Questions on running Lego stall for School fair.

mindfieldsuk

Hi,

Probably something that I should ask Lego directly but thought I'd ask here in case anyone has had this experience.

So my kids primary school run a Christmas fair with funds raised going to the school. Parents all donating time, effort and materials to raise money. Have thought about doing a Lego stall, sourcing the components from bricklink/Lego.

My Question is would there be any issues in using existing Lego designs like the 30286 christmas tree polybag?

If I have to go custom build I'd probably try & get the blessing of the original designer but is there some good software for generating instructions?

I'd probably look at running a little workshop where the kids buy a small ziplock bag with the components, sit there & build it then take it home. Obviously it would be good to have a few choices of items to build but I think it best to start small before being ambitious.

I'm looking at maybe trying to source items for £1-2 and selling for £2-3. My list of potential builds so far:

30286 xmas tree - Seems the best bet. Can source within budget.

850850 santa bauble - Good alternaltive.

30186 xmas tree - Harder to source with decent margin.

30182 Santa - Harder to source with decent margin

40010 Santa with Sledge Building Set - expensive to source parts, would have to raise prices which is going to be less popular,.

30474 Reindeer - great build but v. expensive to source parts
 
40093 snowman - Way to expensive.

Any suggestions on small build sets that primary school kids would like?

SirKevbags

Are you doing this prior to Christmas? Time is getting tight if you don't have the parts already.

Yes you could ask LEGO for an answer to this but in reality by the time it reached someones desk who would actually say no because its simply far easier than saying yes, the event will likely have been and gone. This is a one off event, it isn't for commercial gain, you're not asking LEGO for free parts so I would say just crack on and do it.

Having been involved with various make and take type builds one of the huge differences is in the quality of instructions that LEGO produces. If you're able to use something they have produced it will make life way easier.

CCC

I'd also go for it. The only thing they can get you on is photocopying / reproducing their instructions. 

TheCableGuy

Another alternative is to source polybag sets from the newspaper offers during the year - these can be sourced for a £1 or less. Then either sell them directly or offer as some sort of lucky dip at £3 a pop with a guaranteed win or £1 a go with a 1 in 3 chance of winning the polybag, making sure to give the "losers" a free pack of haribo.

We have done this for the last few years at our school and have raised hundreds each year for the school. The kids and the school love it!

Sorry it doesn't really help your specific Christmas themed planned but may be worth a thought for other school fun/fundraising days.

SirKevbags

I like the make and take idea but it will slow you down in terms of sales because people take time to build it and you can't churn new people through until the they have finished. If maximising revenue is the goal just sell them or have them as a prize as @TheCableGuy suggests.

We do this at events with great success. £2/go with a prize each time of either a minifig, a polybag or a boxed set. We have way more minifigs than polys and boxes of course but it becomes instant win and everyone gets something. 

bookmum

Minifig trading would be popular. You could have some minifigs for sale too (to actually make money). 

caterham7

PAB wall in Lego stores might have the bricks you want to buy in bulk?

theLEGOman

You could get pab cups full of mini build parts. Sort the bits into bags and just get one of each of the instructions and a couple of cheap colour copies of the instructions.

Then people can choose a snow plough or penguins. They should cost you under £1.50 each, you could maybe sell at £2.50-£3.