We received free tickets in exchange for my honest review of the Legoland Discovery Center, and all opinions are my own.
Legoland Discovery Center
A couple weekends ago, we decided to take the family to the Legoland Discovery Center in Shaumburg, IL. It’s not too far, and we thought we’d also hit IKEA, and make a day out of it. That way mommy gets a little fun time (shopping) and the rest of the family gets some fun time (playing with Legos.) Win. Win.
IKEA didn’t turn out exactly as planned, which you can read about HERE, but we had a lot of fun at Legoland.
The Idea
My oldest is obsessed with Legos. He is always building something. Lots of towers, big cities, bridges, and plenty of landmarks. The boys’ Aunt was babysitting, and they were going to watch the Lego Movie. There were ads for Legoland, and everyone wanted to go. Even though there is a huge theme park in California, we found the Legoland Discovery Center right in our own backyard.
The Arrival
After a little bit of crying and whining at IKEA, it was time to get to Legoland. It was easy to find, located in the Streets of Woodfield in Shaumburg, IL. There’s a huge shopping mall, Woodfield Mall, and plenty of places to eat all around the area, in addition to IKEA. We parked in the lot and headed in to get our tickets.
If possible, I suggest buying your tickets online ahead of time. You get a discount, and can choose the exact time/date of your visit to guarantee you get to go when you want. Our tickets were waiting at will call, so we were able to get right in.
As soon as you enter, you can take a family picture, with a green screen background. It was cute, but not everyone was looking (per usual) so we didn’t purchase one. At the end you have an option to get the picture put on a key chain.
First Stop – Chicago
I have to say that I was most impressed at this exhibit. It was an exact replica of Downtown Chicago all done out of Legos. It was amazing to look at. We all took turns recognizing the things we had just seen on our recent trip to the Shedd Aquarium. It also goes through an entire day, and the sun goes down, so you can see the city at night. My pictures don’t do it justice. The detail was amazing.
The Jungle
Next stop, we walked through the Legoland Jungle. There were tons of animals made out of Legos, along with palm trees, and jungle sounds. The boys all wanted to touch everything, and it was perfectly OK.
Play time and Rides
After we made it through the jungle, there was an area set up where the kids could play with Legos. They all had fun building. Even the biggest kid got into the act.
We finally got them out of the building center by showing them there were some rides. The really awesome thing about the Legoland Discovery Center is that everything inside is included in your admission. So, we could ride the rides as many times as we wanted.
The first ride was a dragon boat, and you got ray guns to shoot at the bad guys. It was called the Kingdom Quest, and the boys all had fun. Only my oldest really understood the laser gun, but the twins were having fun just riding and looking around.
The second ride was called Merlin’s Apprentice Ride. Each cart held two people, and you peddled the Lego peddles to go up and down, while it spun around in a circle. That ride was not for this mommy, so we took turns. My oldest and big guy went first, then my husband took my little guy.
My favorite part was watching my big guy watch his brother on the ride. They were both smiling and laughing as he went by.
More Play
After they’d had enough rides, there was a huge area for the kids to play. There was a giant castle to build Legos on, and there was a huge piece of climbing equipment, like at a playground. There were tunnels, slides, and, of course, tons of giant Legos everywhere.
There was also Duplo Village where there were the bigger Legos, the Duplos, to play with.
There was also a place to make Lego boats and float them in water, and a ramp where you could send the Lego cars you were able to build.
A Tour and A Movie
Once we finally rounded up everyone, we decided to go on the Lego Factory Tour. It was basically one room, and they showed the process of making a Lego. The guy who did the demonstration was pretty funny, and held 2 out of my 3 kid’s attention. The screamer had to go outside with Dad. At the end, they all got a souvenir Duplo that said Legoland Discovery Center, which was cool.
They also had a short Lego movie you could watch, but the kids were getting tired and cranky by this time. It was past lunch, and we decided to head out.
They did have a cafeteria, and lunch didn’t seem too expensive. They also had a gift shop that you walk through on the way out. And this guy…
Recommendations
Overall, I would definitely recommend the Legoland Discovery Center. All three of my boys had a lot of fun, and they are ages 3 and 6. You can easily spend a couple of hours there. They also have party rooms, so if you live in the area, it looks like a fun Birthday party spot. From their website, it looks like they change-up exhibits often, so if you live close, a yearly pass might be a great idea.
If you’d like to read more about the Legoland Discovery Center, or find out if there’s one in your area, you can find out more on their website, https://www.legolanddiscoverycenter.com. They also have a Facebook page, which you can find HERE.
Have you been to a Legoland Discovery Center? Are your kids as obsessed with Legos as mine are?
We lived near Schaumburg during our time in the States and loved going there. All the stores, the mall and Ikea! We also visited Legoland there a couple of times and Leonie always loved it! Looks like you guys had a blast! Happy Friday
How cool. It’s a good thing we don’t live a little closer or I would be shopping all the time 🙂
This looks like so much fun!!!
Yes!
