We love LEGO challenges, but my 4-year-old and I love them for very different reasons. I love them because they build confidence, fine motor skills, and they keep her totally engaged while I cook/check email/have a conference call. She loves them because they are fun and challenging. Our most recent was a St. Patrick’s Day LEGO challenge and I really thought that the LEGO leprechaun and pot of gold would be super tricky but I was super wrong. She plowed through them like a pro. When I find an activity my daughter (or my students at school) really likes and engages her, I will adapt it from theme to theme. It’s a familiar activity, but still new and fun. She is excited about the new theme. It keeps her interested and learning and I don’t have to re-invent the wheel.
Gather your materials. I admit I LOVE creating these little LEGO creations. It takes me back to when I’d challenge myself as a child with LEGO. If this isn’t your thing you can still do challenges with simple creations like these we did a few months back. 
I always make two exactly the same. Then dismantle one so my daughter has a model and all the pieces she needs to recreate it. Soon I will put the pieces for all 4 in one pot and let her sort them. But we aren’t there yet. No need to make this more challenging that needed. It’s a fun activity for her right now.
I had planned to do this at my desk. While getting an overhead shot of the materials, my daughter saw the tray and started building right there. 
As she completed each creation, she shifted around the tray. 
I’ve been asked by numerous readers about where I got this tray. I got it at the Dollar Tree. 
The pot of gold was shockingly simple for her to recreate. I thought the rainbow on the diagonal would pose a challenge but it didn’t!
She loved this challenge! The symbols used in this St. Patrick’s Day LEGO challenge gave us a chance to talk about leprechauns, rainbows with pots of gold and the end of them, and Ireland. One of the main goals of these holiday-themed activities is sparking interest in the holiday, it’s symbols and traditions.
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Want more great ideas for preschool activities? Check out our Build Preschool Thematic Curriculum Units!
Emily says
I love these! They are right up my 4 year old’s alley. We don’t own many legos yet, mostly just duplo. I think it’s time to start collecting them, although trying to decide where to start is a little overwhelming!
Nikki says
ahh, this gives me soo many ideas to use for speech therapy! I never really thought outside of the (lego) box- all I used it for was building houses or fences. Thanks for sharing this one!
Belinda Henington says
Love these ideas! Where did you find these trays?
Allison McDonald says
Walmart or Dollar Store