We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.
Nikie Forster

If you’re a Trainer, Facilitator or Coach, you may well have heard others talking about using LEGO® in their sessions. It sounds interesting, but how do you know it’s right for you and your learners / clients? Which type of Lego® activity should you use? And will you be taken seriously if you suggest such a thing?

The ‘Introduction to LEGO® Serious Play® is for you if…

Read more

If you’re a Trainer, Facilitator or Coach, you may well have heard others talking about using LEGO® in their sessions. It sounds interesting, but how do you know it’s right for you and your learners / clients? Which type of Lego® activity should you use? And will you be taken seriously if you suggest such a thing?

The ‘Introduction to LEGO® Serious Play® is for you if…

  • You want to start using LEGO® Serious Play® in your training, facilitation and/or coaching

  • You like the idea of LEGO® Serious Play® and want to find out more

  • You are looking for some hands-on video demonstrations of how LEGO® Serious Play® might work with your learners.

What will you find in this course?

LEGO® Serious Play® (LSP) first started back in 1996 and grew in popularity. In 2010 Lego® released an open source document showing how anyone could host a LSP session. We'll be using this open source document to look at how LSP can be use in Training, Facilitation and Coaching.

In this introduction course we look at:

  • The Background

  • What it is and what it is not

  • The process

  • Which bricks to use

  • What we should be asking of our participants

  • What we should be asking of ourselves as facilitators

  • Busting 4 myth about Lego Serious Play i.e. "Do I need to be certified to host a Lego® Serious Play® event?"

  • Plan a session using the template and video guide

  • Exploring 4 different Skills Building activities (Hands-on video demonstrations video and PDF worksheets)

  • An example of how an LSP session might play out (Hands-one demonstration video)

  • Assignment related to LSP with personal feedback from the tutor

  •   I hope this introductory course will help shine a light not only on the methods used within Lego® Serious Play®  but also the benefits it brings learning.

    If you already have experience of training, facilitating or coaching, this course should give you a solid foundation for you to start using Lego® Serious Play® with your own learners too.

    ©2024 The LEGO Group – LEGO®

    Any activity using the LEGO®

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • In this course we will cover the foundational knowledge required to start using lego® serious play® (lsp) with your learners
  • State how lego® serious play® came into being
  • Identify the lego® serious play® methodologies and how to access more information
  • Explore the roles of facilitator and participants in a lsp session
  • Bust 4 myths about lego serious play
  • Plan an event using the template and video guide
  • Explain how skills builds enhance the participants interaction in a session
  • Follow an example of how lsp may flow in a session
  • Complete an assignment to demonstrate understanding of lsp

Syllabus

Lego® Serious Play® - Process
Welcome to an Introduction to Lego® Serious Play®
Welcome
What to expect as you go through the course:
Read more
Hone your knowledge
How did Lego® Serious Play® start and what are the fundamental principles in using it with learners?

Attached is the LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® Open Source document which has been made available by the LEGO Group under a Creative Commons licence ‘Attribution Share Alike’: see https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

What Lego® Serious Play® is and is not
Which bricks to use
Participants Etiquette
Facilitators Etiquette
Summing up the Basics

Lego® Serious Play® Basics

Busting 4 Myth about Lego Serious Play
Busting 4 Myths about Lego Serious Play
Planning
Planning your Session - Video Explanation
Planning your session PDF PLANNER
Timings
Questions to ask during your Lego Serious Play session
Considerations for Neurodiverse learners
Considerations for different abilities

Test you Knowledge on PLANNING before you continue

PRACTICE ACTIVITY - Planning
Gain insight into different Skills Build activities to assist your learner build confidence in their participation

A 'Skills Build' is a short activity used to help learners get use to handling Lego, creating stories and metaphors.  you should aim to use one or two of these Skills build activities before you start the main part of your session

5 PIECES - Skills Build
BUILD A CREATURE - Skills build
MONDAY MORNING - Skills build
PRACTICE ACTIVITY - Skills Build TEST RUN

