The Power of Lego - Full Size F1 Car Built Out of Lego

People use Lego to create all sorts of amazing things. From giant replicas to functional machines, the possibilities with Lego are endless. In our Power of Lego series, we hope to inspire you by sharing some truly extraordinary Lego builds and projects with you.

The first build we want to share is a full size replica of a McLaren P1. This impressive build is made up of about 340,000 pieces and weighs over 2600 lbs. It came out of an association between Lego and McLaren. Together, they formed a team of 23 members and worked over 8,300 hours to create this vehicle. Using an array of Lego Technic pieces, they were able to replicate the curves and suspension of the actual vehicle. You can see the pieces they used for the exterior below

They replicated the V8 engine of the original McLaren P1 by using a system of 8 motor packs each containing 96 Lego Technic Motors. It also uses an electric motor made from Lego Technic batteries and an electric car battery.

Once they had finished building the model, they had Lando Norris actually complete a lap around the racetrack! Check out the video below to see it!

We hope you enjoyed this story. Check back soon for another Power of Lego story.

If you have a child that is interested in Lego, TechKnowHow offers a variety of Lego camps for children in the summer and winter. Our camps offer an excellent introduction to Lego and will inspire your children to continue building at home. Registration for winter camps begins in October!

Sources:

Peck, B. (n.d.). Lando Norris drove a full-sized McLaren P1 replica made from 342,817 Lego pieces. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5763327/2024/09/12/lando-norris-lego-mclaren-p1/

Enter our Halloween LEGO Sweepstakes Giveaway

Halloween is just around the corner! This holiday lets us decorate our home with our favorite creatures and characters from around the world. Whether spooky or just plain fun, these decorations can bring plenty of enjoyment to your child.

We are offering a sweepstakes where one lucky winner will receive 2 LEGO BrickHeadz kits, perfect for Halloween!

As part of the LEGO BrickHeadz collection, these kits are made with the idea of starting a collection of figurines. As such, each comes with a sturdy baseplate for display. Use it to start your own collection or add it to your existing one!

You can enter to win the 2 kits by clicking on the link below. There is no purchase necessary to enter or win. The contest runs until October 4, 2024 at 9 am PST. There will be one randomly selected winner.

Enter the sweepstakes here:

Sweepstakes Items - Winner Gets Both Kits:​

LEGO® BrickHeadz™ Frankenstein (Retired Set)

LEGO® BrickHeadz™ Frankenstein is an official LEGO reimagining of the classic cinematic character. Your child will enjoy building this small blocky and cute version of such a famous halloween figure.

It stands over 3" tall and includes 108 pieces.

LEGO® BrickHeadz™ Scarecrow (Retired Set)

Introduce a playful touch to your Halloween decorations with the LEGO® BrickHeadz™ Scarecrow. Scarecrows are a common feature in many Halloween themed fields and parks as their very purpose is to frighten. However, this particular one is welcoming and suitable for children. Building it promises an enjoyable activity for the entire family.

It stands over 5" and includes 177 pieces. It also includes decorative fences and carrot fields to go next to the figurine.

build a game controller with lego elements

Creating a LEGO controller to interact with a computer game is a fascinating blend of creativity and technology.  Students in our summer LEGO Minions camp for ages 5-8 get to experience this powerful use of technology.  

First, the students build a controller using LEGOs, a data transmitting hub and sensors.  LEGO's modular nature allows for versatile construction, enabling the joysticks and levers to mimic traditional gaming inputs.  Then, the controller’s hub is connected to a computer.  Students open a game in Scratch which has been created by TechKnowHow and built to communicate effectively with the controller.  

The result is a unique, hands-on gaming experience that combines the timeless fun of LEGO construction with the excitement of digital gameplay.  Campers can even customize the controller's appearance to their personal taste!  It’s a fun way to learn about connecting hardware with software and LEGO pieces with computers!