Shrek’s fairy-tale cast has arrived in LEGO minifigure form, but does everyone get a happily ever after? We take a close look at the movie references, a few puzzling design choices, and some useful parts for Castle builders.
Read MoreMonet painted his garden many times, exploring changes in color and time of day. Meredith Najewicz follows his lead, rebuilding the LEGO Art Water Lilies set with a darker palette and some creative part substitutions to cast the lilies in a different light.
Read MoreOld LEGO magic still has its charms. We revisit Borgin and Burkes and Dumbledore’s office to compare how their buildings, curious objects, and magical creatures have changed across generations of Harry Potter sets.
Read MoreLEGO adventurers need somewhere to unwind between quests. We talk with Sleepy Dragon Inn designer Marin Graux about classic Castle, medieval hospitality, and how his design evolved for the BrickLink Designer Program.
Read MoreWhat happens when a lifelong Trekkie, AFOL and professional toy designer finally gets an official LEGO Star Trek playset? Samuel Hatmaker explores the new Enterprise bridge and shows why playing Star Trek matters as much as displaying it.
Read MoreWhat do you do when a LEGO Pokémon set doesn’t quite hit the mark? Take it apart and create an alternate build using only the pieces from the original set! But how do you level up a character as recognizable as Pikachu?
Read MoreWhat happens when a LEGO builder who knows almost nothing about Pokémon takes on the entire Smart Play wave? We explore the colorful and curvy sets and then remix them into crazy creations far beyond the Pokédex.
Read MoreThe blue Classic Space astronaut has come a long way from the 1980s. Richard Dryden explores LEGO’s new upscaled version and reflects on the Classic Space sets and memories that started his LEGO journey.
Read MoreLEGO One Piece may be a licensed theme, but its latest wave feels surprisingly familiar. From pirate ships and towering castles to compact town scenes, we explore how the sets channel some of LEGO’s classic themes.
Read MoreCan LEGO Botanical sets be used as “tree battle packs”? Yes! Here’s how to transform 10373 Mini Bonsai Trees into minifig-scale trees for all your MOC needs.
Read MoreSometimes the best LEGO projects solve problems nobody actually has. Follow the design of the Kong-o-Matic 2000, a motorized machine that plays LEGO Donkey Kong so you don’t have to!
Read MoreMany people recognize La Catrina, but far fewer know her story. LEGO builder Dulce Gomez shares the history behind one of Mexico’s most enduring cultural symbols and why it means so much to her.
Read MoreLEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight brings together 80 years of comics, films, and LEGO history into one cohesive story. But does it live up to its ambitious name? Discover why the game feels like both a celebration of the Caped Crusader and a personal trip back to childhood.
Read MoreLEGO Ideas has changed dramatically since the days of CUUSOO, and few people have seen that evolution firsthand like Brent Waller. We sat down to talk about official sets, rejected projects, changing expectations, and the road to The X-Files.
Read MoreLEGO Disney Main Street, USA is getting ready for a parade! See how custom lighting and a MILS base help it come to life and become part of a larger amusement park layout.
Read MoreWhat happens when LEGOLAND drops interactive zones, custom treats, and extra activities all over the park? The result is the LEGO Festival, a seasonal celebration of creativity. This first-hand guide explores each zone, what to eat, and how to make the most of your visit.
Read MoreHow did Harry Potter reshape the LEGO animal kingdom? From owls to otters, guest contributor Caleb Schilling (aka Cheesey Studios) explores how this magical theme has quietly transformed the entire LEGO ecosystem.
Read MoreBefore building the LEGO Ideas E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial set, I decided to rewatch the movie. The result was a nostalgic journey through unforgettable scenes, memorable music, and clever Easter eggs that inspired me to recreate some of the film’s most iconic moments with my LEGO E.T.
Read MoreThe LEGO Ideas 40912 Sea Serpent faithfully revives a Castle classic, but it doesn’t always have to sail under the same banner. See how a few simple swaps transform this GWP into a vessel fit for Falcon Knights, Forestmen, Lion Knights, and more.
Read MoreFrom flippers and ramps to spinners and ball physics, LEGO's Arcade Pinball Machine borrows plenty from the real thing. A professional pinball engineer explores what LEGO recreated faithfully, where it made clever compromises, and why those choices work.
Read MoreSelf-described Train Nerd, Michael Gale takes us through his process to restore old and tarnished track, in various states of deterioration. Hop aboard, and see what he comes up with, today on BrickNerd!
What is the best way to clean and restore your LEGO 9V track? We take a deep dive into how to maintain, clean and restore your precious track to keep it in as good condition as possible to keep your trains running on schedule!
In the latest installment of our LEGO SNOT series, we explore how thinking in 2×2×2 cubes takes the guesswork out of sideways building. See how a few simple SNOT cubes can help you line up studs in any direction.
There are many acronyms, terms and phrases used to describe various LEGO things within the world of AFOLs. But what about all the made-up words we use every day that don’t make it into a standard glossary? Welcome to the AFOL Slang Dictionary.
No bones about it, BrickNerd fans, we’ve got some interesting connections for you today. Will explores the old LEGO skeleton, digs up several curiosities, and resurrects Belville to tickle your funny bone!
Welcome back to some spooky BrickNerd Quick Builds! We have two treats for you today. The theme for our LEGO instructions is Halloween with witches, spiders, crows and a grave!
Did you know there is a LEGO convention held inside a world-renowned glass museum? Let’s step through the looking-glass together and learn what BrickNerd contributors Ted Andes and Daniel Zimmerman found at Empire Brick Con.
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November has arrived with a fresh selection of LEGO contests and challenges. Don’t miss your chance to build a MOC and maybe even win some awesome LEGO prizes. With contests like Brickscalibur and Colossal Castle Contest returning, and new ones popping up, there’s plenty of inspiration to be found!