Families who love LEGO in Charlottesville are in luck. Not only are there lots of LEGO experiences a short drive away, but we even have a local LEGO expert. And he’s here to help families enjoy building and creating together.
Nick Gerow has loved LEGO since early childhood. Fifteen years ago he rediscovered that love following a brief hiatus after receiving a complete Santa Fe train set from his mother for Christmas. That fateful present started him, his wife, and their three children down a path that has led to opening a local Bricks & Minifigs, a LEGO-authorized store.
At the shop, families can stop in to buy, sell, and trade LEGO sets. There are also trays of bulk LEGO ready for kids to free build at any time of day, as well as a DUPLO corner for younger builders. And on weekends, the store hosts birthday parties, where kids can build to their hearts’ content and take home their creations as favors.
“We look forward to sharing our love of LEGO with the Charlottesville community and all the enjoyment, creativity, and education it brings,” says Nick of his new retail project.
Looking for more LEGO family fun? Check out our roundup of LEGO day trips and destinations in Virginia.
LEGO Tips for Charlottesville Families
Ready for your family to bond over building? LEGO offers sets for every stage of childhood, making it easy to find the perfect one for your child. “The age [ranges] are based on ability level, and interest level once above age 8,” says Nick.
Ages 1.5-3: LEGO DUPLO
Large, easy-to-handle bricks designed for little hands. Great for color recognition, basic building, and imaginative play.
Nick explained that the DUPLO line was created with LEGO learning benefits in mind. “They are educational for the 3 and under sets, the DUPLO line. That means they help children learn about something specific like the alphabet, animals, emotions, or light and sound.”
Ages 4-6 (4+): LEGO Classic Sets
Simple sets with fewer, larger pieces. Encourages basic engineering concepts and storytelling.
“Kids are moving up the age range and difficulty level as they progress through the sets,” says Nick. “Once they’re older, they can move on into themed sets. LEGO licensed Marvel and Star Wars for 4+ for once they graduate from DUPLO sets, while introducing Minifigs and sets more in general.”
Ages 7-12: Themed LEGO Sets (City, Friends, Harry Potter, Star Wars, etc.)
More complex sets with detailed pieces. Enhances problem-solving skills and creativity.
For the City sets, Nick explained, “LEGO has released a series of food trucks the past several years, with ice cream, burger, and the most recent: donut trucks.”
Ages 12+: Advanced Sets & LEGO Technic
Challenging sets with moving parts and mechanics. Great for STEM learning and long-term projects.
Want to challenge your young builders? Kids in 4th grade and older can sign up for LEGO Robotics classes through Blue Ridge Boost or Piedmont Virginia Community College. PVCC also offers classes in film and stop action using LEGO for grades 6-8. Jefferson Madison Regional Library also has LEGO clubs and frequent LEGO build events. Watch our CharlottesvilleFamily Calendar.
Ages 18+: Display Sets and More
Challenging builds designed for display containing hundreds or even thousands of pieces.
“LEGO makes the sets larger and with more detail as the age range increases,” says Nick. “Most of these include minifigs and have more complex designs. The 18+age range includes display level sets.”
Making LEGO a Family Activity
Want to make LEGO time more than just play? Here are some ways to incorporate it into family bonding:
- Family LEGO Nights: Choose a set to build together over several nights.
- Creative Challenges: Have a family competition to build unique creations from random pieces.
- Stop-Motion Animation: Use LEGO to create fun short films.
- Storytelling: Build scenes and characters to act out stories together.
- Educational Builds: Turn LEGO into a learning tool—build famous landmarks, design a math challenge, or explore physics with Technic pieces.
Keeping LEGO Organized and Clean
With so many tiny pieces, keeping LEGO tidy can be a challenge. Nick suggests storing pieces in bins and bags, adding that, “For my kids, cubes with a door are great for storing the sets out of sight.”
Try these tips for LEGO storage ideas:
- Storage bins by color or set: Keep everything sorted and easy to find.
- Display shelves or acrylic boxes: Show off completed builds instead of taking them apart.
- LEGO mats & tables: Special play mats and tables with built-in storage help contain the mess.
- Labeling system: Use clear bins with labels so kids can clean up independently.
Wondering how to clean the many LEGO creations that your young builders want to display? Nick suggests dusting them with makeup brushes. “They do not spread the dust and they last a long time,” he explains. You can also keep sets in acrylic boxes or clean them with compressed air or paint brushes.
No matter how your family likes to build, LEGO is more than just a toy—it’s a tool for learning, creativity, and family connection. Whether your child is just beginning their LEGO journey or is an expert builder, there are endless ways for your family to have fun together exploring LEGO in Charlottesville. You might even catch some episodes of Lego-Masters and see a local grandpa – grandson team out of Richmond or a Cville mom and son team.
So grab some bricks, get building, and enjoy the memories you create together!