Top things every Lego Builder in Cape Town needs to know

If you think everything Lego is awesome and you’re looking to make the most of your hobby without flying to Legoland, here is how you can best engage with the local Lego community, get your hands on the latest sets, and even see yourself in Lego.

CapeLUG: The official Cape Town Lego User Group — Street scene by CapeLUG – the official Cape Town Lego User Group.

Join a Lego Community

Everything is cool when you’re part of a team, and Lego is no different. CapeLUG is a Cape Town-based official Lego User Group of fans who enjoy sharing their creations. The group gets together every second month for members to participate in building competitions, to trade and sell sets, and to socialise over their love of Lego. They also host exhibitions where members display their creations at public spaces and often have a presence at big events such as Comic Con Cape Town.

Those excited to join this awesome community can learn more about CapeLUG on their website.

Where to Buy the Latest Sets

The first thing you need to do is get your hands on some Lego, and there is no shortage of places to buy it. It’s in every toy store, but where are the best places?

Canal Walk’s Lego Store is an easy first choice. As an official Lego store, they offer the latest sets as they come out and even sets exclusive to the store. The whole store is an experience for visitors of all ages, featuring a Pick A Brick wall and a Build A Minifigure station.

Local Lego fans will also be familiar with Kiddiwinks, the oldest exclusive Lego shop in South Africa. It’s a go-to for Lego collectors. Kiddiwinks is run by a family of passionate Lego fans whose mission started as a way to bring affordable and accessible Lego to South Africa. They offer a rewards programme allowing frequent buyers to earn points as they shop. Something I always look forward to as a collector is the Minifigure mystery bags, and Kiddiwinks is the only place I know that helps you avoid disappointment by telling you which one you’re going to get.

The Classic Lego Pirates set started in 1989.

Pre-loved Lego

If you’re looking to hunt down some classic sets or get your hands on some pre-loved Lego, there are great options too. BLOCK Shop is an online store that sells quality second-hand Lego sets and Minifigures. The store aims to make Lego affordable as well as offer quality service by making sure that all the Lego they receive is sterilised, stored and delivered with the utmost care.

The newly opened Brick Haven is a collector’s paradise, not only selling classic and discontinued sets but also buying complete sets from collectors. Fans of Lego are encouraged to visit the space and see their collection of Star Wars sets on display for themselves. As a way of giving back the store also accepts Lego donations of pre-loved pieces, which are then donated to kids in need.

Lego mini figures hands — Mini-Me lets you build a personalised Lego you.

The Perfect Lego Gift

If you’re looking for a unique gift for any Lego fan, why not get them a customized minifigure look-alike? Mini-Me offers a service that allows you to build your own Minifigure with various pieces available. You can choose the hair, face, body, as well as accessories and pets to go with them. These Mini-Mes make thoughtful and unique gifts for birthdays, weddings, and all kinds of occasions or get one for yourself and just enjoy the novelty of seeing yourself in Lego.

Lego robotics technic Mindstorm — Lego Robotics allows young builders to compete worldwide.

Educating Through Lego

Lego is also a great educational tool with sets like Technic and Mindstorms showcasing just what you can do with bricks. Finding a Lego League is a great way for children to take their love of building to the next level while learning useful skills. Programmes are open to ages 4-16 and teach kids problem-solving and STEM through hands-on learning.

You can learn more about how to get involved on the FIRST SA website

Lego can be used to create your own stop-motion animation.

Get building

Whether you’re a seasoned builder or just starting out, Cape Town offers a vibrant community and plenty of opportunities to fuel your passion. From discovering the best places to buy new and pre-loved sets to finding unique gifts and educational programs, there’s something for every Lego enthusiast.

For more Geek culture activities and events in Cape Town, be sure to check out our previous articles. Keep building and stay connected with the local Lego community!