Build a chill island getaway

• Age: 6+
• Time (minutes): 30-60 min.
• Number of people: 2+

Lovely bit of sun. Waves gently lapping at the shore. The sound of bricks clicking together. Aaah, island life!

If you’ve got gamer kids at home, and you’re looking for something fun to do together that will play on their passions while letting the controllers rest for a bit... you’ve landed on the right page. 

Islands are a huge deal in the gaming world, so we’ve partnered with the awesome Matt of @matticusbricks fame to show you how you and your little gamer(s) can build your very own super chill gaming island together. 

Matt’s island is – well, it’s absolutely gorgeous and elaborate, and you may be thinking: “that looks like a lot of bricks and commitment, I’m just looking for something simpler”. Fret not: all you need is whatever bricks you already have at home, and your kids’ imagination. 

(However, if you do want to build Matt’s exact island, now you can! Visit LEGO® Pick a Brick online, where you can order the exact type and number of bricks you need to build it and have them delivered to your home). 

Alright, let’s build!

Steps to building your island

STEP 1: Plan the base

For the frame of your island, think water, sand and/or vegetation. But, you know, there’s nothing stopping you from building an island out of, say, candy. Or different types of wheels. Or an island ON wheels. Or one made entirely out of pirate treasure, poking out from the sea. 

And maybe the sea is made of banana milkshake, because you happen to have a lot of yellow bricks at home. See where we’re going with this? It’s almost as if the more conventions you break, the more fun you end up having...

STEP 2: Build an island hut

A good gaming island needs real estate. Snap some bricks onto the base to build a few walls, and you’re in business! Depending on how big you’ve decided to make your island, your hut can be anything from a cozy little gaming nook to a sprawling beachfront property with dividing walls for different gaming rooms. And a jacuzzi. Oooh, there could be dolphins in the jacuzzi!

STEP 3: Deck out your island

Can’t have a dream location without a touch of vegetation! Again, trees don’t have to look like conventional trees, and neither do flowers. You’re in a gaming universe. You make the rules. May we also suggest a nice spot to lounge and game by the water?

STEP 4: Build playable characters (and NPCs too!)

Nothing brings a gaming island to life like characters kids can play with. Minifgures, animals, random bricks brought to life... Anyone can play. Games often have lots of Non-Playable Characters (NPCs) along for the vibe too, so you could build a bunch of those.