Surfers’ Cove at Legoland California

I am a Legoland California ambassador. I receive a 4 pack of tickets yearly as an ambassador however all opinions are my own.


LEGOLAND Water Park is bigger, wetter and better this summer with the addition of the newest California beach-themed area, Surfers’ Cove, opening June 30, 2017.

In celebration of 4th of July, LEGOLAND® California Resort salutes Carlsbad Fire Department, Carlsbad Police Department and Carlsbad Lifeguards for protecting our city and beaches this fourth of July weekend by inviting them and their families to spend the day at the official opening of Surfers’ Cove at LEGOLAND® Water Park!

Surfers’ Cove is the latest California beach-themed expansion of LEGOLAND® Water Park and features Riptide Racers, six water slides extending 100-feet where guests can jump on mats and race against each other for the fastest time. After competing, racers can pose with a LEGO® winner’s trophy for a photo opportunity to capture their big win! Kids can enjoy Wipeout Lagoon — an epic “spray ground” where multiple water jets splash on and off creating a wave effect.

Plus, LEGOLAND Water Park’s culinary team has created Beach Street Tacos to enlighten taste buds of water racers of all ages. And, of course, cool LEGO models add to the beach theme including LEGO surfers, LEGO seagulls, LEGO crabs and a LEGO lifeguard. A surfing dog model sits on top of a wave at the peak of Riptide Racers perhaps as a “judge” to see which racer reaches the bottom quickest!

The opening day of Surfers’ Cove kicks off with a little friendly water slide racing competition of the “red, white and blue”…meaning the firefighters, lifeguards and police officers. Two people from each team will race against the other teams and the lowest time after three races determines the winner. The prize? A LEGO surfer trophy, of course!

The LEGOLAND Water Park is open seven days a week now through August 2017. For ticket prices, operating schedule and additional information, visit www.LEGOLAND.com or call 760-918-LEGO (5346).

Want to see what’s coming up at LEGOLAND California? Read on!

 

Brick-Or-Treat Party Nights Halloween Celebration at LEGOLAND® California Resort – Last Saturday in September and Saturdays in October

LEGOLAND® California Resort is getting ready for Halloween with San Diego’s biggest kids’ Halloween party, Brick-or-Treat Party Nights! Every Saturday night (Sept. 30, Oct. 7, 14, 21 & 28) starting at 5 p.m., guests can enjoy a Ghost Cruise adventure, a new pop-badge challenge, a new theater show in Castle Hill, costume contests, dance parties, LEGO® pumpkin patch building, live music, costume entertainers, and safe trick-or-treating at treat stations with specialty items, candy carts throughout the Park and two bonus treat stations inside SEA LIFE® Aquarium. LEGOLAND® Hotel joins in the fun with its own Halloween party on Oct. 31. For information and event pricing: (760) 918-LEGO or www.LEGOLAND.com.

 

LEGOLAND® California’s Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony! – November 27, 2017

LEGOLAND® California’s Nightly Tree Lighting Ceremonies kick off Nov. 27 when a celebrity guest lights the world’s tallest LEGO® Christmas tree in the annual tree lighting ceremony. The LEGO tree stands more than 30-feet-tall and is made of more than 245,000 forest green DUPLO® bricks. The festive event features entertainment, fireworks and a visit from Santa! Activities are included with regular Park admission. Kids 3–12 $89; Adults $95. Parking $15. 

 

Holidays at LEGOLAND® California Resort– November 18, 2017 – January 1, 2018

Live entertainment, twinkling lights and festive cheer await guests during the Holidays at LEGOLAND® California Resort! Beginning Nov. 18, kids and families can enjoy nightly tree lighting of the Park’s LEGO® Christmas tree decked with spectacular lights and LEGO ornaments. The fun continues in Heartlake City with festive holiday songs and dancing with LEGO Friends Live and a touch of a snow flurry. The holiday fun concludes with the annual Kids’ New Year’s Eve Party on December 31. All activities located inside the Park are included with regular Park admission. Kids 3–12 $89; Adults $95. Parking $15. Celebrate the New Year with LEGOLAND® California Resort’s Kids’ New Year’s Eve Celebration – Dec. 31, 2017

