Bricks 4 Kidz opening in south Charlotte

Bricks 4 Kidz, which offers programs to help introduce kids to engineering and science through LEGO blocks, is opening a Creativity Center in south Charlotte soon.

The owners say they can't disclose the exact location until the lease is signed early next week, but it will be in the Blakeney/Stonecrest area. The new center will offer classes such as engineering, pre-school, kids' birthday parties, stop-motion animation, and summer camps. It will open in mid- to late March.

Bricks 4 Kidz in Charlotte is owned by Tricia Rana and her husband Michael Finkelstein. They've been running the business since last year, and have after school programs at a dozen area schools.

"We teach kids basic math, engineering and architecture using LEGOs," Rana said. "It kind of takes LEGOs to a whole new level."

The center will use different blueprints for the kids' models every week. Many of the LEGO models are motorized. Recent sessions have focused on sports, famous buildings, laws of motion, and transportation.

They're building LEGO models in the "Sports Spectacular" series now. "The models are really awesome," said Rana. "The miniature golf model is really cool."

A class typically costs $15, Rana said, and summer camp sessions and birthday parties usually run around $200.

Here's a link to their Facebook page, where you can follow the latest information about the opening. And for adults who love the idea of playing with LEGOs, have hope: Rana said they're going to try to have grown-up nights at the Creativity Center so we can build some cool models too.