Seven-year-old Olivia presses her fingers against a LEGO brick. She feels the familiar bumps, smooth plastic edges — but this time they spell something different. Not just shapes, castles, or spaceship control panels — letters in Braille. For Olivia, who is partially sighted, this is more than play. It’s a bridge between worlds: between what she sees, what she touches, and what she yearns to read for herself.
The Background: From Classrooms To Homes
Since 2020, LEGO Braille Bricks have been quietly making an impact in specialized educational settings. Distributed free of charge to schools and other organizations serving children with vision impairments, these kits have helped young learners practise Braille through tactile play.
But there was always a missing piece: for many families, the chance to use them at home. The demand, parents and educators say, was strong. Children were discovering Braille at school, but without their own sets, opportunities to practise were limited.
The New “Play With Braille” Set: What’s In It
On September 1, 2023, LEGO made its “Play With Braille” set — LEGO® Braille Bricks — available for purchase by the general public. Preorders opened from August 24 in English and French, with Italian, German, and Spanish versions promised in early 2024.
Key features include:
- 287 bricks in total
- Five colours: white, yellow, green, red, and blue
- Two baseplates for building and arranging the bricks
- Bricks with studs corresponding to Braille letters, numbers, and symbols, plus printed versions for sighted users
- Braille embossing on the packaging
- “Play starter” activities designed to teach orientation, stacking, and letter recognition in a fun way
The set is recommended for children aged six and older, but the design intentionally bridges communities so blind, partially sighted, and sighted players can all join in.
Voices That Matter: Personal Stories & Impact
Martine Abel-Williamson, president of the World Blind Union, highlighted the significance of the set, noting that braille represents much more than literacy — it is the path to independence and inclusion for blind and partially sighted children.
Lisa Taylor, mother of Olivia (seven) and little sister Imogen (four), shared that having a set at home changed everything. It allowed the entire family to play together while Olivia introduced Braille to her younger sister. Importantly, LEGO Braille Bricks felt just like regular LEGO sets, so Olivia never felt different from other kids.
Dave Williams of RNIB (Royal National Institute of Blind People, UK) stressed how important it is for children to feel included and equal when using learning tools that are part of mainstream play culture.
The Fourth Point: Wider Implications & Inclusion
Making these sets widely available does more than introduce a fun new product — it reshapes accessibility and inclusion.
- Literacy And Independence Braille is crucial for education and future opportunities. With LEGO sets, children can practise in a playful environment, building confidence while developing literacy skills.
- Reducing Stigma And Isolation When learning tools are only available in special institutions, children can feel excluded. Having Braille Bricks at home, compatible with regular LEGO sets, normalizes the learning process.
- Encouraging Early Exposure To Reading Skills Early tactile learning helps children prepare for formal Braille education. LEGO’s “play starters” support skills like orientation, pattern recognition, and stacking.
- Pushing Industry-Wide Inclusivity Norms LEGO’s move signals a shift toward designing inclusivity into products from the start. The upcoming audio and Braille building instructions will take accessibility even further, showing that inclusion is integral, not optional.
Optimism, But Mindful Of Challenges
While this is a major step forward, there are still hurdles. Expanding into more languages is vital for global impact, and affordability remains a concern for many families worldwide. Shipping, customs, and regional availability could limit access.
Additionally, continued support for educators and parents is essential so children can benefit fully from the bricks and develop strong literacy habits.
Concluding Thoughts: More Than A Toy
Olivia builds a small tower, then spells “MOM” in Braille, using bricks she recognizes from her everyday LEGO box. Her sister copies, giggling. Their mother watches, feeling that something has shifted: from dependence to moments of confidence.
LEGO Braille Bricks are more than toys. They are a message — that every child deserves to play, learn, and belong, side by side with their peers.
