We love anything to do with robots, so I thought it would be fun and a great fine motor STEAM activity to build mini LEGO robots. Plus, there are some pretty neat pieces that really can add detail to a creation if you know how to use them. My son calls them unique pieces. Our mini LEGO robots building activity is perfect for robot loving kiddos!

Building mini LEGO robots for a fine motor STEAM activityPin

Building With Unique LEGO Pieces

We have separated these fun pieces into a smaller container so they don’t get lost among the larger bricks and pieces. That way, we can work with them more often and learn how to dress up a creation with them.

For this activity, I further separated them into a giant egg carton crate so we could really take a look at all of our tiny pieces for building mini LEGO robots. The challenge was to test out as many of these pieces as possible, design a robot, and work on fine motor skills all at the same time. LEGO is excellent for that!

Fine motor skills is built right into all LEGO building activities but especially so in these mini robots. A ton of finger strength and dexterity is needed to work with such small pieces and good hand-eye coordination.

Free Printable Robot Coloring Pages

How To Build Mini LEGO Robots

Supplies:

  • All the tiny LEGO pieces you have!
  • Plus, different types of connectors and specialty pieces
  • Accessories like antennas, magnifying glasses, binoculars, car parts
  • Classic LEGO bricks for building bases
  • Egg carton or other type of divided tray for sorting small pieces
Mini LEGO robots building bricks and pieces in egg carton cratePin

Instructions:

STEP 1. Discuss with the kids what kind of robot they want to build. Encourage creativity and imaginative thinking.

A fun suggestion would be to sketch your ideas for mini LEGO robots first! We read about LEGO designers in one of our LEGO visual dictionary books how some designers like to draw their ideas first and some designers like to jump right into building their ideas.

STEP 2. Start with a base on the LEGO baseplate. This can be a flat surface or a structure made with bricks.

STEP 3. Attach arms and legs using bricks and plates. Experiment with different lengths and joints for movement.

STEP 4. Integrate Technic parts for more advanced movement. For example, use axles and gears to create rotating parts.

STEP 5. (Optional) If your robot is meant to move, attach wheels to the base. Experiment with different wheel sizes for various speeds.

STEP 6. Use LEGO studs for eyes, and add other accessories for decoration. Encourage the kids to make their robots unique.

STEP 7. Test the robot’s functionality. Does it move? Can it stand on its own? Encourage the kids to play and make adjustments.

SUGGESTION: Consider organizing group activities where kids can combine their robots to create a larger, collaborative project.

Mini LEGO robots creations from loose LEGO bricks and piecesPin

You can build gadgets, gizmos, and accessories of all kinds for your mini LEGO robots. We built a charging station for our whole family of robots. Free play building with LEGO is one of our very favorite activities.

Mini LEGO robots for fine motor skillsPin

Grab a container of loose bricks and pieces and see what you can invent today.

Mini LEGO robot family STEAm activity for kidsPin

More Fun LEGO Builds

Printable LEGO Brick Building Project Pack

Grab the whole Brick Building Fun Pack in our SHOP

All of our printable LEGO challenges as well as exclusive activities. Plus, you will be sent a new link anytime this bundle is updated.

  • 10O+ Brick theme learning activities in an e-book guide using the bricks you have on hand! Activities include literacy, math, science, art, STEM, and more!
  • Brick STEM activity challenges complete with instructions and examples such as a marble run, catapult, balloon car, and more.
  • Brick Building STEM Challenges and Task Cards keep kids busy! Includes animals, pirates, space, and monsters!
  • Landmark Challenge Cards: Virtual tours and facts to get kids building and exploring the world.
  • Habitat Challenge Cards: Take the challenge and build your own creative animals in their habitats
  • Brick theme I-Spy and Bingo games are perfect for game day!
  • Screen-free coding activities with a brick theme. Learn about algorithms and binary code!
  • Explore mini-fig emotions and much more.
  • A complete year of Brick themed seasonal and holiday challenges and task cards
  • Brick Building Early learning pack filled with letters, numbers, and shapes!

2 Comments

  1. I really like this, I hope we can get these for the kids at work because I’m part of an orginization called LA’s Best after school program at Strathern Elem. I would really like for you to email me about getting these as a donation for our after school program. I am a Program Supervisor. Please if you or anyone would like to donate these to our school we would really appreciate it. You can look us up at LA’s Best .org or Just email me.

  2. Pingback: Printable LEGO Challenges for Kids | Little Bins for Little Hands

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