If you can dream it, they can build it.
Children filled two tables inside the Wyoming Free Library recently, rummaging through giant boxes of LEGO parts as they created their own personal masterpieces.
LEGO club coordinator Colleen Garrison said the program is entering its fifth year after receiving a generous donation to start back in 2012.
“We received a donation of $700 for LEGOs from a private donor,” Garrison said of how the club began.
The event runs from 11 a.m. to noon one Saturday every month, is free and is open to anyone who enjoys building with the colorful plastic pieces.
Garrison thanked everyone for attending the group and said they may create whatever they wish from the LEGOs, adding that, at the end of the session, children may walk around and view each other’s work as well as pose for a group photo.
“The way it works is you build at your leisure,” Garrison said to the group. “We don’t have any rules here.”
She did say the library holds a “LEGO build-off” twice a year where all children must build one particular piece. Top creators get to win prizes, among other incentives. A date for the next build-off has yet to be announced.
On one end of the table, 5-year-old Emily Griffis and her grandmother, Betty, were busy creating a castle for an evil king. As Emily, of Exeter, stacked pieces together to form the king’s throne, Betty said the library is a regular stop on their activities list.
“We come here all the time,” she said, adding her granddaughter loves the reading program and tea parties the library offers.
On the other end of the room, 7-year-old Michael Dale was busy creating an ocean scene. Using a blue base as the ocean, Michael placed a small boat in its center, then placed chickens inside the boat and a palm tree off to the side.
The Wilkes-Barre resident got some assistance with his creation from fellow children, and seemingly enjoyed his first time at the monthly event.
“My son loves LEGOs,” said Adria Knecht, Michael’s mother. She decided to bring him after hearing about the group from a co-worker. “It’s a good chance for him to interact with other kids from other areas.”
Sitting behind his daughter, Exeter resident Allan Siani said he likes the different programs the library offers children, and he wanted to let her try the LEGO group.
“We come here every other week for books,” he said, noting that his daughter, Juiliana, has a love for LEGOs. “These kids need something for themselves around here.”
As the minutes ticked by and children finished their masterpieces, they took a moment to walk around and view what their fellow builders created.
In all, about 5,000 LEGO pieces were available for children to use, with Garrison saying the library occasionally gets more from patrons as donations to the group.
“We always take donations for LEGOS,” she said.
The next LEGO workshop will be held on Feb. 11.
