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Kids, parents explore Canada's first Lego attraction in Vaughan, Ont.

By: Hailey Chan, The Canadian Press

Posted: 03/1/2013 9:58 AM | Comments: 0 | Last Modified: 03/1/2013 4:25 PM

Christian Banos, 5 and his sister, Michelle Banos, 3 build a castle at Legoland Discovery Centre at the Vaughan Mills mall, north of Toronto on Friday, March 1, 2013. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Hailey Chan

VAUGHAN, Ont. - Canada's first Lego attraction is officially open.

Parents and kids explored the Legoland Discovery Centre at the Vaughan Mills mall north of Toronto on Friday, roaming through the sprawling playground-like space.

The 3,160-square-metre indoor facility is devoted to the toy building blocks — and is geared towards children ages 3-10 and their families.

Graeme Dymond, the centre's master model maker, said playing with the colourful plastic bricks could inspire budding engineers.

"They can learn about gears and axles, velocity and acceleration...There's an earthquake model over there that will teach kids how to build sturdy bases for buildings," Dymond said as he watched over the crowd.

Friday's young visitors flocked to a racetrack where they built Lego cars and slid them down a ramp.

"The lighter it is, the faster it goes," said eight-year-old Miles Forint, a Lego enthusiast who shares his collection with classmates at a weekly lunchtime play date.

His older brother Nathan is also a fan — and a member of the centre's "junior construction club," which participates in monthly special projects.

"We're a Lego family," their mother, Karen Forint, said Friday.

The boys and their father previously entered and won a Lego contest at the local library, she said.

The facility includes hands-on play areas, a 4D cinema, master classes led by master model builders, two LEGO rides and special party rooms.

Parents touring the centre seemed to favour Miniland, an interactive replica of the Greater Toronto Area.

The display includes model versions of several major landmarks, including the CN Tower and Toronto City Hall — made entirely out of LEGO bricks.

Admission is free for children under the age of 2 and costs $18 for those up to age 13. Adults pay $22 and must be accompanied by kids. Annual passes are also available for $60 per person or $230 for a family of four.

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