18 LEGO Build Ideas for When You Hit a Brick Wall

This creative LEGO game challenges players to build an island, then add to that island in response to a variety of "disasters." For example, an imminent zombie invasion means they would need to build a defensive shelter, or a sinking island means finding a way to get to higher ground. You can find a bunch of challenge ideas, including a link to the printable, on The Lego Librarian blog.

Frugal Fun 4 Boys and Girls has so many cool ideas for LEGO builds, projects and activities, like this tutorial for making a marble run out of LEGO bricks. The cool thing is that she provides plenty of helpful tips and ideas for how to make it, along with photos of the one she built, but does NOT give you step by step instructions to build it exactly the same way. That way, kids can enjoy the challenge of a making their own unique and creative LEGO build.

Make your own chess board using flat LEGO bricks, and mix & match characters (or other LEGOs!) for the pieces. This LEGO project is very forgiving, with lots of room for creativity - as long as you have two noticeably different color themes, and enough pieces to serve as pawns, bishops, etc, you can successfully create and play a fun LEGO game of chess.

This tutorial has a lot of wiggle room so you can use bricks you already have. Just add a rubber band, and let the catapulting fun begin!

This easy LEGO build is bright, colorful, and uses basic bricks you probably already have - though you may need to be flexible with your color choices!

Mombrite has so many excellent LEGO building ideas which incorporate STEM challenges, and typically only use basic bricks most people already have in their collections. This balloon powered boat is simple, yet offers a creative way to play with LEGOs most kids would probably not come up with on their own.

This LEGO Balance scale uses pieces from the Klutz Lego Chain Reactions Kit. And, while the set may not be part of everyone’s brick collection, it is a great and inexpensive addition for anyone who wants to build contraptions that move.

This Minecraft Pickaxe is to scale, and uses only basic bricks that most people already have.

These 3D Pacman ghosts are a fun LEGO build for those who appreciate the classic arcade game. Though most of the pieces are pretty common, it does require several bricks with studs, so make sure you have enough of those before beginning this LEGO project.

A cute and simple LEGO project with enough flexibility in the build instructions that most people can make some version of it with their existing LEGO collection.

A sweet and easy LEGO build that would also make cute Valentine favors for school.

A fun project on its own, but also great for incorporating into bigger LEGO building projects.

After completing this LEGO build, kids can use their creation to put on their own finger puppet shows.

Who doesn't love candy dispensers? Make your own using this great LEGO build idea from Frugal Fun 4 Boys and Girls.

Although castles are classic LEGO building ideas kids can make using their own imaginations, this video tutorial provides inspiration for those who need it.