Apple Valley, Calif. (High Desert News Online) — Families across San Bernardino County will have the opportunity to combine creativity with a love of the outdoors this August as the San Bernardino County Library launches its “The Great Outdoors: Build Your Adventure!” LEGO® building contests. The family-friendly competitions will take place at three library branches, including the Apple Valley Newton T. Bass Branch, giving participants a chance to showcase original outdoor-themed LEGO® creations while encouraging reading, imagination and hands-on learning.
Top Areas This Article Covers:
- LEGO® building contest schedule and locations
- How to register and contest eligibility
- Outdoor-themed building categories
- Family activities and awards
- San Bernardino County Library’s educational mission
The San Bernardino County Library is encouraging builders of all ages to let their imaginations run wild during its August “The Great Outdoors: Build Your Adventure!” LEGO® building contests, a countywide event designed to inspire creativity while celebrating the natural beauty found throughout California and beyond.
The contests will be hosted at three County Library branches during August, with each location welcoming families, LEGO® enthusiasts and first-time builders to participate in a friendly community competition.
Participants are challenged to create an original LEGO® display inspired by one of four outdoor themes:
- Camping and hiking
- Mountains and national parks
- Oceans, lakes and rivers
- Wildlife and nature
Beyond the competition itself, each event will feature an interactive LEGO® play station hosted by Play-Well TEKnologies, community displays of contest entries, prize giveaways and awards recognizing outstanding creativity, originality, engineering, storytelling and overall design.
Apple Valley event scheduled for Aug. 11
High Desert residents will have their opportunity to compete during the Apple Valley contest.
Apple Valley Newton T. Bass Branch
- Date: Tuesday, Aug. 11
- Time: 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- Location: 14901 Dale Evans Parkway, Apple Valley
Additional contests will also be held at:
- James S. Thalman Branch in Chino Hills on Aug. 18 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- Lewis Library and Technology Center in Fontana on Aug. 25 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
How to participate
Families interested in competing must first register either online or at any San Bernardino County Library branch.
As part of the registration process, participants must check out 10 library items and provide proof of their checkout before submitting their LEGO® creation.
Builders then create their project at home before delivering it to the branch where they intend to compete during the designated drop-off period.
Contest entries are limited to 75 creations per branch, with one entry allowed per family. Each LEGO® display must fit within the contest size requirements of an 11-by-17-inch base and stand no taller than two feet.
Participants may enter at any of the three contest locations regardless of which San Bernardino County Library branch they normally visit. However, completed LEGO® creations must be delivered in person because they cannot be transported through the library’s internal transit system.
Drop-off dates
Completed projects must be submitted during the following windows:
- Apple Valley: Aug. 8–11
- Chino Hills: Aug. 15–18
- Fontana: Aug. 22–25
Encouraging learning through creativity
The annual contests reflect the County Library’s broader mission of promoting literacy, STEM education and lifelong learning through interactive programming.
LEGO® building activities have become increasingly popular in public libraries because they encourage problem-solving, engineering concepts, teamwork and creative thinking while providing engaging opportunities for children and families to learn together.
Programs like these also help introduce new visitors to library resources by pairing participation with book checkouts, reinforcing the library’s role as both an educational center and a gathering place for the community.
Serving communities across San Bernardino County
The San Bernardino County Library system operates 32 branch libraries serving one of the nation’s largest counties geographically. In addition to providing books and digital resources, the library regularly offers educational workshops, children’s programs, technology training, cultural events and seasonal activities designed to engage residents of all ages.
The August LEGO® contests continue that tradition by combining hands-on learning with community participation, giving families an opportunity to celebrate both creativity and the outdoors while exploring everything their local library has to offer.
For complete contest rules, registration information and additional event details, residents can visit the San Bernardino County Library website or contact their local branch library.
