Do you have a household full of LEGO fans? We most definitely do. From build kits to loose brick builds, and movies to video games, we love all things LEGO! What better way to celebrate as a LEGO-lover than to visit the LEGO Discovery Center D.C. For those of you who haven’t visited yet, this is the perfect place to unleash your creative side by immersing in an interactive LEGO-themed playground. You won’t want to miss this opportunity for learning and creativity through dynamic play with these iconic bricks. Hopefully, after reading this guide, you will discover why this is a must-visit attraction for families, as well as have all the information on what you must know before you go.
THE ADVENTURE BEGINS
Start your adventure by creating your very own Minifigure. The Minifigure Creator area has everything you need to design your very own mini-me. Choose from a plethora of pieces to assemble your figure from a choice of heads, torsos, legs, and even hair or hat accessories. This mini figure is interactive throughout your time in the center. You can use them in your builds and even take photos of them at different interactive zones throughout the Discovery Center. At the end, you can upload them into the digital database!
CHECK OUT A WORKSHOP
The LEGO Center DC offers an open floor plan. Providing the freedom to engage in activities at your own pace. I recommend looking into the times for workshops and attending a few! Workshops are usually held once per hour throughout the day. These workshops offer a chance to meet the Master Model Builders! These Master Builders actually teach the class and showcase how to make selected creations from loose bricks. This is extremely valuable as I found it to improve LEGO building skills through learning new techniques.
CATCH A 4-D CINEMA
Don’t miss catching a movie in the 4D Cinema. This immersive adventure brings the film you’re watching to life! Pop on your 3-D glasses to watch the screen jump out. This isn’t only a visual experience; be prepared to have all your senses engaged. Feel the wind blow through your hair, get splashed by water, watch bubbles fly by, and smoke appear. There were four movies available the day we went. Check the schedule posted at the theater to see the show and time listings.
HOP ON A RIDE
On the Imagination Express, you’ll hop aboard a family-sized chariot to defend the galaxy. Each rider gets a star wand, aka a laser shooter, and you’ll try to zap the aliens, spaceships, planets, and stars. This is a really fun ride that you’ll want to do over and over again to see who in your family can get the highest score!
BUILD AND RACE
Time to test out your skills in the Build Adventures section! I think my kids spent the most time here. Put together your very own race car and put it to the test. There are three different ramps in this area to test out your build. Race down a volcano, plummet through a pyramid, or take on the jungle jump track.
OUT OF THIS WORLD EXHIBIT
If your little one enjoys STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) activities, then they will definitely enjoy this area. Customize an out-of-this-world spacecraft. Then head over to the control center and scan your creation into cyberspace. Watch it come to life on the screen in front of you. Maneuver your spaceship as it flies through space, blast asteroids and visit planets.
MINI LAND
At first glance, one might think Mini Land is just a space for looking at and admiring LEGO. However, the display is interactive and impressive. This miniature creation of Washington, DC, was created from over a million bricks. The replica recreates DC’s most beloved landmarks, from the Capitol Building. Be sure to check out every nook and cranny of this section. You can push buttons, test out builds in a simulated earthquake, and play ball on the mini pinball machine.
SOMETHING FUN FOR EVERYONE
Don’t worry, there is something for even the youngest builder to do. DUPLO Park is a perfect place for littles aged five and under to play. This section is kept safe and fun with large DUPLO bricks only, so they can learn to build, too. This section features a dinosaur-themed carousel, a duck pond with magnetic fishing poles, a construction challenge wheel, a slide and more.
HERO ZONE
The Hero Zone is the perfect spot to put your gross motor skills to the test. In this area, you will find a police themed soft play structure, a ninja agility reaction game, and Bank bank-themed laser arena. The play area offers a space for kiddos to climb ropes, ladders, and rock walls, and go down slides. The ninja reaction game is a chance to race an opponent in a game of tagging lights the fastest. Dip, duck, dive and dodge around lasers as you race to the finish line for the best time. My oldest kids loved getting their name to the top of the leaderboard.
TIPS AND TRICKS
- Plan at least three hours for your adventure at LEGO Land Discovery Center.
- Purchase tickets in advance. Be on the lookout for deals and specials on their website.
- Schedule your visit during off-peak time. We got lucky and went on a Monday during the day since we homeschool. We were there from noon until close, and only saw four or five other families during our visit. It was like having the place to ourselves.
- Parking is easy to find. You can’t miss the signs and huge LEGO giraffe. If you are familiar with Springfield Mall, the Center is near Maggiano’s Little Italy entrance, and ride the escalators down to the first floor.
- Bring socks, they are required for playing in the Hero Zone play place. Either tears or spending a lot of money on really, totally awesome new build kits!
- Keep in mind that there is no outside food or drink allowed in the center, and once you leave, there is no readmittance. However, if you have food allergies and need to pack food, you may request a pass to eat at the tables directly outside the entrance of the store in the mall. There is also a cafe in the center with kid-friendly snacks, hot meal options, and Starbucks coffee options!
- Restrooms are on site. Family facility options are available with changing tables in all bathrooms. I recommend at least poking your head in the bathroom, as they are designed really cool.
- Be on the lookout for special events, as it is always a great deal of fun to go to seasonal themed parties.
- Prepare yourself for the exit! You scan your mini-figure into the digital world. At the LEGO center, you “make and don’t take!” Also, you will exit through the gift store. Be prepared, plan at least three hours for your adventure at LEGO Land Discovery Center.
LEGO DISCOVERY CENTER – DC INFO
- Address: 6563 Springfield Mall Suite 12004, Springfield, VA
- Hours: Week Days 10AM-5PM/ Weekends 10AM-6PM
- Price: $24.99 (Average Admission)
- Website: https://www.legodiscoverycenter.com/washington-dc/
*** The Playful Parent is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that advocates learning through play and promotes family bonding, all information and photographs are intellectual property of TPP. No monetary payment was made for featuring this attraction. All opinions are my own; I like to share experiences and information so that parents have resources on fun family outings. I hope that these tips help with your planning so that you have a great time during your next trip to ! Thank you LEGO Discovery Center-DC for inviting us to Play, Learn, Grow!***
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