Tag Archives: Toys

5 Top LEGO Creations That LEGO Enthusiasts Need To Get Their Hands On & Build

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I absolutely loved building detailed and intricate LEGO structures as a child. I could spend hours sitting and creating the little builds, and I still hold those memories dear to my heart. I’m sure most of us have nostalgic and heartwarming memories associated with LEGO blocks from our childhood, as well as the not-so-heartwarming ones of stepping on them with our feet and feeling an insane amount of pain shoot up our legs. But nowadays LEGO is no longer considered child’s play. Master builders and LEGO enthusiasts all over the world have been creating impressive LEGO builds, and we’ve curated a few of our favorites for you!

1. LEGO Popcorn Machine

This charming LEGO Popcorn Machine is built by Dimexart, and created entirely using LEGO blocks! The build brings to mind the image of the iconic popcorn machines you typically see in movie theaters. The machine features a glorious retro-style theme and is built using 955 pieces. Interestingly, even the popcorn is made from LEGO blocks!

2. LEGO A-frame Cabin

The iconic A-frame cabin is one of the most appealing and visually memorable home styles since its inception in the 1950s. And LEGO user Norton74 beautifully captured the essence of the A-frame cabin with this adorable LEGO build. The LEGO cabin feels amazingly real, and features immaculately detailed insides, with every corner revealing something new.

3. The LEGO Ideas Tabletop Air Hockey

The LEGO Ideas Tabletop Air Hockey kit perfectly captures the fun and joy of slinging a puck from the left to right, as you attempt to score a goal while protecting your own post. There is no air involved in this build, and it is fan-made by LordFamousTulip100 and has garnered nearly 1000 votes on the global LEGO forum.

4. LEGO Miller’s Planet Scene

This iconic Miller’s Planet scene from the Interstellar movie was recreated by LEGO builder Minibrick Productions, and it features the ranger aircraft, astronauts Cooper and Brad, and the shapeshifting robots TARS and Case. Both McConaughey and Hathaway come outfitted in their space suits, while the robots have repositionable arms that let them walk like humans.

5. The LEGO® Jurassic World Dinosaur Fossils: T. rex Skull

The LEGO® Jurassic World Dinosaur Fossils: T. rex Skull (76964) is designed to be the first Jurassic World set intended for museum-like display. The 577-piece set consists of a T. Rex skull with an opening jaw, and a stand to display it. The unique build also comes along with an info plaque, an amber piece at the back, and a fossilized footprint.

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Teenage Engineering Grip Car tests how far your minimalism loyalty can go

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The minimalism design trend is still going strong, especially because of how it leans toward an economy of resources and production. Of course, it isn’t the only design paradigm around, nor is it always the best for every kind of product. Cars, for example, don’t easily lend themselves to minimalism because of the assortment of complex parts, some of which are required to be designed in a certain way to be safe and legal. Toy cars, on the other hand, don’t have such limitations, and aside from faithfully recreating existing cars, they can come in a variety of designs and interpretations. This particular “doodad,” for example, probably stretches the definition of a car while also trying to see how much people will be willing to pay for an odd yet beautifully minimalist toy car.

Designer: Anders Hermansen for Teenage Engineering

There’s a standard definition for a car, but that doesn’t apply to toys, especially not this one. In fact, the only semblance it has to a car is having four wheels, two on each side of an elongated body. This “grip car,” as it is called, doesn’t even run on its own, unlike the more advanced battery-powered vehicles that kids (and some adults) clamor for during holiday sales. It’s more like those wooden or plastic cars for toddlers that you grip by the body and move using your own power. You can push it forward or backward, spin it around, and turn it in any direction, but that’s pretty much it.

Of course, teenage engineering didn’t earn its fame from making toys. Like its other electronic products, the Grip Car is a glowing example of fine engineering and meticulous design, without the electronics in this case. The parts are CNC machined from 6063-T6 aluminum as well as stainless steel while utilizing rubber for parts like the tires. The red model gets a glossy paint job while the black and aluminum versions sport a matte surface instead. No matter at which angle you look at it, it hardly looks like a car, unless you’re simply talking about the undercarriage or even just the axles.

What differentiates the Grip Car even further from other toy cars is its mechanics, particularly the ball bearings that allow the car to spin 360 degrees while still keeping all four wheels grounded. This is the part where the “engineering” in teenage engineering really shines, even when there are none of the brand’s usual electronics involved. Thanks to this smooth movement and physical interaction, the toy car really encourages playful moments, making the Grip Car both a striking desk decoration as well as an addictive desk fidget toy.

