Setting up a “LEGO magazine night” with your kids

Family time can be hard to schedule with school, work, and busy routines filling the calendar. One simple yet creative way to connect is by setting aside an evening for a “LEGO magazine night.” Using LEGO Magazine as the centerpiece, this tradition combines reading, puzzles, and building into an activity that kids look forward to every month. Here’s how you can set it up and make it a highlight of your week.

Why a LEGO Magazine Night Works

LEGO magazines are designed to engage children with stories, challenges, and hands-on building opportunities. Unlike screen-based entertainment, they encourage imagination, problem-solving, and shared activities. A dedicated magazine night creates space for bonding, while also giving kids a routine they can anticipate with excitement.

Step 1: Choose the Right Night

Pick a night of the week when everyone is relaxed and less rushed. A Friday evening after dinner or a quiet Sunday afternoon works well for many families. Consistency helps kids look forward to it, turning the magazine night into a family ritual rather than a one-off activity.

Step 2: Gather the Essentials

Before starting, make sure you have everything ready:

• The latest LEGO Magazine issue.
• The included foil pack set.
• Basic building supplies like extra bricks, in case your kids want to expand on the build.
• Comfortable space with good lighting.

By preparing ahead, you set the stage for a smooth, stress-free evening.

Step 3: Read Together

Begin by reading the comics and stories inside the magazine. Younger children may enjoy listening while parents read aloud, while older kids can take turns reading. The colorful illustrations and familiar characters help bring the stories to life. This not only strengthens reading skills but also sparks conversations about the adventures in the magazine.

Step 4: Tackle the Puzzles and Activities

Most issues are packed with word searches, mazes, and building challenges. Work on these puzzles together, encouraging teamwork and problem-solving. Parents can guide younger kids while giving older ones space to figure things out on their own. It’s a great way to practice patience and celebrate small wins as a family.

Step 5: Open the Foil Pack

The highlight of every magazine is the collectible foil pack. Opening it together builds anticipation and excitement. Once the pieces are out, help your kids follow the instructions to assemble the mini-build or mini-figure. Some families even make this a monthly tradition—keeping the foil pack sealed until magazine night begins.

To expand your collection of exclusive packs, you can explore monthly LEGO subscription boxes here. This way, your family will always have something new to look forward to.

Step 6: Extend the Creativity

Once the foil pack is built, let the fun continue by creating stories or scenarios that include the new character or vehicle. Encourage kids to combine the build with their existing LEGO sets, blending magazine night into ongoing play. This adds an extra layer of imagination and keeps the experience alive long after the evening ends.

Step 7: Store and Organize

As your family collects more magazines and foil packs, consider creating a special storage system. Binders or boxes for magazines and display stands for mini-figures make it easy to revisit past issues. Having everything organized ensures that future magazine nights run smoothly and lets kids see how their collection has grown.

Making It Special

A LEGO magazine night can be as simple or as elaborate as you want. Some families add snacks, play background music, or even theme the night around the magazine’s focus—like space, ninjas, or city life. The key is making it feel like a fun break from the usual routine, something kids will cherish and remember.

The Benefits Beyond Fun

Setting aside regular time for magazine night has benefits that go beyond entertainment.

• Literacy support: Reading together strengthens comprehension and vocabulary.
• Problem-solving: Puzzles and builds encourage logical thinking.
• Bonding: Shared activities create lasting memories.
• Creativity: The combination of stories and builds inspires imaginative play.

These moments of connection are just as valuable for parents as they are for children.

Keeping the Tradition Going

To keep the tradition fresh, rotate who leads each activity. One week, a parent might read the comic aloud; the next, a child could explain the building instructions. This gives everyone a role and keeps the evening interactive.

You can also surprise your kids occasionally by adding an extra foil pack or revisiting an older magazine issue. Having a steady supply of issues delivered through subscription boxes makes this easy, ensuring you never miss out on new releases.

Final Thoughts

A LEGO magazine night is a simple but powerful way to bring family together. By combining reading, puzzles, and building, it creates a balance of fun and learning that kids love. With a little preparation and consistency, this tradition can become a highlight of your week, strengthening bonds and encouraging creativity.

For parents looking to build both memories and collections, starting a monthly tradition with LEGO magazines is a step that pays off in more ways than one.