This sounds interesting... But I know about those wacky kid-built things! The postage alone would turn me off of it. It would have to be a box big enough for the creation itself, plus lots of good packaging around it to keep it from being crushed and broken.

I actually think a swap for small Lego kits would be fun. I know my daughter would have a blast picking out something for another child (and so would my husband, LOL!).

That's true. It would need to be small enough to ship reasonably. Like a 3 by 5" ship. Wrapped in bubble wrap and placed in a small box would ship for about $3.

I was hoping to celebrate the creativity of the young master builders and keep from buying something new. But if it comes to it - new kits are always a hit!

sounds fun, I love lego almost as much as my son & husband but like @telizas said, to pack it well enough for it not to get broken could be too costly ( I am in the UK) unless it was really small. my son recently made some tiny turtles from lego that are really cute!

Perhaps we could take photos of a creation in progress and send instructions with the bricks in case it collapsed en route?

I love this idea! Both my son & I have a huge city of legos built and we're always making our own "projects". The cost of shipping would deter me as well, but keeping the project small would help (that and legos themselves aren't cheap). Please let me know if you do host it!! Oh, and I would probably not sign up if someone were allowed to send a new kit in place of a handmade creation. I'd want to receive what I sent (but that's just my opinion!).

One way to avoid the packaging hassles and shipping expense would be to create instructions for models and send that along with photos. One of my sons uses software - although I'm not sure if it's online or on our computer! - that allows you to create the instructions for a model. It also prints out an inventory of the bricks you need. That kind of swap would be much more manageable. I'd not be interested in a kit swap - my boys have way too many legos already. They just need more ideas for the legos they have (although to be honest, they already build very creatively, but it's fun to see other kids' ideas!).

The software that @camelsamba mentioned above that lets you do instructions and prints out inventory of bricks sounds great! if anyone knows where to get it I would be interested.

This is great feedback! We have something called lego designer downloaded to our computer. This enables them to build their custom creations online and order parts for it. I will look into whether you can print instructions from it also. We found this on www.lego.com.

But I wanted to give new life to old legos and connect our kids with something creative.

Yes, I was thinking small, approx. 3 by 5". Zip locked, wrapped in bubble wrap, boxed and tissue added around it to prevent it from moving around in transit.

Before I start the swap I will make up a sample package and have the post office weigh and price it. This would be included in the swap info, so anyone not willing to spend the amount in postage need not get involved.

cool... I searched Lego designer & found this Lego tool it works for Mac & PC & is free as far as I can tell.

I suppose Lego is quite light really, I would be interested in a swap.

I mentioned this possible swap to my son and he said he'd be interested EXCEPT that he'd probably be the oldest "kid" at the age of 16 1/2. Does anyone have any teens that Lego?

You might try a swap for loose legos, but have participants take pics of their lego creations to include as well. That way you'd get new-to-you pieces and inspiration.

cobaltgypsy, I have a husband that builds with Legoes :^) but my oldest child is 11.

cobaltgypsy - I think legos are ageless, but as long as he understands he might be getting something back built by a 5 year old he is welcome!

I've gotten swamped with work, but I hope to have this going by Nov.

this sounds like I great idea..either way, what ever the age I would join...And to answer your question cobaltgypsy...I also have a 16 year old who loves lego's...so your son would not be the only teen!! And my son also said he wouldn't mind receiving lego work from a younger child, it's the thought that counts!!