{Review} LEGO KidsFest - Richmond, VA

LEGO KidsFest Virginia

February 15-17 at the Greater Richmond Convention Center

We took a road trip to attend LEGO KidsFest 2013, in Richmond, Virginia! The whole way there the kids asked a million questions about what we might see, as they were so excited. My five year old insisted on wearing he Ninjago shirt, and asked if he would be able to see real LEGO Master Builders? My youngest just wanted to make sure he would see models made out of LEGO bricks, that were bigger than him!

I loved how we made it through ticketing very quickly. Knowing that 6,000 tickets were sold to a sold out session, I was beyond pleased that we never felt crowded or had to wait in long lines to join in on the fun!

The first thing that greets you is the LEGO Model Museum, and there are many famous faces! We were instantly drawn to Lighten McQueen, Buzz Lightyear, Woody, The Incredible  Hulk, Harry Potter, Darth Vader, Sponge Bob, and many more other brilliant models! We loved how staff offered to take photos and answer any questions! Millions of LEGO bricks form these amazing models, and you can get up close to see how cool they really are!

Each section of LEGO Kids Fest brought more wonder and awe, from my boys! We loved watching the challenge centers, Master Builder workshop, Monochromatic Builds, Big Brick Pile, LEGO Race Ramps, LEGO Art Gallery, and stood in awe as LEGO Maniacs were building every where around us!  The boys loved that there were featured areas just for LEGO City Undercover, LEGO Friends, Chima, Ningago, Monster Fighters, and The Life of George; it was amazing to see so many LEGO series and sets that we have not seen before. Each section brought something new and exciting;I just loved hearing the two boys talk to one another about what they would build or try to create! Need a break or a moment of quite time? There is a reading area, that your little one can unwind that has quality and enriching LEGO books from DK Publishing!

In the very center of the LEGO Kids Fest is a huge basket-court sized map on the floor, built out of LEGO bricks! This map is called Creation Nation, and your child or LEGO Maniac is encouraged to create their own building, tower, point of interest, or attraction to be placed any where on the map! I loved how family centered and organized this activity center was. There are tables, base plates, a millions of LEGO bricks in buckets made available for your use! My kids loved this opportunity  and were there for 45 minutes building their very own LEGO creation! There were four easy to access Drop Off Spot tables, where you were greeted by a LEGO staff member, and then asked where you wanted to place your creation. From the very moment your project is complete, no matter the size or skill level, it is handled with care by the staff! This was by far the coolest part of LEGO Kids Fest, just because our whole family was able to take part, and had a blast building together!

As a mom there are some really cool things I would like to share, with my fellow parents considering purchasing tickets! First of all, they have very knowledgeable staff, that is beyond awesome with children! The Master Builders and Staff all had very identifiable shirts or Mast Builder jackets on. I was pleasantly surprised to see hand sanitizer all over the place, and was very relieved to be able to slather my children throughout the day. I loved that they had a lost parents booth, and offered a business sized card to you as you entered to write down your cell phone information on, to then hide on your child in the event you were to become separated! The event is very inclusive, and the new LEGO Friends series is geared for girls, so bring on the pink, purple, and teal that centers around careers and creative play! 

I loved that the retail store was in the back of the venue, and it was the perfect way to "end," the session. The LEGO retail store offered many exclusives kits, and series not found at local stores or online! (Also, there are bonuses and freebies! There are signs all over the retail store explaining what is offered!)

So, would we go again? YES! We would go again in a heart beat, and I cannot say enough good things about this family centered event! My kids loved every LEGO center and challenge offered at LEGO Kids Fest, and asked when they can go back! If you have a little girl or boy that loves LEGO or wants to know more about LEGO, then this is the event for you!

GENERAL INFORMATION

The LEGO KidsFest is a giant traveling LEGO expo coming to select US cities in 2013! This hands-on, educational, all-ages LEGO extravaganza features millions of LEGO bricks not to mention lots of construction zones, dozens of life-sized LEGO models and displays, LEGO Ninjago and LEGO Games, group builds such as Creation Nation, live LEGO Master Builders, and so much more covering three acres of space. 

COMING TO A CITY NEAR YOU

Louisville, KY: April 5-7

Houston, TX: May 17-19

Phoenix, AZ: July 12-14

San Jose, CA: August 30-September 1

Portland, OR: October 11-13

Hartford, CT: December 6-8

Please LIKE "LEGOKidsfest" on Facebook and follow "@LegoKidsFest" on Twitter, with the hashtag #LegoKidsFest! For more information and to purchase tickets for a city near you, check out www.LEGOKidsFest.com

*LEGO Systems, Inc. is the North American division of The LEGO Group, a privately-held, family-owned company based in Billund, Denmark, one of the world's leading manufacturers of creatively educational play materials for children.  Visit the virtual LEGO world at www.LEGO.com.  LEGO, the LEGO logo, and DUPLO, are trademarks of the LEGO Group. 

© 2011 The LEGO Group.

*I am proud to partner with US Family Guide, and received tickets to LEGO KidsFest to give my honest review and opinions of the event.