How to Organize and Build a Brick Set

A Builder Crew read-along picture book.

Episode one: How to Organize and Build a Brick Set.

It's here! The new space station set! Eight hundred pieces. I'm gonna build it in ten minutes flat.

Ten minutes? Zipley, you say that every time.

Okay, crew. Let's build it the smart way, starting right now.

Step zero: set up your space. A clear, flat table, with good light.

Skip the carpet. Tiny pieces love to hide in there.

And keep tiny pieces away from little brothers, sisters, and pets.

Big sets often come with numbered bags. Bag one, bag two, bag three.

If yours has them, open just one bag at a time.

Just one? But ripping them all open is the best part!

Now we sort. Sort it, spot it, snap it!

I sort by color first, then by size. Bowls and trays work great. So does a muffin tin.

The muffin tin is genius. Every cup is a tiny parking spot.

The tiniest pieces get their own little tray, so they can't roll away.

Next, the instructions. Every step has a little box that shows which pieces you need, and how many.

So it's like a shopping list... but for bricks.

Can't tell two pieces apart? Count the studs. Those are the little bumps on top.

This one is a two by four. Two studs across, four studs long.

Big builds are made of smaller sections. First we build this solar panel by itself.

It's like building the arms, the legs, and the head, and then putting the whole robot together.

Okay, step twelve! Thirteen! Fourteen! Look at this speed!

Wait. Why is there a hole right here? And why do I have an extra piece?

Let's check the book. Step nine... you skipped it.

Oh no. Now I have to take apart five whole steps.

No problem. Grab the brick separator. It's the little tool that pops pieces apart.

Much better than fingernails. And never, ever use your teeth.

Here's the trick. After every step, compare your build to the picture.

Huh. Going slow is actually faster, because there are no do-overs.

Quick is cool... but checking is cooler!

And if your fingers get tired, or you're feeling frustrated, take a break. The bricks will wait for you.

Put a bookmark in the book, so you know exactly where you stopped.

Last step... done! The space station is complete!

A few tiny pieces left over? That's normal. Many sets come with spares. Keep them in a small bag.

Now that it's built the right way... let's remix it!

I'm adding a rainbow antenna with some spare pieces. Use your own colors and ideas to make it yours.

Can you remember?

Your big set has numbered bags. What's the smart way to open them?

Can't tell two pieces apart? What do you count?

Zipley has a hole and an extra piece. What went wrong?

You did it!

Today's builder tips: set up your space, open one bag at a time, and sort your pieces.

Read each step, count the studs, and build in sections.

Check every step before you move on.

Then add your own spin!

Made with love by a Nana and her grandkids, with help from the bots of Botsville USA.