 

LEGOLAND® California’s New year’s Eve Festivities – December 31, 2017

Don’t let bedtime spoil your fun! New Year’s Eve festivities kick-off early at LEGOLAND® California Resort with a party that lets kids ring in 2018 without missing their bedtime! Like the famous ball dropping in Times Square, Kids’ New Year’s Eve features live music, entertainers and a countdown of its own with a huge LEGO® brick that drops 22-feet into 2018 followed by a spectacular fireworks display at 6 p.m. The party includes performances by some of the top children’s entertainment groups in the nation. All activities are included with regular Park admission. Kids 3–12 $89; Adults $95. Parking $15. 

Why Legoland Heartlake City Isn’t Just For Girls

Why Legoland Heartlake City Isn't Just For Girls

When we told the kids that we were planning a trip to Legoland, after being invited to check out the grand opening of Heartlake City, my son proclaimed, “I don’t want to go! Heartlake City is for girls!”

Now we have always been one for gender equality and not pushing gender roles on our kids. My daughter plays with trucks, my son plays with our kitchen set, both enjoy imaginative play where they dress up and play pretend. They both also equally help my husband when he’s working on the cars, help me with dinner before my husband comes home from school, etc. But that’s another post.

We’ve never pushed one toy or another onto them however they’ve both naturally gravitated to gender stereotype toys when they play on their own. And that’s ok. Both love LEGOs. Blue, green, pink, purple, or yellow.

Legoland Heartlake City - heartlake stables

Legoland Heartlake City - Heartlake Stables LEGOs

The morning of the event I asked him again if he wanted to check out Heartlake City. Because a trip to go visit Heartlake City meant a trip to Legoland. He thought about it for all of a second and then exclaimed, “I want to go to Heartlake City! It’s not for girls!”

While he was at school, my daughters and I enjoyed Heartlake City on our own. We built horses and other LEGO creations in the Heartlake Stables, rode the carousel at Mia’s Riding Camp, and enjoyed a crepe at the City Park Creperie (side note: I highly suggest the nutella crepe!).

Legoland Heartlake City - mia's riding camp

Legoland Heartlake City - City Park Creperie

Once he got out of school, my husband picked him up and drove up to meet us at the park. My daughter was stoked to bring them both to Heartlake City to show them around and share what she had gotten to do all morning.

From watching my daughter’s favorite LEGO Friends of Heartlake City dance and sing on stage to splashing around at the splash pad, both my son and my daughter had a blast exploring LEGOLAND Heartlake City.

I’m fairly certain my son won’t complain about Heartlake City at Legoland California being “just for girls” again.

Legoland Heartlake City with siblings

Legoland Heartlake City splash pad

Legoland Heartlake City - friends forever stage

Why Legoland Heartlake City Isn’t Just For Girls

  1. LEGOs – Just like everywhere else in the park, the kids can get hands on and build in the Heartlake Stables. Sure, there are pink and purple LEGOs. But they’re amongst a sea of blues, greens, reds, and yellows.
  2. Rides – The kids both loved riding the carousel at Mia’s Riding Camp. Horses are for boys and girls last I checked.
  3. Splash Pad – Running through the splash pad is awesome. And it cools the kids down on a hot summers day.
  4. Crepes – Amongst other treats found in Heartlake City (you can also try Wok n’ Bowl for some delicious ramen), the nutelle crepe can speak for itself. Enough said.
  5. Family Friendly Fun – Just like everywhere else in the park, Heartlake City is filled with family friendly fun that everyone can enjoy. Sure there’s lots of pink and purple. I don’t see why pink and purple can’t be in other areas of the park too.

My daughter can’t stop talking about the fun she had with me on our adventure together. And my son wants to go back again and is already planning a return trip when he gets out of school. Because they’re kids. And LEGOLAND is fun for kids. Ok, it’s fun for adults too…

And next time? We’re tackling the LEGO CHIMA Water Park.