The slight bump on the road is the Grip Car’s $250 price tag, an amount that sounds almost ridiculous for a beautiful yet still crude toy car. People have paid more for well-designed products, of course, but there will always be a point when it gets a little excessive. teenage engineering has established quite a name for itself, especially in the high-end audio equipment market, but it remains to be seen how well this super-minimalist and super-expensive doodad will sell.

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LEGO Brings Animal Crossing to Life with 5 Nintendo-Themed Play Experiences

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After the runaway success of LEGO’s Super Mario build, the company is partnering again with Nintendo to make brick-based versions of scenes from their hit game, Animal Crossing. Made popular on Nintendo Switch, the company’s highly popular handheld gaming console, Animal Crossing is a game where players inhabit and civilize a desert island, turning it into a burgeoning, flourishing society. LEGO hand-picked some iconic scenes from the game, introducing popular characters in the form of minifigures that children can play with. Parents, however, will appreciate the fact that this entire endeavor is screen-free!

Designers: LEGO & Nintendo

The lineup consists of five unique sets, each beautifully capturing the essence of Animal Crossing’s most beloved characters and locations. Prices range from a wallet-friendly $14.99 to a more premium $74.99, ensuring there’s something for every fan, regardless of their budget. The sets vary in complexity, with piece counts ranging from a modest 164 pieces to an impressive 535 pieces, offering both simplicity and challenge for builders of different skill levels.

The series kicks off with “Isabelle’s House Visit” (Set 77049), boasting 389 pieces and featuring characters Isabelle & Fauna. It’s a medium-sized set, priced at $39.99 USD, and stands over 6.5 inches high and 10 inches wide when assembled. For those seeking a more compact experience, “Julian’s Birthday Party” (Set 77046) offers a 170-piece build featuring the character Julian, priced at $14.99 USD. This set measures over 3.5 inches high, 6.5 inches wide, and 4 inches deep in its standard configuration.

“Bunnie’s Outdoor Activities” (Set 77047) is another delightful addition, comprising 164 pieces and priced at $19.99 USD. This set captures the whimsical outdoor adventures of the character Bunnie. The “Kapp’n’s Island Boat Tour” (Set 77048) is a slightly larger set with 233 pieces, featuring characters Kapp’n and Marshal, and is priced at $29.99 USD. The crown jewel of the collection is undoubtedly “Nook’s Cranny & Rosie´s House” (Set 77050), the largest set with 535 pieces, featuring Tom Nook & Rosie. This elaborate set is the most expensive, priced at $74.99 USD.

Each of these sets not only stands out on its own but also forms part of a larger, interconnected LEGO Animal Crossing world. The possibility to interchange elements between sets adds a layer of customization and creativity, allowing fans to create their unique versions of this beloved universe. In sum, the LEGO Animal Crossing series is a dream come true for fans, combining the immersive world of the game with the hands-on creativity of LEGO building. So, whether you’re a fan of Animal Crossing, a LEGO enthusiast, or both, these sets are a perfect way to bring a bit of that peaceful, playful spirit into your home. Just remember, unlike the game, you can’t pay for these with bells – get your wallets ready for some real-world currency action!

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Watch 1:1 LEGO technic gears go round and round

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When you don’t have anything to do and want to kill time, you probably just search for random videos on Reels or YouTube that caters to your interest and curiosity. Lego build videos are some of the most popular ones out there. If you’re like me who’s more interested in watching people create Lego structures than actually building one myself, then these videos are catnip for you. It’s pretty interesting to see how they are able to create these masterpieces and also film them for the enjoyment of other people.

Designer: Brick Experiment Channel

The Brick Experiment Channel is a YouTube channel that is more on the experimental side (well, it’s in their name after all) and their latest video proves that. They wanted to try for the longest chain of LEGO technic gears but the catch is they have to retain the same gear ratio of 1:1 from the first gear to the last one. This means that from beginning to end, the gears have to rotate at the same speed. Spoiler alert: They were able to add up to reach a gear count of 111. Seeing them reach that number is pretty impressive especially if you watch from beginning to end.

The video is able to show the entire process from when they started with just a few gears until they reached their limit. The gears are in gray while “platform” is red so you get a very minimalist feel unlike with most lego builds where you get a cacophony of colors and shapes most of the time. Towards the end when they completed the 111 gears, they were even able to change direction and do 3 full rotations of backlash. If you have the same tools as they do then you can probably do some experimenting on your own.

