The interlocking LEGO bricks are probably one of the most versatile toys to come out of the 20th century, but aside from the Duplo larger-sized version for smaller kids, they don’t come in what you might term grown-up sizes. This has not deterred [Veranda Vikings] though, who have come up with the fantastic idea of giant LEGO bricks made from snow.
Making them is simplicity itself given enough depth of the white stuff, simply press the lid of one of those plastic LEGO storage bins into some fresh snowfall hard enough to compact your brick, and then lift clear a perfect icy 2 by 2 brick. Most of the post is devoted to the building escapades of some very happy kids, and we can’t help envying them the opportunity. It appears that like the LEGO fries in the cafe at Legoland in Bilund, these bricks don’t quite interlock. We think that it would be possible to press the LEGO storage lid into the bottom of them though, perhaps some readers would like to experiment.
Either way, this is a hack to warm the hearts of readers worldwide, whether they live in a country with snow or not. We’re surprised Lego themselves haven’t caught on to the idea, and sold giant snow-brick moulds.
Great idea!
But, instead of using the “bricks” to build the entire structure and have the gaps caused by the buttons of the lower bricks, use regular blocks of snow for lower tiers, and place the faux snow LEGO on the top tier.
Can’t you take the lid of the lego bucket and press holes into the bottom, so they would actually interlock?
As mentioned at the bottom of paragraph 2…
Indeed.
If you want an engineering point of view, the problem of snow castles is like constructing out of rammed earth. You have to move the loose stuff up there, then pack it down until it’s nice and solid, and then shape it straight and true when it’s already compacted and hard. If you press it into bricks first, you solve two out of three right from the start.
> We’re surprised Lego themselves haven’t caught on to the idea, and sold giant snow-brick moulds.
It sounds like they have. ;)
Concrete has been poured into lego like blocks for many (100+?) years. Both for use as temporary structures, and for longer time use.
They are called Legato blocks. That’s italian for “tied together” but also a nice play on Lego.
Using only 6-8% cement by weight allows Interlocking CSEB blocks excellent quality and durability while minimizing co2 production and utilizing locally sourced dirt adjusted to an ideal composition (15% gravel 50% sand 15% silt 20% clay).
https://youtu.be/j9csea9AMQU?si=TQ5VD7C-0D3e-fLl
Google “snow brick maker” for … well, snow brick makers, sold under a lot of names for a few bucks, and better for forts/igloos and, best of all, bases for snow lanterns (snölykta). I’m surprised that the “Veranda Vikings” didn’t do one of those.
[Text added for the following link to be posted]
https://www.raisinghooks.com/snolykta-a-swedish-snow-lantern/
Actually they have! (Lego x target collab)
oddly, while a target collab….
currently available at walmart.com and amazon.com but not at target LOL
You’re forgetting Quattro – Lego’s (sadly briefly produced) XXL version – twice the size of duplo, but compatible like duplo and Lego are. Great for making terrain for railways or chairs for small children.
And the even bigger than Quattro soft bricks Lego make/made (not sure which) for the youngest of builders. Which I think are also the same scale as some if not all off the ‘giant’ Lego brick storage box type stuff.
THE GIANT LEGO WITH WHICH YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO PLAY
I have the Lego version of this. It came with two bricks plus human sized version of the minifigure shovel and a flag. It’s fantastic.
Have the Inuit been informed of this?
They don’t need to be informed, they have Inuitition!