Test your knowledge about Skills build activities before you continue

See first hand how a Lego® Serious Play® event might play out
Example Part 1 - Individual Build
Example Part 2 - Group build and placement
Example Part 3 - Connections and aspirations
Example - In Summary
Consider your own learners / environment and plan for a Lego® Serious Play® event
Helpful practice activities
PRACTICE ACTIVITY - Introduction to the Assignment
Testing out Lego Serious Play
Congratulation!
Continue your own learning with Lego®
Digital Downloads
Ideas for discussion starters and introductions using short LEGO activities
Welcome - Lego activities for training
About these activities ...
Magnificent Figures - Deconstructed Minifigures - YOU
Step Away from The Duck - Build a Duck
Lego Dot Activity

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Provides hands-on video demonstrations and PDF worksheets, which are useful for trainers looking to incorporate interactive elements into their sessions
Explores the roles of facilitator and participants, which helps trainers and coaches understand how to guide and support learners effectively during LSP sessions
Includes an assignment with personal feedback from the tutor, which allows learners to receive personalized guidance on their understanding and application of LSP principles
Uses an open-source document from Lego, which allows learners to understand the foundations of LSP and how it can be applied in various training and coaching contexts
Requires learners to have LEGO bricks, which may be an additional cost or barrier to entry for some learners who do not already have access to these materials
Focuses on the open-source version of Lego Serious Play, which may not cover the full range of advanced techniques and applications found in certified LSP training programs

Save this course

Save Introduction to Lego® Serious Play® to your list so you can find it easily later:
Save

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Introduction to Lego® Serious Play® with these activities:
Review Facilitation Techniques
Reviewing facilitation techniques will help you better understand your role as a facilitator in Lego® Serious Play® sessions.
Show steps
  • Read articles or watch videos on effective facilitation.
  • Reflect on your own facilitation style and areas for improvement.
Practice Asking Open-Ended Questions
Practicing open-ended questions will improve your facilitation skills and encourage deeper engagement from participants.
Show steps
  • Create a list of open-ended questions related to common workshop topics.
  • Practice asking these questions with friends or colleagues.
  • Reflect on how participants respond to your questions.
Review 'Building a Better Business Using the Lego Serious Play Method'
Reading this book will provide a deeper understanding of the method and its potential benefits.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of the book.
  • Read the book, taking notes on key concepts and techniques.
  • Reflect on how you can apply the concepts in your own practice.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Develop a Lego® Serious Play® Session Plan Template
Creating a template will help you organize your thoughts and plan effective Lego® Serious Play® sessions.
Show steps
  • Review existing session plan templates and identify key elements.
  • Design your own template, including sections for objectives, activities, and materials.
  • Test your template by using it to plan a sample session.
Create a Video Demonstration of a Skills Build
Creating a video will help you solidify your understanding of skills builds and how to facilitate them.
Show steps
  • Choose a skills build activity from the course materials.
  • Record a video demonstrating how to facilitate the activity.
  • Edit the video and add narration or captions.
  • Share the video with other learners for feedback.
Design a Lego® Serious Play® Workshop
Designing a workshop will allow you to apply the concepts learned in the course and develop your own facilitation skills.
Show steps
  • Identify a specific problem or challenge that can be addressed using Lego® Serious Play®.
  • Develop a workshop agenda, including specific activities and exercises.
  • Gather the necessary Lego® bricks and materials.
  • Pilot test the workshop with a small group of participants.
Explore 'Serious Work: How to Create a Culture of Innovation with LEGO SERIOUS PLAY'
This book will help you understand how to apply Lego® Serious Play® in a business setting.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of the book.
  • Read the book, focusing on the case studies and practical examples.
  • Consider how you can apply the concepts in your own work or organization.

