LEGOs and families are forever intertwined, bringing everyone hours of time together, creativity and fun! Using LEGOs enhances child development through this engagement and skill-building, helping children physically, cognitively, and socially. In July, with NACoA’s Building Hope event, using LEGOs with safe adults can also help bring recovery to children who have been affected by the disease of addiction in their families!
Use this kit to help children by spreading the word, challenging others, and sharing the excitement on social media, emails and other communication opportunities to engagement in your community!
By sharing images and messages on the social media channels you use regularly, sending emails to everyone you know, and including in your newsletters and weekly news briefs, you or your organization can help people in your community to take part in the fun while helping countless children. Together, we can remind these kids and teens that they are not alone, and that help is available so they can heal and live a healthier life!
Information regarding the LEGO Challenge Options can be found on the webpage or the event challenge flyer.
Hashtags for the event: #BrickByBrick #BuildingHope #StompOutAddiction #LEGO #LEGOChallenge #BrickNation #NACoA
Make sure to tag @NACoA!
NACoA will be posting on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, X/Twitter, and Reddit.
Before walking on Legos
“Hey friends, I’m stepping up—literally—for NACoA, the National Association for Children of Addiction. Did you know that 1 in 4 kids in the U.S. live in a home impacted by parental substance use? These kids often carry pain no one sees.
So today, for every LEGO I step on, I’m donating $XX to NACoA.org to help break the cycle of addiction and give kids a path to healing.”
While walking
“This is hard, but not nearly as what these kids endure every day.”
After walking
“Done! Now it’s your turn. I nominate Xxxxx, Xxxxx,, and Xxxxx to take the LEGO challenge and help NACoA bring hope to kids across the country. You’ve got 24 hours – I can’t wait to see your video!”
Start with the Legos visible at your shoes
“You know if I didn’t have my shoes on, this would really hurt! But not as much as growing up in the chaos of addiction. I’m walking on these Legos because I want to STOMP OUT ADDICTION and raise awareness and dollars for NACoA —because every step remembers a child who deserves safety, support, and a future full of hope.”
While walking
“For every LEGO brick I crush, I’m donating $XX to NACoA’s programs like Celebrating Families!—giving these families a chance to heal.”
Wrap-up
“I challenge Xxxxx, Xxxxx,, and Xxxxx to take the walk, make a donation, and stand with the 1 in 4 kids impacted by addiction. You’ve got 24 hours! We can do this—for them.”
Holding or pointing to LEGO path
“Hey everyone! I’m taking the NACoA.org LEGO Build-a-Thon Challenge to support the 1 in 4 kids growing up in families impacted by addiction. Every step I take on this LEGO path is a symbol of the challenging path these kids walk every day—and I’m walking in solidarity with them.”
Begin walking slowly and confidently
“For every LEGO I step on, I’m donating $XX to NACoA’s programs that bring healing, hope, and support.
Closing
“Now it’s your turn! I nominate Xxxxx, Xxxxx,, and Xxxxx to take the challenge, donate, and help us build a better future for these amazing kids. You’ve got 24 hours! I can’t wait to see your video.”
Standing next to LEGO path
“These LEGO bricks may look small, but today they represent something big—the daily challenges faced by children living with the impacts of parental addiction. I’m walking this symbolic path to raise awareness and support NACoA’s work.”
Step carefully but confidently along the path
“With each step, I’m pledging $XX to NACoA.org to help break cycles of addiction and build stronger futures for families across the country.”
At the end
“I’m proud to take this challenge—and I challenge Xxxxx, Xxxxx,, and Xxxxx to join me. Come on, you’ve got 24 hours to do your LEGO walk! Let’s keep building hope—one brick at a time.”
Camera zoom on LEGO path, then up to speaker
“This colorful path might look like playtime—but today, it’s a powerful symbol. I’m walking this LEGO path for NACoA.org, and for the 1 in 4 kids whose lives are shaped by addiction at home.”
Begin walking, speak confidently
“Each brick I stomp on is a step toward healing, connection, and change. I’m donating $XX to support NACoA’s trauma-informed programs for kids and families.”
End strong
“Let’s build something better. I nominate Xxxxx, Xxxxx,, and Xxxxx to take the challenge and help bring hope to kids everywhere. You’ve got 24 hours! Together, we can help these kids for a lifetime!”
Before the recording
Write out the word Addiction/Substance Use Disorder/ SUDS, or whatever you wish to represent, in the sand or ground or in some creative way using other materials.
