How to Clean LEGO Bricks and Why LEGO is Useful for Stress Management, Play Therapy, and Language Learning

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When most people think of LEGO, they envision colorful plastic bricks used for building toys and creative play. From ages three to 99, LEGO bricks and pieces are a favorite for creative play. However, LEGO has proven to be far more versatile than that. Beyond its role as a beloved toy, LEGO has found applications in fields of mental health. And because LEGO knows how versatile their bricks and pieces (and sets) are, they can be washed!

As a kid, I only had a few LEGO bricks (yep, still have them), but whenever I babysat as a teen I’d love when I could play LEGO with the kids. It’s so fun to let our imaginations create. Now, as a parent, I may buy more LEGO sets than we strictly need, but we love sitting together (or apart) and building (and rebuilding).

This post covers a lot of LEGO love, including how to clean LEGO bricks and why LEGO is useful for stress management, play therapy, and language learning. I’ll go over each of these and within each section I’ll link to peer-reviewed articles/papers on the topic because that is where the real detail lies.

Google translation screenshot to shot LEGO means 'play well' in Danish

When I got my Amazon Prime Day LEGO email last night, I had to move this scheduled December post up to today and add in links to some LEGO sets I admire related to the topic. LEGO Amazon.co.uk links are affiliate links and I earn about €5/year from it because I’m horrible at the hard sell.

LEGO bricks

Cleaning LEGO Bricks & Pieces

I’m sure you’ve figured this out already, but LEGO bricks and pieces can be cleaned. LEGO recommends “that you clean your LEGO® parts by hand using water no hotter than 104°F / 40°C and a soft cloth or sponge”. My mother used to put them all in a net laundry bag and fill the sink with room temperature (lukewarm) water and a few drops of liquid dish soap (washing up liquid as it’s known in Ireland). Easy to agitate and you don’t worry about one going down the drain. Then she’d hang it to drip the excess water for a bit, shaking the bag occasionally to shift the pieces. Once the bag stopped dripping, she’d spread them out on a towel or blanket in the sun or well-ventilated area to air dry.

You know I love a good cleaning hack, so here are links to my other cleaning posts:

Adult Stress Management

Stress is a common part of adult life, and finding effective stress management techniques is crucial for mental well-being. LEGO offers a surprisingly effective way for adults to unwind and reduce stress. Knowing this helps make sense of the huge leap of increased Kidult toy sales over the last few years. The benefits are still emerging, but a few are:

  1. Mindfulness and Focus: Building with LEGO requires concentration and focus. Engaging in this creative process can help individuals shift their attention away from stressors and into the present moment.
  2. Relaxation and Creativity: The act of assembling LEGO bricks can be soothing and meditative, promoting relaxation and reducing stress levels. It allows adults to tap into their creativity and escape the demands of everyday life.
  3. Sense of Accomplishment: Completing a LEGO project, whether it’s a small set or a complex masterpiece, can provide a sense of achievement and satisfaction, boosting self-esteem and reducing stress.

Great LEGO sets for adult stress management:

Related Journal Articles:

Play Therapy

Play therapy is a therapeutic approach that uses play to help individuals, particularly children, express their emotions and navigate difficult experiences. LEGO, with its endless creative possibilities, is an ideal medium for this purpose. Here’s how LEGO can benefit play therapy:

  1. Non-Verbal Expression: Children may find it challenging to articulate their feelings and experiences with words alone. LEGO allows them to create physical representations of their emotions, providing a non-verbal outlet for self-expression.
  2. Problem-Solving Skills: Building with LEGO encourages problem-solving and critical thinking. Children can work through complex emotions and situations by constructing and deconstructing their creations.
  3. Social Interaction: Play therapy often involves interactions with a therapist or peers. LEGO can facilitate social engagement and cooperation, as children collaborate on building projects and discuss their creations.

Great LEGO sets for play therapy:

Related Journal Articles:

Language Learning

Language learning can be a challenging process, especially for individuals learning a new language as adults. LEGO offers a unique approach to language acquisition by making learning engaging and interactive:

  1. Visual Learning: LEGO models serve as visual aids that help learners associate objects with words. This visual connection can enhance vocabulary retention.
  2. Hands-On Engagement: Hands-on activities, like building with LEGO, can boost memory retention and comprehension, making it easier to learn and remember new words and phrases.
  3. Contextual Learning: Creating scenes or scenarios with LEGO can provide context for language learning, helping learners understand how words are used in real-life situations.

Great LEGO sets for language learning:

Related Journal Articles:

LEGO has transcended its role as a child’s toy and has become a versatile tool in various therapeutic and educational contexts. Whether used as a stress management tool for adults, in play therapy to help children express their emotions, in language learning to enhance vocabulary acquisition, LEGO offers a unique and effective way to connect, learn, and relax. So, the next time you see those colorful bricks, remember that they hold the power to build bridges between individuals, languages, and stress-free moments.

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