Dallas: Legoland Discovery Center

We celebrated Ian's eighth birthday in Dallas this year.  The whole point of the trip was so go to the Lego Discovery Center.

We visited one in Atlanta earlier this year, and one in Germany a few years back - although this one is probably more like one of the Legoland resorts in the United States, maybe one day we will be able to go to one of those

Ian has basically been obsessed with Lego since after that very Germany Legoland trip, and has never looked back.  Every single birthday, Christmas, or random toy giving day - he always without fail requests a new lego set - it is kind of getting out of hand, but then again he plays with these sets literally ALL day long - so I really can't complain.

We booked our tickets in advance online (since you do safe a little) and thanks to our free subscription of the lego kids magazine, the kids had tickets for free entry - score.

 Nate was able to be there for this one - and he kind of loved it just as much as Ian did ;)

Once you enter in you get a full on tour and explanation of lego blocks are actually created, and everything that goes into that.  I had no idea, and it was super interesting and informative. This lady did a fantastic job explaining everything, and she was super passionate about lego in general.

Ian was so thrilled when we entered and they had a Ninjago section - this is his all time favorite lego collection, and he is super obsessed with it.  They spent a long time playing in this section - it is a like a kids museum, you can touch everything, building with any blocks laying around, and play on any and everything.

It was perfect luck because this section will only be there till the end of September (I think) so I guess that they rotate different sections every few months between all the discovery centers.

My kids are suckers for badges ;) so we got these little scavenger hunt booklets to complete, once you complete it with all the stamps, and hand it back in you get a badge.

I won't lie, they were way more into playing, so Nate and I ended completing it for them - ha!

One of the things that I really enjoy is the mini lego land displays.  I love how they create the specific city they are located in.  It is so fun to see it, and I love all the fine details that they make sure to put in.  It is so distinct, and detailed.

Hayleigh loves lego friends, so it was fun that they had a section with some more girly stuff.

 Building cars for the sole purpose of racing and flying over the ramp was a huge hit.  Ian is very much into creative building, and the things that he comes up with is kind of impressive - transforming cars, house, airplanes, boats - you name it and most of them has the unique ability to transform.  I love it, and sometimes wonder how my eight year old can do that, and well I can't!

 You can literally spend all day here - there is so much to do and see.

 For a bunch of different rides (the laser one is my all time favorite) and the kids loved these little cars.  It was kind of perfect because we never had to stand in a line for anything ;)

 The little space center, this display is limited as well.  It was really neat, and Ian probably stayed in here building for a super long time.  I love just watching him in his element.

There were more creative build sections, an outdoor splash pad (it was raining so we couldn't use it,) play areas, a 4D movie theater (it was a hit,) and the little cafe and coffee shop.

 The Lego shop is always a hit, because they have so many items that isn't just hanging around at Target.  With that it also almost always turns into drama, because well we want everything....

I did really like the bin were you can create your own mini-figures.  I haven't seen that before.

 It was the best way to celebrate Ian, and to have a fun day with him, instead of all the stress and hustle from a birthday party.  I do enjoy a party every once in a while, but I do enjoy experiences with my kids more.

I am still kind of in denial that he is eight....

Happy Friday!