Sorry readers! I failed you! I mentioned a few posts back I was going to write to LEGO regarding the issues with mini build registration. I also encouraged you to write if you were not happy with the way things have rolled out.

I’m sad to say, I never wrote that letter.

I initially thought I was just going to call and voice my complaint, but then as usual, life got in the way. My passion waned.

However, as I tried to register my child again for the October mini build, I was hit with the same message. All the conversations I had with our local store manager came rushing back. My resolve was renewed.

I just sent LEGO a letter regarding the mini build registrations and current program today. I thought I’d share my letter with you. It was short, as they only give you 2000 characters to get your message across:

First, I want to say thank you for creating monthly events like the mini build and making them available to fans. I think it’s a great way to reward your fan base and allow kids to grow their LEGO collections with interesting pieces.

We are a LEGO family (2 AFOLs and our aspiring master builder of 4 years old). We started taking our child to builds last year after store employees invited us. When we finally felt her building skills could handle the plate and tile heavy mini builds, we started going. We understood the age limit and were reminded of it for the first few builds. We had no problem standing by our daughter to supervise and help her.

That’s why I was so disappointed in LEGO when I saw the hard limit on the lower age group enforced for the September build. LEGO cites “due to poor building experience” as the reason kids 3 – 5 are no longer allowed to attend. I completely understand, because when we first introduced our daughter to LEGO, she was frustrated with follow directions. But, the thing is, isn’t that up to the parent to decide if the child is or isn’t having a poor building experience? Kids develop at different rates, so it seems unfair to blanket cover a group just to exclude those that *might* have some trouble.

If the issue is simply one of not having enough employees to handle each child, wouldn’t it be better to make a requirement of one chaperone per child for those 3 – 5? That way, your employees aren’t left to deal with an unfamiliar child and their building frustrations.

Also, I’ve noticed many wasted build slots where parents fail to show. Frustrating when I have a child who wants to build, but can’t, because of an age technicality.

What annoys me most about all of this…while I cannot register my child for the FREE build event, stores will let me pay the $10 LEGO Club meeting fee so she can build the model. While I know the kids get extra parts, it feels greedy.

I hope LEGO can come up with some sort of compromise.

So that’s my letter. Too much to say, not enough space.

If I hear back from LEGO, I will let you know.

In the meantime, has anyone else emailed or called LEGO corporate? Curious to hear what you have heard in return.