Career center

Learners who complete Introduction to Lego® Serious Play® will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Workshop Facilitator
A Workshop Facilitator leads group sessions to achieve specific outcomes and this course helps them to incorporate Lego Serious Play into their practice. This course introduces the Lego Serious Play methodology, including the process, participant and facilitator roles, and skills building activities. A workshop facilitator often aims to foster collaboration and creativity, and this course provides a helpful framework to achieve that. By understanding the different uses of Lego bricks, the facilitator can guide participants to build meaning and gain new perspectives. If a facilitator wishes to expand the type of learning they offer to their audience, this course provides a strong foundation.
Team Building Facilitator
Team Building Facilitators improve team dynamics and collaboration, and this course may be helpful for adding a unique method to their practice. The course introduces the Lego Serious Play methodology, which can improve team building by creating a playful and collaborative environment. A Team Building Facilitator designs activities that build trust and communication, and this course highlights some skills building activities, timing, and questions that can be incorporated into these sessions. A team building facilitator is often tasked to improve team dynamics and this course offers new ways to do so.
Corporate Trainer
A Corporate Trainer designs and delivers training programs to employees, and this course may be useful for adding a creative, hands-on element to their workshops. This course teaches the foundational knowledge required to start using Lego Serious Play, and how to incorporate it into training sessions to enhance the learning experience. A trainer needs to understand how to ask participants appropriate questions and how to guide them, and this course covers those topics. By understanding the Lego Serious Play method, a corporate trainer can offer engaging, memorable training.
Instructional Designer
Instructional Designers create learning experiences, and this course may be helpful for expanding their toolkit with new methods. An instructional designer could use the Lego Serious Play approach to develop unique, engaging activities. This course covers the fundamentals of Lego Serious Play, the process, and various skills building activities. A successful instructional designer must be able to analyze learning needs, develop appropriate strategies, and assess learning effectiveness, all of which can be informed by the methods presented in this course. Because this course shows how to facilitate interactive learning using Lego, an instructional designer can broaden their abilities as an educator.
Team Leader
A Team Leader guides and motivates their team, and this course may be useful for improving team communication and collaboration. This course introduces the Lego Serious Play methodology, which can be used to facilitate team problem solving and strategic planning. A team leader is often interested in ways to enhance team performance and this course provides a hands-on approach to do so. By understanding how Lego bricks can be used to collaboratively build ideas, a team leader can unlock the creativity of their team members.
Innovation Consultant
An Innovation Consultant helps organizations develop new ideas and solutions, and this course may be useful for providing creative problem-solving techniques. This course introduces the Lego Serious Play methodology, which can be used to facilitate brainstorming and ideation. An Innovation Consultant needs tools to promote out-of-the box thinking, and this course offers an approach to do so. By understanding how Lego bricks can be used to build metaphors and explore new ideas, an innovation consultant may find this course valuable for developing innovative strategies with their clients.
Human Resources Specialist
A Human Resources Specialist works with employee relations and this course may be useful for team building and development initiatives. This course introduces the Lego Serious Play methodology, which can be used in team trainings and employee engagement activities. A Human Resources Specialist often focuses on employee development, and this course provides an engaging, hands-on approach to training and team collaboration. By learning how to use Lego blocks to facilitate group communication and problem solving, this course helps a Human Resources Specialist implement innovative development programs.
Curriculum Developer
A Curriculum Developer designs educational materials, and this course may be useful for adding hands-on learning techniques to their curriculum. This course introduces the Lego Serious Play methodology, which can be used to create engaging and interactive learning activities. A Curriculum Developer aims to design effective courses and this course provides an activity-based approach. By learning how to use Lego blocks to facilitate learning, a curriculum developer can create more active and memorable lessons. The course highlights several skills building exercises as well as considerations for different learners.
Agile Coach
An Agile Coach helps teams adopt agile methodologies and this course may be useful for adding a visual and collaborative element to their toolkit. This course introduces Lego Serious Play, which can be used to facilitate team problem solving and strategic planning within an agile environment. An agile coach often needs to develop customized techniques to address team specific challenges and this course demonstrates several skills building activities. By understanding how Lego bricks can be used to build ideas, the agile coach may find this course useful for unlocking team potential.
