The lego mitten challenge is a fun learning activity with a serious message. This project will have kids laughing as they struggle to connect legos while wearing mittens. The point of this activity? To encourage discussion about differing abilities.
Supplies
- A bucket of Legos
- A pair of mittens per participant
- Watch or clock
Set up the Lego Mitten Challenge
To get started set out a few pairs of mittens and piles of loose legos. Ask for a few volunteers to attempt the lego mitten challenge. I found that three people at a time was the perfect number of kids. Have each participant put on a pair of mittens and stand or sit in front of a pile of legos.
How to Run the Lego Mitten Challenge
Let the kids know that the lego mitten challenge asks them to stick the most lego bricks together in one minute. The trick, they have to wear mittens while they do it.
Get out your timing device and give a quick countdown for the kids. 3…2…1. On one kids will work to connect the most legos in one minute. Some kids will get frustrated, others will laugh. Whatever their reaction, encourage them to keep focused. When the one minute is up examine how well the legos are connected. Then ask if others would like to participate.
Finally, after everyone has had a chance at the lego challenge ask for a few kids who want to try it without mittens. Run the activity the same way, give them one minute to see how many lego bricks they can stick together in one minute.
When time is up, praise them for being the best and connecting so many bricks together. Praise them loudly and be over the top. This will cause a bunch of grumbling from the kids,
- “but they didn’t have to wear mittens.”
- “that’s not fair.”
- “It was easier for them!”
Use these comments to lead into a group discussion.
Discussion
The point of this activity is to demonstrate limitations, specifically physical limitations. Explain that the mittens in this activity gave the participants a physical disadvantage. Use the following questions to get kids thinking and discussing.
- What was it like trying to connect the legos while wearing the mittens?
- Did it seem unfair that some people didn’t have to wear mittens?
- How did it feel when I praised those who didn’t wear mittens when they did so well?
Imagine if you had a permanent physical limitation and had to wear the mittens all the time.
- How would that affect your life?
- How hard would you have to work to achieve the same things as those without mittens?
- For example:
- How hard would it eat?
- Play baseball?
- Jump rope?
- Wash your face?
- What else would be difficult?
- What changes would you have to make to the way you do things?
The Takeaway From the Lego Mitten Challenge
Many people have limitations that make it difficult to do things that others find easy. Sometimes those limitations are physical, sometimes those limitations are cognitive and sometimes they are emotional. It is important to remember that we all have different abilities. We need to respect everyone for the effort they put in, not necessarily the outcome.
Want More?
If you want to add more ability awareness activities to your program check out the website, A Day in Our Shoes. This site is devoted to providing resource for advocacy for special needs child. They have an especially helpful post 25 Disability Awareness Activities for Kids of all Ages. These activities can be used to promote awareness of many disabilities in a way children can experience and understand.