There’s something infinitely satisfying about seeing all the gears going around as they keep adding to the build, similar to what we feel when watching those Rube Goldberg machine chain-reaction type of videos. This is actually an older video so you can explore some more of their newer experiments involving gears and LEGOs on their YouTube channel.

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The Little Toy is an Eames-inspired Ticket To Some Retro Fun and Creativity

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For everyone who loves DIY and spaces, this one’s for you! The Eames Office just pulled off the ultimate nostalgia move by resurrecting The Little Toy, a blast from the past that hasn’t seen the light of day since 1961. Charles and Ray Eames, the dynamic design duo, cooked up this gem in 1952 as a tabletop spin-off of their iconic creation, The Toy. And trust me, it’s not just a reissue; it’s a time-traveling invitation to creativity for both the OG fans and the newbies.

Designer: Eames Office

The Toy was for playing “in,” but The Little Toy is all about playing “with.” It’s like they miniaturized the fun, letting you build tiny sets, tents, and houses to jazz up your toy collection. Unlike its flexible predecessor, The Little Toy uses sturdier cardboard panels. It is a DIY dreamland for kids and grown-ups.

The Eames magic remains intact – freedom to build whatever your creative heart desires. The Little Toy consists of colored cardboard panels that are tougher than ever, replacing the old plastic-coated paper which is also a gesture towards sustainability. And forget the dowel rods; they’ve jazzed up the assembly with wireframes, making it a breeze to dive into the creative process.

Back in the day (1952-1961 to be exact), The Toy was the answer to space issues and a game-changer when paired with other toys. Tigrett Enterprises of Kansas made sure this mini marvel was a hit. It’s a testament to the Eameses’ knack for turning everyday materials into something extraordinary.

Fast forward to now, and The Little Toy is back, sporting a retro price tag of $79. This reissue isn’t just about reliving the good ol’ days; it’s an open invitation to explore prefab architecture and modular magic. With its vibrant panels and snazzy wireframes, you can go wildcrafting toy houses, funky sculptures, or even desktop architectural wonders.

This revived Little Toy isn’t just a relic; it’s your golden ticket to unlocking creativity, just like it did over fifty years ago. The Eames Office has not only resurrected a classic but handed you a chance to embrace that timeless spirit of play and innovation. So, what are you waiting for? Dive into the past and let your creativity run wild!

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LEGO Brings Adorable A-Frame Cabin to Life with Amazing Details

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An architectural icon from the years 1950 to 1975, the A-Frame cabin still remains one of the most eye-catching and visually memorable home styles. Characterized by an A-shaped design, the frame eschews a ceiling, instead opting for tapering walls that create a unique space to inhabit, with the option of high ceilings or even multi-level living that feels dynamic yet rustic at the same time. This cabin designed in LEGO bricks by LEGO user Norton74, captures the trend of the A-Frame heyday. In ways it also challenges the very nature of the LEGO Brick, which was itself designed to make traditional cuboidal structures back when it was invented in the 1930s.

Designer: Norton74

The beauty of Norton74’s A-Frame cabin is just how remarkably real it is. Whether observed from the outside or even its immaculately detailed insides, every corner of this build has something new to reveal. The cabin itself sits on a stone brick plinth, with colorful larch trees in the background. It’s mildly decrepit, with crooked staircases and boarded-up doors, but that adds to its charm.

The inside of the cabin shows exactly how charmingly rustic and cozy it is. A multi-level design gives you a recreational area at the bottom (with a fireplace), and a bedroom on the top that features two single beds and even some cobwebs on the wall for that forest charm. To access the insides of the cabin, all you need to do is ‘open’ its slanting walls outwards. Hinges on the bottom of the walls make it easy to access the interiors during play-time, and close it back once you’re done.

The inside is just filled with all sorts of details, from tools to trinkets, and even a tiny kitchen of sorts with a dining table. Norton74’s rather mindfully used discolored wooden bricks (including even some with shingle detailing) to mimic the variety often found in wooden cabins – especially ones that have been repaired and restored.

There’s even a backstory to Norton74’s cabin design. “Two brothers, Dan and Ethan, burned out on modern working believed that stripping away modern comforts and living more simply in nature would lead to a more spiritually a creatively fulfilling life. They looked for a cabin in the woods and finally found out this old wooden A-Frame Cabin. They fixed it up, and now they live there happily,” he mentions.

Dan and Ethan aren’t the only occupants of the cabin. Aside from the spiders on the first floor, the cabin is also accompanied by chickens, rodents, a skunk, and even a bear lurking around in the back.

