Where to find LEGO play areas in Sharjah?

For families in Sharjah whose children possess an insatiable curiosity for building and creating, discovering dedicated LEGO play areas can be a dream come true, offering endless opportunities for imaginative construction and skill development. We understand the unique appeal of LEGO, a timeless toy that transcends generations, fostering creativity, problem-solving, and fine motor skills in young builders.

Bricks 4 Kidz UAE: Dedicated LEGO-Based Learning

One of the most prominent and dedicated providers of LEGO-based play and education in the UAE, including Sharjah, is Bricks 4 Kidz UAE. They specialize in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) education through LEGO bricks, making learning fun and interactive. While they don’t have a permanent, large-scale public “play area” in a mall in Sharjah in the same vein as some other cities might, they actively conduct a variety of programs that include extensive LEGO play. Their offerings typically include:

• After-School Enrichment Programs: These sessions take place in various schools across Sharjah, where children engage in structured LEGO building activities, often focusing on themes like robotics, engineering, or architecture.
• Holiday Camps: During school breaks (summer, winter, spring), Bricks 4 Kidz organizes popular camps that are packed with LEGO building challenges, creative play, and team projects. These camps are an excellent opportunity for children to immerse themselves in LEGO for extended periods.
• Workshops and Events: They frequently host standalone workshops at various community centers, libraries, or even as part of larger festivals in Sharjah. These workshops often involve building specific models, participating in LEGO challenges, or exploring basic robotics concepts.
• Birthday Parties: Parents can book LEGO-themed birthday parties through Bricks 4 Kidz, where certified instructors lead building activities, ensuring a memorable and engaging experience for all young guests.

To find out about their current programs and locations in Sharjah, we highly recommend visiting the Bricks 4 Kidz UAE official website or contacting them directly. They are often present at major children’s events in the emirate, providing pop-up play zones.

FIRST LEGO League: Competitive Building and STEM

For children with a burgeoning interest in STEM and robotics, the FIRST LEGO League (FLL) offers a more structured and competitive avenue for LEGO play. While FLL is a global program, it has a strong presence in the UAE, with teams forming in schools and educational centers across Sharjah. FLL is divided into three age-appropriate divisions:

• FLL Discover (ages 4-6): Introduces fundamental STEM concepts through playful, hands-on activities using LEGO DUPLO bricks.
• FLL Explore (ages 6-10): Teams work to design and build robots using LEGO Education SPIKE Essential or WeDo 2.0, focusing on engineering fundamentals and real-world problem-solving.
• FLL Challenge (ages 9-16): This competitive division involves teams designing, building, and programming autonomous robots using LEGO MINDSTORMS or SPIKE Prime to complete missions on a themed playing field.

While these are not “open play areas,” many educational institutes in Sharjah, such as Young Scientists or Brilliant Minds Institute, offer courses and workshops that prepare children for FLL competitions. These centers provide dedicated spaces and expert guidance for children to engage in advanced LEGO building and robotics. If your child is passionate about engineering and technology, exploring these FLL-aligned programs can offer an unparalleled LEGO experience.

The Junior Museum in Sharjah: Interactive LEGO Elements

The Junior Museum in Sharjah, an immersive edutainment experience at Expo Centre Sharjah, while not exclusively a LEGO play area, often incorporates elements of interactive building and creative play that resonate with LEGO fans. Given its focus on hands-on learning across zones like the “Machine Zone” and “Science Zone,” it’s common for such interactive museums to feature building blocks or construction sets, including LEGO-style bricks, to illustrate engineering or design principles. While specific details would need to be confirmed directly with the venue, the spirit of creative construction is very much aligned with the Junior Museum’s mission.

General Indoor Play Areas: Occasional LEGO Zones

Some larger indoor play areas and entertainment centers within Sharjah’s malls might feature a dedicated section or a table with LEGO bricks as part of their diverse offerings. While these are not primary LEGO destinations, they can provide a casual opportunity for children to build. For instance, large soft play parks or family entertainment centers might include a “creative corner” with building blocks. It’s always worth checking with individual venues like Magic Planet (at City Centre Sharjah) or other family entertainment centers in malls like Zero 6 Mall or Rahmania Mall to see if they have such a feature. These are generally smaller, unsupervised play areas within a larger facility.

LEGO Certified Stores: Glimpses of Play in Dubai

It’s important to note that while Sharjah has a thriving children’s activity scene, the largest dedicated “LEGO Certified Stores” with extensive play areas are primarily found in neighboring Dubai. Stores like the ones in Mall of the Emirates, Dubai Mall, and City Centre Mirdif feature interactive play areas (like “Build-a-Minifigure” stations and “Pick & Build Walls”) and sometimes host in-store events or workshops. While this requires a short trip to Dubai, for a truly immersive LEGO retail and play experience, these stores are worth considering. LEGOLAND® Dubai, part of Dubai Parks and Resorts, is of course the ultimate LEGO theme park experience in the region, offering a vast array of LEGO-themed rides, attractions, and building zones.

Local Toy Stores: Smaller Scale Play

Many local toy stores in Sharjah, especially those within major shopping malls like City Centre Al Zahia (e.g., The Toys Home), will have a strong selection of LEGO sets for purchase. While they typically don’t have dedicated, large-scale play areas, some might have small demonstration tables or designated corners where children can briefly try out new LEGO sets or engage in quick builds. This is more of a retail experience with a touch of play rather than a dedicated play area, but it can still satisfy a child’s urge to build on the go.

Maximizing Your LEGO Play Opportunities

Finding the perfect LEGO play area in Sharjah largely depends on the type of experience you’re seeking. For structured learning and skill development, dedicated programs like those offered by Bricks 4 Kidz or FLL-aligned centers are ideal. For general, casual play, some larger indoor play areas might have small sections. For the most extensive and immersive LEGO play, a trip to the dedicated LEGO Certified Stores or LEGOLAND® in Dubai might be necessary. Always check the official websites or contact the venues directly for the most current information on their offerings, schedules, and any associated costs. This guide has been carefully compiled by the www.few.ae team.