Lego Toys: A Parent’s Worst Nightmare?

If my toes could write, I can only imagine how quickly this would have written itself, I have one question Are lego toys a parent’s worst nightmare? My soles have suffered the pain and have lived to tell the tale. Hence my declaration, “Lego toys are not for kids!. They’re the mini terrors of parenting young kids. That’s right – I’m talking about Legos! Little bricks that seem harmless enough until you realize your child has a natural inclination to build an entire city with them and then stomp on it.

It is so easy to be deceived by the idea of your kids becoming engineers as they play with these colourful little plastic pieces while building mini-cities tall and wide as they show you what they can do gleefully. The reality is that this toy will turn into a monster when you least expect it, leaving behind nothing but destruction in its wake!

Here are four reasons I am making a declaration that Legos are not for kids.

The Never-Ending Demand for More Lego Sets 

To begin with, you will never buy them enough Legos to keep up with their demand or imagination! There is no such thing as too many bricks in their mind. They will be a new creation that will suddenly become available the next time you are in the store. It makes for an exciting game of bypassing the toy section every time you go to the store, just in case, there might be a new Lego set lurking.  Lego toys are expensive and a nightmare to find! If your kids are anything like mine, they will lose the pieces to their sets within days – possibly even hours after playing with them. The result? You end up spending way too much money on replacement bricks that your children could care less about having another 60+ piece set two months down is released.

The Mess Legos Create in Your Home

The second reason is, they will create their unique world within your house! You may think you have everything clean and organized, but it is bedtime when you see a cityscape stretching across your living room floor. Your child’s imagination will be the last thing in your mind as you spend each clean-up time hunting for pieces. If you ever wanted to pack up the Legos after playtime, you’d have to take them apart first. It’s like trying to put together a puzzle that is mind-boggling and never ends! The time it takes to create with Lego toys is extraordinary. It may seem like a good idea at first (and perhaps even educational), but once you realize how long it will take your child to build what they want – if they ever do get around to making anything – you’ll probably reach for another toy instead!

Are Legos Safe for Young Kids?

Thirdly, as a parent’s worst nightmare, some lego toys contain small pieces of plastic that can cause potential choking hazards for kids under three years old. Not only will your child try to put them in their mouth, but the bigger pieces may also get stuck in there and cause them to choke. This is a very real threat that needs your attention immediately. Of course, this typically applies to any small toys, but it is a serious point to contend with nonetheless. Toys-related choking causes more than 30 percent of unintentional injuries in kids under two in Canada. Even the Canadian Paediatric Society lists Legos as a choking and suffocation hazard in the home. 

Stepping on Legos: The Pain We Didn’t Sign Up For

Finally, ever notice the glee when your kids finally complete a construction? They run around the house showcasing their skill. It’s nearly impossible to keep track of each piece when your kids start prancing around mission-ready. Some parents may think this is a good thing since you can give them some independence and freedom to roam about while they play, but the reality is that every other toy stays put – not Legos! It is surprising how adults’ toes suffer when they step on a missing piece of lego. Regardless of wooden or rug surfaces, wherever you step on one of those pieces, the pain is always so intense, and it builds until you can pick up the piece and set it out of your path.

Despite the Chaos, Why Do Kids Love Legos?

I am not going to deny I am not writing this out of pure frustration with teary eyes from stepping on another invincible to the eyes lego part because I am. However, of all my boys’ toys, legos are the worst-ranked in my books right now. Now even though lego toys always end up becoming a massive mess in our home, my sons can’t get enough of them – they love building with these blocks and creating new towers just to tear them down. Oh well, their smiles and laughter sometimes make it worth it…

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