DIY Lego Figurine

Dawn Abron By Dawn Abron, Teen Services Supervisor/Creative Space Supervisor, Zion-Benton Public Library December 3, 2018

Have you ever gone to the store to purchase some Lego figures only to be shocked by how much they cost? Do you have to make your teens/youths sign over their soul just to be sure they return your Lego figures after your program?  This means that Lego figures are popular so we decided to let teens turn themselves into Lego figures.

Note: These figures are made of resin and do not have the signature indentations that allow the them to stand on the bricks.

Type: Self-directed
Age: Middle school
Optimal size: 11-20
Estimated cost: $51 - $100
Planning time: <1 hour
Frequency: One-time

Learning outcomes

● Create original work or responsibly remix existing content to make something new

● Engage in personal expression

Instructions

Supplies Needed:

  • Silicone Molds
  • IMG_3514
  • Acrylic Paint – We used these because they cover well but it is $$$. You can use other acrylic paint but it may be streaky and need several coats. It’s up to your budget.
  • White Casting Resin-
  • Apoxy Scult Clay
  • Paint brushes of varied sizes
  • Plastic knives or tooth picks to create texture for the hair (apoxy sculpt clay).

Instructions

  1. Follow the instructions on the resin box-it’s very simple and does not have fumes.
  2. IMG_3516
    1. It only takes about five minutes to cure (harden).
    2. My figure in the picture is the large 3.5 inch mold and there is only one. If you do this, you’ll have to pre-make the molds or purchase more. I looked and I couldn’t find the 3.5 molds in bulk.
      1. That’s unfortunate because if you are doing a STEM program, it’s cool to let the teens mix the product and watch it go from liquid to solid instantly.
      2. You can pre make the molds then do a demonstration for the entire group so that they can experience the process and feel the heat it generates.
    3. If you do the 1.5 inch figure, you can have the teens work in groups and have the group mix one batch of resin and fill the molds.
  3. After it hardens, about five minutes, remove the figure from the mold.
  4. Make The Hair-follow the instructions on the apoxy box.
  5. IMG_3518
    1. Allow teens to make their hair on their figure.
    2. The apoxy can also be used to make helmets or weapons for the figures.
  6. Paint-teens can begin painting their figure including the hair.
    1. The paint I listed above does not have brown. They sell a burnt umber but it’s dark and when I mixed it with white, it turned gray.
      1. I used a different acrylic paint for my figure and it was streaky and needed three coats.  You can allow the teens to do this if they want a brown figure or let them mix their own brown paint but might waste a lot of that $$$ paint in the process.
      2. Otherwise, they can have yellow figures like the real thing.

Evaluation

Tips:

  • If they mix the resin, allow them to wash their hands before they get started.
  • Have hand sanitizer and napkins available so that they can cleanse their hands if they get paint on them.

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