The Great Big Brick clear-out

If you're having trouble making room for all your kids' new toys after Christmas, then Paignton Zoo can help.

The Devon zoo is hosting the Great Big Brick Safari from 28th March to 1st September. And before that it’s holding a great big brick amnesty, when people can donate unwanted plastic building bricks.

Zoo spokesperson Phil Knowling said: “We’ll take all those old plastic building bricks off your hands. Not to make the Great Big Brick Safari models – these are created by professional BRICKLIVE artists and contain a million bricks. We want them so that guests inspired by the safari models can make their own when they visit us.

“It’s a great chance to get rid of unwanted bricks. Search your cupboards and your lofts, have a post-Christmas clear-out! We’ll take all sorts, shapes, sizes, colours and brands. Recycle your unwanted bricks and donate them to a good cause. We will clean them, make them available to play with through the summer, then pass them on to good homes afterwards, so they won’t be wasted.”

The Great Big Brick Safari at Paignton Zoo will include 80 life-sized animals made using LEGO® bricks. In addition, there will be trails, competitions and even special safari nights for over 18s, so that grown-up fans of LEGO® bricks can enjoy the amazing models without children running about.

The charity zoo has had a good response to the amnesty so far, with thousands of bricks donated. Unwanted bricks can be dropped off at Paignton Zoo until February.

Pippa Craddock, Director of Marketing & Development at Paignton Zoo, comments: “We’re so excited to be hosting the UK’s biggest Brick Safari. Our guests will have an action-packed full day out - it’s going to be a fun summer!”