer 'stops along the way' and to begin storytelling and rearranging."
"The key difference between girls and the ladyfig and boys and the minifig was that many more girls projected themselves onto the ladyfig - she became an avatar. Boys tend to play with minifigs in the third person."
"The greatest concern for girls really was beauty." Girls want their toys to demonstrate beauty, just as boys wanted theirs to demonstrate mastery.

The result is a line of toys that includes five main characters, each with a backstory and a "set" that she can play in, including a salon, a horse academy, and a veterinary clinic. Major retailers plan to give the new sets plenty of shelf space after the holidays, so expect to see the pastel colors everywhere.

Do you think the new Lego Friends will attract more girls to build and play? Click through the images that follow for a sneak peek at the sets and share your thoughts in the comments below!

Lil Gift Guide: Great Gifts For 5-Year-Olds!

Rebecca M Gruber — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 11:32:02 PST

How best to describe kindergartners? Tots with a lot of personality! No longer "lil ones," these 5-year-olds are at an age where they know what they want and they aren't afraid to tell you. Toys and activities that build on the skills they are learning at school will keep their hands busy and their minds moving.

FIJIT Friends ($40) may be one of the biggest sellers this holiday season with their ability to respond to different commands and dance moves that keep kids wanting to join in the party. If your child has control of your iPad, Angry Birds Card Game ($12) may be the ticket to giving them a break from the screen. Lego's line of city kits just keeps growing, and the City Forest Police ($80) is packed with enough things to build to keep fans busy for a long time. Bead Bazaar's My Butterfly Bead Kit ($23) is filled with more than 200 environmentally friendly, hand-crafted beads to make more than a dozen accessories. If your kid's going to be moving, why not make it an artistic experience? The Razor Graffiti Chalk Scooter ($74) features sidewalk chalk near its rear wheel so kids can look back on their path after they've reached their destination.

Lil Gift Guide: Great Gifts For 2-Year-Olds!

Rebecca M Gruber — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 08:32:01 PST

Terrible twos? Sure they exist, but they're not as bad as everyone would have you believe. Plus, when they look at you with those adorable eyes, mama's sure to give in! One way to combat the tantrums is to have a steady supply of activities on hand. Here are some that should do the trick!

A classic like Mr. Potato Head has been keeping lil hands and minds busy for decades. The Mr. Potato Head Silly Suitcase ($16) is packed with so many combinations that tots will be creating funny faces for years to come. HABA's Rainbow Whirls Pegging Game ($32) is a fun take on the classic stacking rings. A combination puzzle and ring game, tots can pile up the rings by color or any reason they see fit. Lego's are another classic that continues to entertain a new generation. The company's Duplo line brings toddlers in on the action and their new sets range from movie-influenced themes - like Cars Flo's Café ($55) to more familiar sites like the farm or the grocery story. It's never too early to get kids active and Fisher Price's Grow With Me Inline Skates ($24) to do just that! Finally, for lil ones who want to mimic mom and dad in the kitchen, this wooden play kitchen ($200/piece) will help them whip up some imaginary food for upcoming tea parties!

Geek Shot: Legoland Gets a New Car

GeekSugar — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 08:40:58 PDT

Ford rolled out its first Legoland Florida Edition Explorer SUV yesterday, which was built using 382,858 Lego bricks. The car is set to be on display at the soon-to-be-opened Legoland Florida theme park.

5 Egg-cellent Easter Basket Treats That Leave Sweets Far Behind

Rebecca M Gruber — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 14:06:09 PDT

Chocolate and marshmallows are the hallmarks of Easter, but they don't have to dominate lil one's baskets. When tots wake on Sunday morning, surprise them with a few treats that carry on the holiday's egg theme without adding more sugar to their day. Check out five fun picks I've found below.

Clockwise from top left: Lego Easter Basket ($9), Play-Doh-Filled Easter Bunny ($10), Dinosaur Train Hatchers Kit ($5), HEXBUG Nano Bunny ($5), Weebles Spring Basket ($15).