Change Management Consultant
A Change Management Consultant guides organizations through change, and this course may be useful for introducing interactive workshops to facilitate buy-in. This course introduces the Lego Serious Play methodology, which can be used to help teams adapt to new situations. A Change Management Consultant needs to find ways to engage employees in the change process, and this course provides a hands-on method to do so. By understanding how Lego bricks can be used to build shared understanding and commitment, a change management consultant may find this course helpful to their work.
Management Consultant
A Management Consultant provides expert advice to organizations, and this course helps them incorporate innovative problem solving methods. This course introduces the Lego Serious Play methodology, which can be used to facilitate team collaboration and strategic planning within client organizations. A Management Consultant often delivers interactive sessions and this course highlights a hands-on technique to engage clients effectively. This course may help a management consultant stand out from their peers by offering a unique approach to problem solving and strategy.
Project Manager
A Project Manager oversees projects from initiation to completion, and this course may be useful for developing team communication and problem-solving. This course introduces the Lego Serious Play methodology, which can be used to facilitate team collaboration and strategic planning. A project manager is always looking for ways to ensure team members are on the same page and this course offers an approach. By understanding how Lego bricks can be used to engage team members in the work process, a project manager may find this course beneficial to project outcomes.
Career Coach
A Career Coach guides individuals in their career development, and this course may be helpful for offering creative problem-solving techniques. This course introduces the Lego Serious Play methodology, which can be used to help clients develop new perspectives and strategies. A Career Coach helps clients explore their potential and this course provides a practical way to unlock hidden insights. By understanding how Lego bricks can be used to build metaphors and stories, a career coach may find this course helpful for clients who need to reframe their career path.
Life Coach
A Life Coach helps individuals achieve their personal goals, and this course may be helpful for using creative and engaging methods. This course introduces the Lego Serious Play methodology, which can be used to help clients gain new perspectives and develop solutions. A Life Coach often looks for ways to foster self reflection and this course provides a medium to do so. By understanding how Lego bricks can be used to visualize and build personal stories, a life coach may find this course helpful in guiding their clients towards their objectives.
Educational Consultant
An Educational Consultant advises education institutions, and this course is helpful for introducing creative, hands-on learning techniques. This course introduces the Lego Serious Play methodology, which can be used to enhance the teaching and learning experience. An Educational Consultant helps organizations develop effective teaching strategies and this course provides an approach that can increase student engagement. By understanding the use of Lego blocks in learning, an educational consultant can offer new, innovative solutions to their clients.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Introduction to Lego® Serious Play®.
Is considered the definitive guide to Lego® Serious Play®. It provides a comprehensive overview of the methodology, its theoretical underpinnings, and practical applications. It is commonly used as a textbook in academic institutions and by industry professionals. Reading this book will provide a deeper understanding of the method and its potential benefits.
Provides practical guidance on using Lego® Serious Play® to foster innovation and creativity within organizations. It offers real-world examples and case studies to illustrate the method's effectiveness. This book is more valuable as additional reading to expand on the course's foundational knowledge. It useful reference for those looking to implement Lego® Serious Play® in a business setting.

Share

Help others find this course page by sharing it with your friends and followers:

Similar courses

Similar courses are unavailable at this time. Please try again later.
Our mission

OpenCourser helps millions of learners each year. People visit us to learn workspace skills, ace their exams, and nurture their curiosity.

Our extensive catalog contains over 50,000 courses and twice as many books. Browse by search, by topic, or even by career interests. We'll match you to the right resources quickly.

Find this site helpful? Tell a friend about us.

Affiliate disclosure

We're supported by our community of learners. When you purchase or subscribe to courses and programs or purchase books, we may earn a commission from our partners.

Your purchases help us maintain our catalog and keep our servers humming without ads.

Thank you for supporting OpenCourser.

© 2016 - 2025 OpenCourser