Learning through playing at Mentor Library

Kevin builds with Duplo blocks during a Kids @ Work session at Mentor Library.

Once a month, we break out the Lego blocks and invite everyone to play. We call it Kids @ Work.

The theme for this month's Kids @ Work session was Dinosaurs. Kids could use Mentor Library's Lego and Duplo blocks to build their own terrible lizards. Of course, children's imaginations are not beholden to any theme.

So Lynn and Landon used Lego blocks to make hybrid plane-cars, Brooke and Addy built dream homes, and Tyler seemed interested in collecting all the green blocks.

Admittedly, it was a bit of a free-for-all, but there's nothing wrong with that.

Lynn and Landon pick their Lego blocks from the pile.

There are plenty of studies that talk about the benefits of playing with Lego blocks. It's supposed to improve everything from your mathematical reasoning to problem solving to social development.

It also happens to be a lot of fun.

Our next Kids @ Work session is from 2 to 3:15 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, at our Main Branch. (We schedule it for the first Saturday of the month.) And you're welcome to join us!

There aren’t a lot of rules for Kids @ Work.

Parents can help build with their kids, if they'd like.

There’s no need to register beforehand and children can build whatever they want with our Lego and Duplo blocks. (However, we do ask that kids younger than 8 have an adult with them; and, as with any library program, we ask that you be kind to the other patrons.)

But, in general, it’s just kids playing with Lego. So if your kid likes building, feel free to bring him or her to Kids @ Work. They will fit right in.

Tyler picks the blocks he needs from the pile. (And, yes, he's wearing a Superman shirt and cape. No, that's not pertinent, but it IS awesome.)