Norton74’s LEGO A-Frame Cabin started its journey as a submission on the LEGO Ideas forum, where it received overwhelming support from the LEGO fanbase. Earlier this year, LEGO turned Norton74’s submission into a retail box kit (you can buy the LEGO A-Frame Cabin right now), although the design went through multiple rounds of changes to make it smaller and simpler for younger users to build. If you ask me, I prefer Norton74’s MOC (My Own Creation) overwhelmingly. It’s charmingly crude, has a son-of-the-soil appeal to it, and certainly possesses much more character if you ask me!

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LEGO and Air Hockey Combine in This DIY Brick-Based Mini Table

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Although there’s no air involved in this particular build, the LEGO Ideas Tabletop Air Hockey kit captures the joy of slinging a puck around from left to right, trying to score a goal while protecting your own post. Submitted to the LEGO Ideas forum, this fan-made build from ‘LordFamousTulip100’ sits on the global LEGO forum with nearly a 1000 votes.

Designer: LordFamousTulip100

With a highly sturdy reliable construction that can easily handle the occasional violence of Air Hockey, LordFamousTulip100’s build comprises a staggering 2,500 bricks. The playing surface is smooth, has all the markings, and is spacious enough to accommodate two players comfortably. It’s still compact enough that the entire apparatus can sit on a coffee table, occupying perhaps the same amount of space as a large board game.

“The model features two brick build mallets and two pucks, which the goal can comfortably fit and store when you are not playing,” says designer LordFamousTulip100. “The playing surface is made with the largest pieces possible to ensure a smooth game.”

The board also features a goal counter to keep score, and has exposed dotted bricks on either side that you can plug your mallets/strikers into when not in use. The lack of air-based lubrication may be the one thing really missing from this game, but it makes up for it with the ability to be customized/modified thanks to the open-source LEGO-based design!

The post LEGO and Air Hockey Combine in This DIY Brick-Based Mini Table first appeared on Yanko Design.

Top 10 Intriguing LEGO Masterbuilds To Create At Home Over The Weekend

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Building intricate little LEGO structures was one of my favorite hobbies as a kid. I would love sitting and spending hours building the adorable little builds. I’m sure most of us have nostalgic and heartwarming memories associated with LEGO blocks from our childhood, as well as the not-so-heartwarming ones of stepping on them with our feet and feeling an insane amount of pain shoot up our legs. Despite these wonderful childhood memories, LEGO is no longer considered child’s play! Master builders, artists, and LEGO enthusiasts all over the world are creating impressive LEGO builds that’ll blow your minds away. They are a result of their hours of dedication, attention to detail, hard work, and creativity. And we’ve put together some mindblowing LEGO builds that recently took our breath away! From a LEGO T-Rex to a LEGO Popcorn Machine – these LEGO builds are gonna get LEGO lovers drooling over them.

1. LEGO Popcorn Machine

Designed by Dimexart, this Popcorn Machine is built entirely from LEGO. It is reminiscent of the iconic popcorn machines you usually see in movie theaters. It features a glorious retro-style theme and is created using 955 pieces. In fact, even the popcorn is built using LEGO bricks!

2. LEGO Miller’s Planet Scene

LEGO builder Minibrick Productions recreated the iconic Miller’s Planet scene from the Interstellar movie with this tiny LEGO-based recreation that includes the ranger aircraft, astronauts Cooper and Brad, and the shapeshifting robots TARS and CASE. McConaughey and Hathaway come outfitted in their space suits, while TARS and CASE, the two robots feature repositionable arms that enable them to walk like humans.

3. The LEGO® Jurassic World Dinosaur Fossils: T. rex Skull

The LEGO® Jurassic World Dinosaur Fossils: T. rex Skull (76964) is one of the first Jurassic World sets intended for museum-like display. It is a 577-piece set that includes a T. Rex skull with an opening jaw, and a stand to proudly display it. The build also includes an info plaque, an amber piece at the back, and a fossilized footprint.

4. LEGO Snow Globe

LEGO-builder BrickAbe designed a functioning snow globe! However, what makes the snow globe even more special is that it features YouTube’s most well-known fictional character – the anime girl from the LoFi Girl YouTube channel, who is known for her endless streams of beautiful downtempo music.

5. The LEGO Art space poster “The Moon: Earth’s Companion”

The LEGO Art space poster “The Moon: Earth’s Companion” is a celebration of the beauty and glory of the moon and is built using 2360 bricks, it features realistic craters and terrains and is built with an immense amount of attention to detail. The brick-built Moon is a unique fan-made creation that perfectly captures the essence of the moon.

