# Strings and Duplo
> Clamp strings, ribbons or cords between two snapped-together Duplo bricks to build trains, a handbag and a hanging zoo. It is a simple twist on everyday Duplo play that opens up new building ideas.
- URL: https://www.funlittles.com/strings-and-duplo/
- Ages: 2–5 yrs · Difficulty: easy · Mess: low
- Time: prep 5 min, activity 30 min
- Works for: one-on-one, small group, whole class
- Skills: fine-motor, building, engineering, problem-solving, imaginative-play

## Materials (one batch)
- Lego Duplo bricks
- Assorted strings, cords, ribbons or fabric belts
- 1 piece Duplo baseplate (optional)
- Duplo animals, flowers and figures (optional)
- 1 piece Doorknob or sturdy hook (optional) (household)

## Substitutions
- Instead of duplo bricks: Mega Bloks or other large building bricks (Any big brick that snaps tightly enough to grip a string should work. This was not tested in the post.)

## Safety
- Long strings, cords and belts are a strangulation hazard. Supervise closely, never put strings around necks, and put them away after play.
- An adult hangs any build from a doorknob or hook. Keep hanging builds low and away from where kids walk, because bricks can fall.
- Small Duplo figures and decorations should be used with supervision for kids who still mouth toys.

## Steps
1. Gather long, stringy things like cords, ribbons and belts.
2. Lay a string across the top of a Duplo brick.
3. Snap a second brick on top to clamp the string tightly between the two.
4. Clamp more brick pairs along the same string to make a train.
5. Stack extra bricks on the cars to make a fancy caboose.
6. Clamp a string at each corner of a build or baseplate, then gather the strings and lift.
7. Build a handbag and carry it by its strings.
8. Build a zoo with animals on a baseplate. Adult: hang it from a doorknob by its strings.

## Tips
- Big A tried to attach a belt to the base with just one lego piece and had no luck. Once daddy showed her she could clamp it between 2 pieces, the bulb went off.
- If your child is obsessed with strings, put that obsession to work. Anything long that can be tied gives a whole realm of possibilities.
- Lego trains are the best place to start.
- The handbag is by far our favorite build.
- Readers were surprised you could make a handbag out of Legos. (from readers)

## The original post by TurkeyMom (2012)

We had good fun with Duplos this week too. Well, what’ new? We are always with our duplos on our window seat, building, demolishing, talking and often times fighting for the same lego piece. This time, we have a new addition. We added strings to our legos and that gave us a whole realm of possibilities. Older one here is obsessed with strings ( aren't they all obsessed with something?) Seriously, I'm constantly missing belts from my clothes ( fabric belts, leather belts), fabric belts from her own clothes. Anything long, which can be tied to something, you can find it in her own. This is our long stringy type things in a big knot.

 Big A was trying to get a belt attached to the green lego base. She used a lego piece to tie string to the mat but she wasn’t having any luck. Once daddy showed her how she could do the same with 2 lego pieces, bulb went off and she started making quite a few thing with strings and legos

 We created trains, trains and more trains with a fancy caboose one day     Then we built a handbag another day- This is by far my favorite   Recently we made a hanging zoo.  Strings made already awesome duplos, more fun! shared on [Mummymummum](http://www.mummymummymum.com/)