As we discussed just about a year ago (see: Discover a Unique Section of the LEGO Shop), the updated version of the Online LEGO Shop has a section titled “Discover”, that gives you quick access to the websites of the LEGO Life app, LEGO Education, LEGOLAND Parks, a list of recently retired sets, and instructions for the LEGO Monthly Mini Build models. 🙂
The LEGO Monthly Mini Build event is held at official LEGO stores usually at the beginning of each month. Basically, children ages 6-14 can build a mini model polybag set while at the store, that they can then take home. As space is limited at each store for these events, advanced registration is required. Registration opens on the 15th of the month prior to the event. To reserve a spot for your child, visit Shop.LEGO.com/MiniBuild-Registration.
Once the event is over, LEGO posts the instructions under the LEGO Monthly Mini Build section of the Discover tab at the Online LEGO Shop. This is sort of a hidden and unadvertised feature many LEGO fans don’t notice, so from time to time I like to remind our readers what a great resource this is for fun small builds.
The Monthly Mini Builds are always fun, and this year they don’t disappoint either; in January, we got the #40276 LEGO Walrus, in February the #40277 Cart and Gas Pump, in March the #40278 LEGO Lamb, and in April the #40279 LEGO Frog. PDF instructions for all four can be downloaded at the above-mentioned link. And although instructions are not available yet, here is what you can look forward to in the upcoming months; #40280 LEGO Tractor in May, #40281 LEGO Surfer Dragon in June, #40282 LEGO BBQ in July, #40283 LEGO Snail in August, #40284 LEGO Glider in September, #40285 LEGO Scarecrow in October, #40286 LEGO Ice Dragon in November, and #40287 LEGO Sleigh in December.
Even if you don’t have the Monthly Mini Builds polybags themselves, if you have a decent selection of loose LEGO elements (especially from the LEGO Creator and LEGO Classic lines), you should be able to build most of the models from the instructions. Finding and substituting pieces is part of the fun, so don’t be afraid to get creative and use the instructions as suggestions instead of something set in stone. And, if you do want to collect the polybags, you can find them on the secondary market, either individually, or in bulk lots. Here are some of the current listings available on Amazon: LEGO MONTHLY MINI MODEL BUILDS
The Monthly Mini Builds are small and cute, usually depicting animals or vehicles that kids can easily build. They are great to keep children occupied on a rainy day, or even use them for fun contests, birthday parties, and family nights. Just print out several copies of the instructions and see who can build them first, or build them in different colors, or whatever other rules you would like to make up. And, if you are an older teen or adult LEGO fan with no kids around, you can use the Monthly Mini Builds for short building sessions and to learn interesting building ideas and techniques.
For other small builds that are similar and are available in regular LEGO sets, check out the LEGO Creator and LEGO Classic sections of the Online LEGO Shop. LEGO Classic, in particular, has some small, inexpensive sets with alternate building instructions and free-building suggestions. You can find them at the Online LEGO Shop.
What do you think? Have you been keeping up with the Monthly Mini Builds? Do you collect the sets, or do you just use the online instructions to build them? And how do you like the models? Feel free to share your thoughts and own reviews in the comment section below! 😉
And you might also like to check out the following related posts:
We look forward to the new builds every month. They are cute. If you have more than one child, you can even make it into a little contest between them.
I like small sets like these. They are great for a quick break from work and a little relaxation.
The link to the mini build webpage works, but it looks like January, February and March’s mini build instructions are not accessible and are “archived”. Do you have another link for the archives and to access the PDFs, please?
Thank you for your articles. I don’t comment often, but I am reading.
Sheila, when I look at the page, the January, February, March and April mini-builds all have a download button, and when I click those buttons the PDF opens up just fine. So, I’m not sure why for you they would show as archived. However, here are the direct links where those download buttons should be taking you:
January: http://s7d2.scene7.com/is/content/LEGOMKTG/Minibuilds/2018%20MMB/PDFs/January%20-%20Walrus.pdf
February: http://s7d2.scene7.com/is/content/LEGOMKTG/Minibuilds/2018%20MMB/PDFs/February%20-%20Car%20and%20Gas%20Station.pdf
March: http://s7d2.scene7.com/is/content/LEGOMKTG/Minibuilds/2018%20MMB/PDFs/March%20-%20Lamb.pdf
April: http://s7d2.scene7.com/is/content/LEGOMKTG/Minibuilds/2018%20MMB/PDFs/April%20-%20Frog.pdf
Do these sets ever appear at retailers, or they are only available through the mini model build event?
As far as I know, they are only available through the event. But you can get them on eBay and BrickLink as well. The pieces are simple, so you will likely to build most of them with your own pieces. Of course, if you are a polybag collector, then you will likely want the original set. 😀
We live near a lego store and try to sign up for this event every month. Great activity for younger kids, and a good excuse for me to look at the new sets. 😀
Nice! I forgot about these! Thanks for the reminder!