Legoland California San Diego

What are you looking forward to checking out at LEGOLAND California this summer?

Planning a trip to Legoland CA soon? Check out our highlights:

For more Legoland CA fun, check out these great posts:
The LEGO Movie 4D at Legoland CA
LEGOLAND California Holiday Snow Days
5 Reasons Why Star Wars Lovers Should Visit Legoland California
Top 5 Things to Do at Legoland California When You’re 5

Top 5 Things to Do at Legoland California When You’re 5

I received 2 tickets to Legoland Resort. All opinions are 100% my own.

Top 5 Things to Do at Legoland California When You're 5

A few weeks ago a very special boy celebrated a very big birthday. My son turned 5. And in celebration of this huge milestone birthday we headed to Legoland for the weekend. And he gave me the scoop on the top 5 things to do at Legoland California when you’re 5.

Because it’s a totally different experience from when you were 4. Or 3. No, seriously. It is. And it’s so much cooler!

Since it was his birthday we let him call the shots. He chose what to do, where to go, and where we ate. And we had so much fun! [Read more…]

Lego Duplo Party Playdate with HouseParty #LegoDuploParty

Our HouseParty Lego Duplo Playdate was an absolute blast!

I had so much fun figuring out what foods to serve, how to decorate, and how to keep the little ones entertained. Now normally when we have a playdate I grab whatever’s in the fridge and whip it up into something appealing for both the mamas and little ones.

HouseParty was kind enough to send along 4 of Lego Duplo’s new Read & Build Kits for us to play with!

2 of the 4 Read & Build kits were raffled off to my guests to take home with them so they could continue the fun. The other guests assured me they’d be picking up a few kids of their own because the kids had so much fun!

For this party I wanted to get a bit creative and really play on the Lego theme.

Lego Duplo Read & Build HouseParty

The Lego Party Food

I started by creating a Lego Duplo Pinterest Board. I was able to find amazing ideas and creations from other pinners, bloggers, online articles, and sites.  I had grand plans of cookies, skewers, and more detailed goodies but when it came down to it, I stuck with the basics. Foods my 1-4 year olds would love AND eat.

You can read all about the food I served here.

The Lego Party Decor 

Then I started thinking about the decorations I wanted to use. There were plenty of ideas for using the legos in the design of the party so I started with the basics, a simple lego brick, and built on that. I absolutely LOVED the fun use of lego-themed garland most of the sites posted but a majority of them were birthday themed.

Lego Duplo Read & Build HouseParty

So instead of going the wording route, I simply stuck to construction paper, scissors, and tape.

From there I decided to add a few more touches to the food decorations by turning the cups into lego heads, adding a lego head in between my two platters to serve the lego brick foods, and made a few empty boxes into legos to go with the theme.

You can read all about the decorations I made here.

Lego Duplo Read & Build 

I wanted to make sure that the Lego Duplo Read & Build kits were front and center throughout the party so I included them on the bar area of my kitchen right at eye level so that as people served themselves they’d see the boxes.

Alongside the Read & Build storybook kits were the Lego red plates and Duplo napkins that came in my HouseParty kit. I also was excited to pass out Lego Duplo play guides, magnets, and stickers to each of my guests.

Lego Duplo Read & Build HouseParty

Two of the sets were opened for the kids to play with on the table. I filled up a vase with some extra bricks we had lying around (shhh… don’t tell, these aren’t LEGO brand). The rest of our collection of Lego Duplo blocks were kept in the playroom on our train table so the kids could build and create as they pleased.

Lego Duplo Read & Build HouseParty

Play Time

Because I had two areas set up for the kids, the adults were able to converse and chit chat as the kids played around us. I loved having the playroom set up for the majority of the Lego fun. It made clean up a breeze and allowed a great space to build and create.

Lego Duplo Read & Build HouseParty

Although a few of my other toys were quite appealing and the kids quickly spread throughout the house with more than just Legos in hand.

I’m sure if I had a bit more time, help, and money I could have done more but the simplicity of this party was perfect. The kids had an absolute blast playing, building, and reading. 

