The invitation: Dive into a pile of museum-supplied bricks and build a boat using only your imagination!
In an explosion of color, creativity and enthusiasm, participants set out on Saturday, April 11, to design and build ocean-going vessels — made out of Legos
The annual event with prizes was hosted by the Los Angeles Maritime Museum in San Pedro and was open to all ages. Participants had to put their creations together in real time in the museum’s exhibit hall at Berth 84 — Harbor Boulevard at the foot of Sixth Street — on the Port of Los Angeles waterfront.
The museum, located in what was San Pedro’s historic 1941 ferry building, hosts the popular contest every year.
Dozens of children gather to take part in a Lego Shipbuilding Contest at the Los Angeles Maritime Museum on April 11th, 2026. (Photo by Gil Castro-Petres, Contributing Photographer)
Dozens of children gather to take part in a Lego Shipbuilding Contest at the Los Angeles Maritime Museum on April 11th, 2026. (Photo by Gil Castro-Petres, Contributing Photographer)
Dozens of children gather to take part in a Lego Shipbuilding Contest at the Los Angeles Maritime Museum on April 11th, 2026. (Photo by Gil Castro-Petres, Contributing Photographer)
Dozens of children gather to take part in a Lego Shipbuilding Contest at the Los Angeles Maritime Museum on April 11th, 2026. (Photo by Gil Castro-Petres, Contributing Photographer)
Dozens of children gather to take part in a Lego Shipbuilding Contest at the Los Angeles Maritime Museum on April 11th, 2026. (Photo by Gil Castro-Petres, Contributing Photographer)
Dozens of children gather to take part in a Lego Shipbuilding Contest at the Los Angeles Maritime Museum on April 11th, 2026. (Photo by Gil Castro-Petres, Contributing Photographer)
Dozens of children gather to take part in a Lego Shipbuilding Contest at the Los Angeles Maritime Museum on April 11th, 2026. (Photo by Gil Castro-Petres, Contributing Photographer)
Dozens of children gather to take part in a Lego Shipbuilding Contest at the Los Angeles Maritime Museum on April 11th, 2026. (Photo by Gil Castro-Petres, Contributing Photographer)
Dozens of children gather to take part in a Lego Shipbuilding Contest at the Los Angeles Maritime Museum on April 11th, 2026. (Photo by Gil Castro-Petres, Contributing Photographer)
Dozens of children gather to take part in a Lego Shipbuilding Contest at the Los Angeles Maritime Museum on April 11th, 2026. (Photo by Gil Castro-Petres, Contributing Photographer)
Dozens of children gather to take part in a Lego Shipbuilding Contest at the Los Angeles Maritime Museum on April 11th, 2026. (Photo by Gil Castro-Petres, Contributing Photographer)
Dozens of children gather to take part in a Lego Shipbuilding Contest at the Los Angeles Maritime Museum on April 11th, 2026. (Photo by Gil Castro-Petres, Contributing Photographer)
Dozens of children gather to take part in a Lego Shipbuilding Contest at the Los Angeles Maritime Museum on April 11th, 2026. (Photo by Gil Castro-Petres, Contributing Photographer)
Dozens of children gather to take part in a Lego Shipbuilding Contest at the Los Angeles Maritime Museum on April 11th, 2026. (Photo by Gil Castro-Petres, Contributing Photographer)
Dozens of children gather to take part in a Lego Shipbuilding Contest at the Los Angeles Maritime Museum on April 11th, 2026. (Photo by Gil Castro-Petres, Contributing Photographer)
Dozens of children gather to take part in a Lego Shipbuilding Contest at the Los Angeles Maritime Museum on April 11th, 2026. (Photo by Gil Castro-Petres, Contributing Photographer)
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Dozens of children gather to take part in a Lego Shipbuilding Contest at the Los Angeles Maritime Museum on April 11th, 2026. (Photo by Gil Castro-Petres, Contributing Photographer)
The city of Los Angeles facility also offers an array of exhibits year-round that can change and rotate.
Currently, a “Waves of Change” exhibit — “The Story of L.A.’s Port” — provides an interactive timeline tracing the history of the port, from indigenous societies to current events. Included are rare artifacts, photos and interactive touchscreens bringing the story to the present day.
Other exhibits include those on the historic Japanese fishing village, the Angels Gate Lighthouse, the area’s storied fishing industry, commercial diving and a children’s exhibit.
A current offering — “Life at Sea” — features photos from a recent contest displaying images “taken of seafarers by seafarers from on board their ships providing an insider’s view of what life at sea is really like.”
There also is a museum store for gifts and mementos.
Regular hours are noon to 5 p.m. Wednesdays to Sundays (last entry is 4:30 p.m.). The museum is closed Monday and Tuesday. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for seniors, and free for children 12 and under.
For information, go online to the museum’s website at lamartimemuseum.org.