Oh that looks so fun! My exhubby took our son to the one in Toronto earlier this year. Hey, I have family in that area! My aunt used to own a home in Shamburg, and I have cousins in Palatine and Itaska. 🙂
http://www.HometownQueenBee.blogspot.com
Very cool. Next time you visit, you’ll have to let me know 🙂
I can NOT wait till my baby is old enough for adventures like this! I looked at the website…looks like the closest one to us is in Chicago…about 3 hours away, but still doable!
You’re close to us…or three hours further away, maybe 🙂 We’re in WI. Where are you?
I had no idea there was more than one Legoland! Looks like you guys had a blast!
It’s not as huge as the theme park in CA, but it was a lot of fun.
Wow, your pictures are so cool! I love 15 minutes from there but have never been. I think my sister and I will take the kids over my winter break.
You should! So many fun things for the kids to do.
We love legos!!! This looks like so much fun.
This looks like so much fun. I’m jealous! It looks like your boys had a blast too. I’m definitely curious to see the Chicago city display – I love that it goes through an entire day. Fun stuff!
Yes, it was really cool 🙂
I’ve always wanted to go to Legoland! We have a small one here, but nothing too wild. I should go!
Hi Shann,
How fun! Looks like your boys had a blast at Legoland 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing!!
They did. Thanks Joan 🙂
How fun! My kids would die. They’re both 4 yrs old and are obsessed with Legos.
They would get along well with my son 🙂
Love the pictures!!! How fun. These are memories that I’m sure they will NEVER forget!!! I just love Chicago. The Shedd aquarium is awesome too.
Yes! Thank you!
So fun! I love that they have Chicago set up 🙂
It was really cool. I think that was my favorite thing to look at.
How cool! I had no idea they had this out where you are. Looks like a ton for the kids to do… And I think I would have fun too!
Yes!
Legoland is such a place for the whole family. I’ll go check the nearest one in our area.
Great!
I am taking my son to lego land for his birthday. This looks like s much fun!!!
Awesome! He will love it!
This sounds like so much fun! We used to have a mini Lego Land at the Mall of America (it might still be there, I don’t really go to MOA) but this one sounds so much cooler than the one that we had. 🙂
Thank you! It was lots of fun! 🙂
That looks like so much fun! My 3 year old is just starting to get really into Legos and I know she would have a blast. Thanks for the recommendation.
Aww, that looks like a fun day outing for the little guys! They recently built a big Legloand park in Malaysia, I’d love to go with my family someday!
So much fun rolled into one post. Feels like I was almost there 🙂 My boys would love it!
What kid wouldnt love a trip to lego land! What a fun adventure!
So fun! We have a Lego land here at the Mall of America too and I can’t wait for Kit to be old enough for us to go together!
I want to visit the one there too!
We’ve got a Legoland close by to us, but the admission tickets are a bit pricey. I would love to take my little guy there, ever since he went to a class at the Lego Store, he is obsessed with Lego’s and I know he’d have an absolute ball at Legoland!
That Lego tiger looks super cool! Your boys are super cute and they look like they really enjoyed themselves. 🙂
Yes, they loved it. My son is pretty obsessed to.
What a fun activity! We have a Lego land here in Florida, but I’ve never been. Maybe one day i’ll get to go if I have a little boy! =)
Yes! Although, I think little girls would love it too 🙂
It looks like so much fun! My kids (especially my 5 year old) would love it! we’re hoping to take them to Legoland in the next year or two, but we’ll see.
OMG, my son would go crazy if we go to any legoland! Unfortunately, we don’t have one in our country. 🙁
Sounds like an AWESOME trip. I am VERY familiar with the area, as a grew up 15 minutes from Woodfield Mall, and we are still only about 4 hours from there. Might have to take my family there in another couple years when the kiddos get old enough. Thanks for sharing.
Nice. If you ever decide to go, let me know and we can meet up 🙂
This looks like so much fun! We have Legoland here in Florida and our family really loved it. They even have a course for kids to get their Driver’s License and drive in a little Lego car.
Wow! That sounds awesome!
What a cool trip to do with your kids! I love lego, and I really think it might be one of the best toys EVER made. I must get to a legoland soon..
Agreed! 🙂
My grandson loves Legos. It would be so much fun to take him here!!
This looks like SO much fun!
This looks like so much fun! I didn’t know they had rides there! Your boys look like they had a great time.
I have been dying to take Hudson to this! Looks so fun!
I’ve always admired people that can create with Legos. My cousin built an entire lego universe in his basement- I loved going down there to explore and see what new things he’d created!
We have been talking about taking the kiddos to Chicago. . .I think this just made me decide yes we are going over the holiday break!
Woo hoo! 🙂
Hey Hi Shann, Legoland is an amazing place for kids. I have been to Orlando’s Legoland but I love Disney and Universal more. Though I was obsessed with Lego’s when I was a kid. I am glad that your boys had so much fun. Thanks for sharing this beautiful post.
Have a great week ahead!
P.S: All the pictures are so cute. 🙂
There’s also a Legoland park in Winter Haven Florida. If you wanted to make a few weeks vacation out it, it’s half way between all the parks in Orlando and the parks in Tampa.
Awesome. Thank you!