Disclaimer: I received a HouseParty Lego Duplo Party Kit in exchange for hosting a Lego Duplo Party. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Lego Duplo Party {The Decorations}

I have been looking for a chance to throw a Lego themed party for quite a while. Pinterest has added to this obsession (along with a lot of other party themes I want to attempt).

HouseParty sent out an awesome hostess kit that included 4 Read & Build kits, a Lego Duplo poster (pictured below), Lego red plates, Lego Duplo napkins, and some awesome Lego goodies for my guests to take home including magnet frames, stickers, and a Lego Duplo fun guide.

I was excited to use my new large chalkboard and incorporated it into the party by copying the Lego logo on it with chalk. The logo was very simple and straight forward and I was pretty happy with how it turned out. I added duplo to the bottom and *almost* attempted to draw the Duplo bunny but didn’t want to mess anything up.

The decorations started with a garland of Lego bricks. I grabbed a stack of red, green, and blue 8×11 construction paper and cut 8×5 bricks out. I used the scraps to make circles (and used an HonestTea bottle cap as my template).

I adhered the circles onto the bricks with tape. Once I had enough of each color I used a hole punch to punch out the circles in the corners and strung the bricks up together with red yarn. I then hung the garland up in the kitchen where I was serving the food.

I added a little fun to the drink cups by turning each cup into a Lego head. Each cup matched the Lego guy I put on top of the cups .

In order to make a tiered serving tower I covered up a soup can with some construction paper and drew a Lego face on it as well to tie in with the theme.

To show off the Lego Duplo Read & Build kits I opened two up and put them on my dining room table. I grabbed one of my vases and added some blocks to make a colorful display. The kids were able to play with the new Read & Build storybook sets at the table and create fun animals as we read the Busy Farm story.

Lego Duplo Party {The Food}

As I mentioned in my party post, I wanted to keep this party focused on the basics. With a few simple decorations and some doctored up fun foods our party was the perfect Lego Duplo

To show off the drink cups a bit more I covered them in yellow paper and drew little faces on each of the cups to represent a different Lego guy. If you look closely you can see that each face actually matches the Lego on top of (and hanging from) the cups.

Munchies were also Lego themed. We went with peanut butter and honey sandwiches and cheese and crackers.

The peanut butter and honey sandwiches were super simple and fun! I made the sandwiches, cut off the crust (and ate them!), and cut the sandwiches in half.

Then I used my smallest round biscuit cutter to cut out small holes out of another slice of bread. I used some more peanut butter to adhere the bread to the top of the sandwiches. Two for each rectangle.

If you have a peanut allergy you can easily use sunflower butter instead. Or make the sandwiches with meat and use cream cheese to adhere the bread dots to the top. I was also considering making cucumber and cream cheese sandwiches as well. There are endless possibilities!

The cheese and crackers used the same techniques. I slathered two crackers with cream cheese and sandwiched in a piece of cheese in the middle. Then I used the cream cheese to adhere some cheese circles to the tops of the cracker sandwiches.

I had all intentions to coat these rectangle sandwich cookies with red, green, and blue chocolate and cover them with little m&m dots but time got away from me so I simply served them as is. Not as exciting but still fit the theme! And the kids couldn’t get enough of them.

As a play on the Lego guy’s head shape I made some watermelon & feta skewers for the mamas. This is my latest favorite combo and adding a bit of basil makes this a super tasty bite on a stick. You can also cube up the watermelon, toss with feta and basil, and serve as you would a salad!

In order to satisfy the mamas at the party I decided to throw together a simple quiche. Honestly, there’s nothing special about it. And really… it’s more of an egg bake in a pre-made frozen pie crust. I simply combined cooked sausage, spinach, 6 eggs, a cup of cheese, a cup of cottage cheese, some salt and pepper and poured it into the crust. I then baked until it smelled done (maybe 35 minutes?) and pulled it out.

And the color is yellow like a Lego head, right? Haha… might be too much of a stretch.

Yum!

If you were planning a Lego Duplo party what would you serve?



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