6. LEGO Piranha Plant

Dubbed the Piranha Plant, this LEGO build by Super Mario Landscape is a super cute desk accessory for all the Mario fans and lovers out there. The plant is made using 540 bricks, and stands tall at 9 inches, featuring an adjustable head, positionable leaves, a moveable jaw, and two golden coins that can be dropped into the plant’s pipe.

7. LEGO NIKE Air Jordan 11

LEGO Hungarian builder, Tamás Borján took his love for sneakers to a whole ‘nother level with the NIKE Air Jordan 11 LEGO build. Built using the beloved plastic building blocks, the Jordans feature a unique spin by Tamás. They are a perfect symbol of style and basketball prowess!

8. LEGO Magic Maze

Meet the Magic Maze! This immersive game is a complete treat for LEGO enthusiasts as it provides hours of fun. It basically involves guiding a marble around the challenging playing field. You need to skillfully tilt the seat, and navigate past the treacherous holes and obstacles. It’s a true test of dexterity and strategy, making it a perfect addition to your collection.

9. LEGO Tower Chess

This Tower Chess by Ferbrick1 basically disguises a board game as home decor! The build is cleverly designed and is morphed into a unique castle tower that stores chess pieces in built-in racks. The board also wraps around to form the tower’s brick facade, hiding the entire chess set underneath it.

10. LEGO FedEx Truck

LEGO fan David Clavijo designed FedEx’s iconic truck using LEGO bricks in celebration of FedEx’s 50th anniversary. The company boasts an inspiring workforce of over 500,000 employees, a fleet of 700+ aircraft, and 200,000 vehicles. This unique build pays tribute to the company!

The post Top 10 Intriguing LEGO Masterbuilds To Create At Home Over The Weekend first appeared on Yanko Design.

Fortifying the Future: Mastering Cybersecurity in the Age of Generative AI

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Cybersecurity Generative AI

In an era where digital transformation is at the heart of business evolution, Generative AI stands out as a marvel of innovation. This subset of artificial intelligence, known for its ability to create original content—from text to images—holds immense potential. However, its capabilities also make it a double-edged sword in the realm of cybersecurity. For […]

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The Iconic Interstellar ‘Miller’s Planet Scene’ gets its own Adorable LEGO Brick Recreation

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“Cooper! This is no time for caution.”

As the Ranger Ship descended on Miller’s Planet, hope suddenly turned to dismay and then to horror as Joseph Cooper and Dr. Brand realized that not only was the planet unviable for human life, their crew member was dead, they had wasted 23 years simply in the minutes they spent on the planet’s surface, and they were just mere moments away from a killer tidal wave approaching them from the horizon. The scene from blockbuster space-thriller Interstellar is noteworthy for causing a wide range of emotions and creating a visual tension only director Christopher Nolan can conjure. Now, LEGO builder Minibrick Productions is paying tribute to the Miller’s Planet scene with their tiny LEGO-based recreation that features the ranger aircraft, astronauts Cooper and Brand, and the shapeshifting robots TARS and CASE.

Designer: Minibrick Productions

Miller’s Planet is the first of the 3 planets explored by the group of astronauts looking for a viable alternative to earth. While crew-member Romilly stays back on the main ship, Cooper and Brand (played by Michael McConaughey and Anne Hathaway) travel to the planet, located close to a black hole. Little did they know that not only would this visit be futile, it would cost them decades because of the planet’s proximity to the black hole, causing a warp in space-time. Minibrick Productions’ rendition of this scene is as accurate as it gets, with all the characters and a rather realistic-looking Ranger spacecraft to match. McConaughey and Hathaway come outfitted in their space suits, while TARS and CASE, two monolithic-looking robots sport repositionable arms that allow them to walk like a human.

The Ranger craft itself is more than just aesthetic. Pop its hood off and there’s an entire cockpit where Cooper and Brand fit right in, along with a crawl-space where TARS or CASE can dock themselves. The rear hatch on the craft can open and close too, revealing the ramp through which the astronauts enter and exit the craft.

“This set would be mindless fun to a child who dreams of exploring space, as well as any collector who wishes to display one of the most iconic vehicles from science fiction,” says Minibrick Productions, the creator behind this LEGO scene. The LEGO Miller’s Planet scene from Interstellar comprises just 532 bricks, making it a relatively simple build for kids and enthusiasts alike. It currently sits in LEGO’s Ideas forum with over 4000 votes from the community. If it reaches the 10,000 mark, LEGO’s internal team will review it before turning it from a fan-made submission into a box-set that anyone can buy. Click here to vote for this build!

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