Using LEGO Duplo blocks is a fun way to teach varying skills! In this list, there are 23 different activities to do just that. It covers a range of topics such as math activities, literacy, and creative activities. While the majority of them are activities for preschoolers, there are some that older children will enjoy, or that can be adapted.
1. Patterns
This is a simple pattern activity. Using a Duplo mat, you can verbally or visually ask students to complete a pattern.
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2. Story Building
This activity uses constructed Duplo objects to have students tell a story. You can allow them to create their own objects or give them completed ones and ask them to play and tell a story.
Learn More: Learning 4 Kids
3. Playdoh Duplo
Using the blocks students will make shapes or imprints in the dough. You can also have them make patterns or match colors of blocks and dough.
Learn More: Pinterest
4. Build Feelings
Great for starting to learn about SEL or for those who struggle to express their feelings. Build emotions Duplo blocks have expressive faces and hand gestures that will better help young ones understand feelings.
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5. Animal Alphabet
This involves building different animals that each relates to a specific letter of the alphabet. You will have the children build the letter. Fun way to teach letter recognition.
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6. Pet Homes
Using some Duplo or toy animals, you will show a child the image of the animal's home. The child will then use the blocks to try and build the home, mimicking the image.
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7. Symmetry
An easy but fun way to teach symmetry. Dividing the board with a string or rubber band, create an "image" with the blocks on one half. Students will need to replicate the pattern/symmetry on the other side using the correct size and color of blocks.
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8. Number Mats
Not only does this activity teach math skills of number recognition and counting, but it also teaches copying. Students will build the written number as well as represent it while using the same blocks as used on the mat.
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9. Color Sorting
This activity uses a real-world example of recycling to teach color sorting. They will be given a bunch of mixed blocks and expected to sort them by hue into different recycling centers.
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10. Building Animals
This youtube channel teaches children how to use different blocks to make all different kinds of animals. Great for teaching listening comprehension and following directions.
Learn More: LEGO Family
11. Patterns Mats
Students will be given different types of patterns to make. You can also make this more rigorous by only giving students a "starter pattern" (like a-b-b-a or a-b-c-c) and asking them. to complete it with so many blocks.
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12. Alphabet Scavenger Hunt
Write the alphabet on blocks and hide them around the class or at home. As children find them, they will need to put them in the correct order. You can also do this with matching upper and lower case letters.
Learn More: No Time For Flashcards
13. Word Builder
Give students CVC words, or whatever kind of words they are working on, and have them build the words. You can color code things like vowels, digraphs, etc. What's great about this activity is you can easily modify based on student needs.
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14. Measurement
Bring some math measurements into the class using Duplo! Teach an introduction to measuring using Duplo blocks as the unit of measure. Give students random objects to measure, making sure they understand the end-to-end concept.
Learn More: No Time For Flashcards
15. Shapes and Colors
For this activity, students will use a mat to match the shapes and colors of Duplo blocks. Perfect for also working on motor skills.
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16. Fine Motor Skills
Using an eye dropper and some water, children will place a drop of water in each hole on top of the blocks. This works on their pincher grip and fine motor skills.
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17. Counting and Measuring
In this task, students will have numbered Duplo. They will put them in the correct order to measure specific objects.
Learn More: Pinterest
18. Blow Soccer
Have children help you build a soccer field with goals. Then, using some straws and a ping pong ball, they will try to score a goal by blowing the ball through the goal.
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19. Duplo Tic Tac Toe
You can easily have kids build a tic tac toe board from Duplo blocks. Using some favorite items or Duplo characters, play some games of tic tac toe!
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20. Duplo Art
You can use Duplo blocks to teach block printing. Using some washable paints, children will dip different sides of the block and push them on paper - making different imprints.
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21. Duplo Maze
Have students create their own one-of-a-kind maze using the blocks. Placing a ball at one end, have them tip and tilt the platform to see if they can make their way through the maze.
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22. Duplo Rainbow
Teach about the colors of the rainbow by building one! Great for building on a rainy day or if teaching about weather or rainbows!
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