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Fun and easy kids activities

Strings and Duplo

Sep 2, 20125,165 views
Construction
Strings and Duplo Save
Strings and Duplo Save
Strings and Duplo Save
Strings and Duplo Save
Strings and Duplo Save
Strings and Duplo Save
Strings and Duplo Save

by TurkeyMom in Construction

Ages2–5 yrs
Prep5 min
Activity30 min
Leveleasy
MessLow
Works for1:1 · Small group · Class

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.

⚠️ Safety first

  • 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.from the author
  • If your child is obsessed with strings, put that obsession to work. Anything long that can be tied gives a whole realm of possibilities.from the author
  • Lego trains are the best place to start.from the author
  • The handbag is by far our favorite build.from the author
  • Readers were surprised you could make a handbag out of Legos.from readers

Make it your own

  • Build a train with a fancy caboose.
  • Build a Duplo handbag with string handles.
  • Make a hanging zoo with Duplo animals and flowers on a baseplate.
  • Try different strings, like ribbons, plastic cord or fabric belts, and see which hold best.

The story behind it

By TurkeyMom · September 2012
Strings and Duplo
Older one here is obsessed with strings. I'm constantly missing belts from my clothes. This is our long stringy type things in a big knot.
1 / 8

Strings and Duplo: the original post

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

What readers say

💬 8 comments ✍️ 2 answered by the author

✨ Readers' twist

A handbag made from Legos

A reader was surprised you could build a handbag out of Duplo with strings, the author's favorite creation.

“I didn't know we could make a handbag out of Legos!! :D Brilliantly done.”
Mithila, Sep 2012

🎉 Worked for us

Simple idea, trains right away

A parent called it simple but clever and wanted to build a string train immediately; the author agreed Lego trains are the best.

“So simple, yet SUCH a good idea! I want to make a train right away!”
thismummaslife, Sep 2012

🎉 Worked for us

Ready for duplo-loving kids

A parent planned to introduce the string-and-Duplo idea to a son who already loves Duplo.

“I will be introducing my duplo loving son to this.”
Trisha, Sep 2012

🎉 Worked for us

A fresh twist on Lego play

The link-party host had never thought of combining string with LEGO and called it a fab idea.

“I've never thought of using string with LEGOs, fab idea!”
Emma (@mummymummymum), Sep 2012

Tried it?

Reviewed before it appears. No links, and please no children's names.

Read all 8 comments

  1. TurkeyMomAuthor · Sep 2012 · replying to Allison

    Thank you very much for the feature Allison.

  2. Emma (@mummymummymum) · Sep 2012

    I've never thought of using string with LEGOs, fab idea! Thanks for linking up. x

  3. TurkeyMomAuthor · Sep 2012 · replying to thismummaslife

    Thanks. Lego trains are the best

  4. thismummaslife · Sep 2012

    So simple, yet SUCH a good idea! I want to make a train right away!

  5. Trisha · Sep 2012

    I will be introducing my duplo loving son to this.

  6. Mithila · Sep 2012

    OmG! I didn't know we could make a handbag out of Legos!! :D Brilliantly done.

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