By Renee Larr
Earth Explorer Toys is encouraging Hoosier pride and creativity through its annual Lego building contest.
The competition has categories for children in kindergarten to fourth grade and fifth to ninth grade. Entries should have an Indiana theme.
“We made the theme Indiana Landmarks so it would tie in with the grade school curriculum,” said Terri Bracken, head explorer at Earth Explorer Toys. “We were hoping the STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) teachers would put it out to the students as extra credit.”
The entries can be as simple or as elaborate as the child can imagine.
“Last year, the entry that won was actually Azionaqua — the pool, the building, the lifeguards — it was adorable,” Bracken said. “We had a couple of people do things like the (Chase Tower) building downtown. We are just really encouraging. They can make it as simple as the gazebo here in Lions Park. They could do their school.”
First, second and third prizes are available for each age category. Entries should be dropped off between Jan. 20 and 30 at Earth Explorer Toys, 27 E. Pine Street. Voting will take place in the store and on the Earth Explorer Toys Facebook page.
“The earlier they get it in, the more votes they can get,” Bracken said. “Fifty percent of the determining factor will be the votes. The other 50 percent is chosen by the Earth Explorer Toys staff. The big thing is we want to make sure they’re doing it and not their parents. That’s why we reserve the right to choose.”
The story will host a Lego Playdate event from noon to 5 p.m. Jan. 30. Voting will end at 3 p.m. that day, with the winners announced at 5 p.m. For more information, visit earthexplorertoys.com.