Start with this word visible saying “The disease of addiction affects 1 in 4 children in this country. BUT IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE THAT WAY! Caring adults can help stomp out the impact of addiction.”
While walking, stomping, or breaking up the word
Video the stomping then say: “We can break the cycle of addiction/substance use disorder/ SUDS! Each one of us. I want to help these kids and teens so today I’m doing my part to stomp out addiction!”
After walking
“Done! Now it’s your turn. I nominate Xxxxx, Xxxxx,, and Xxxxx to take the challenge – whether you use LEGOs or do something else – and help NACoA bring hope to kids across the country. You’ve got 24 hours – I can’t wait to see your video!”
Before the recording
Write words related to the disease of golf balls: Addiction/Substance Use Disorder/ SUDS, or whatever you wish to represent.
Start with one of these words visible on the pile of golf balls saying “Kids and teens feel so alone, ashamed, and frightened because of the disease of addiction in the home. They need help to break the cycle of addiction! And each of us can – in our own way. Me? I’m going to hit addiction as far away from these kids as possible. I plan to hit addiction so far away, that it can’t hurt children any longer.
Video hitting balls while talking
“Hitting these balls is like breaking the cycle of addiction/substance use disorder/ SUDS! With treatment and support, we can send away old behaviors and replace new healthy ones. One day – or one ball – at a time. Help us help these kids by reminding them they are not alone. Others care and are ready to help!
After walking
“That felt great! I challenge Xxxxx, Xxxxx,, and Xxxxx to the same, make a donation, and stand with the 1 in 4 kids impacted by addiction. You’ve got 24 hours! We can do this—for them.”
Family standing together, LEGO path in view
Adult or older child: “Hi everyone! Today our family is taking the NACoA.org LEGO Build-a-Thon Challenge!”
Child: “We’re walking across these LEGO bricks to show support for kids who have hard things happening at home—like when a parent struggles with addiction.”
Adult: “NACoA helps those kids feel seen, safe, supported, and strong.”
Family walks together down the LEGO path
Adult: “We’re donating $XX to help more kids get the support they need.”
Child: “Now it’s your turn to join us!”
Everyone: “We nominate Xxxxx, Xxxxx,, and Xxxxx to build hope, one brick at a time! You’ve got 24 hours! We can’t wait to see your video.”
Child standing by LEGO path, holding a sign that says ‘1 in 4 kids need help’
“Hi! I’m doing the LEGO Build-a-Thon Challenge for NACoA. Did you know that 1 in 4 kids live in a home where a parent struggles with addiction? That’s a lot of kids—and they need our help.”
Begins walking on LEGO path—playfully
“I’m doing this to show I care, and I’m donating $XX to help NACoA support kids like me who want to help others.” “And I’m sending my lego photo into the marathon this weekend!”
At the end
“Do you think you can step on more bricks than me? I challenge Xxxxx, Xxxxx,, and Xxxxx to do the LEGO challenge next. Get busy, you’ve got 24 hours! Let’s build hope together!”
Two or more siblings standing beside LEGO path
Sibling 1: “We’re doing the NACoA LEGO Challenge to help other kids.”
Sibling 2: “Some kids have parents who are sick with something called addiction—and that can be really hard.”
Sibling 1: “NACoA helps those kids feel safe and supported.”
Start stepping carefully on the LEGO path together, smiling
Sibling 2: “We’re walking to show we care—and we’re donating $XX!”
Both: “We nominate Xxxxx, Xxxxx,, and Xxxxx to do the LEGO challenge next. Get busy, you’ve got 24 hours!”
Here’s a great opportunity to play with LEGOS and have a lot of fun while inspiring hope, spreading awareness, and bringing meaningful change to families affected by the disease of addiction. Brick by brick, you can help Stomp Out Addiction and Build Hope though these weeklong opportunities that will be featured during a live 48-Hour Build-A-Thon from July 25, 7 PM ET, – July 27, 7 PM ET. Walk on LEGO bricks and challenge others to do the same or bring a group together to build a LEGO creation! Make sure to record and share to inspire others to do the same! Join others around the country and step up—literally and figuratively—to inspire change, raise funds, and shine a light on an often-invisible population of children. Together, we can make a difference to last a lifetime! Learn More: https://nacoa.org/brick-by-brick-building-hope
If you care about children and love LEGOs, this is your chance to be a part of something meaningful. Whether you’re stomping, building, or both—this is a great chance to reach out and help children affected by the disease of addiction in their families! We all know someone – 1 in 4 children are affected by addiction in the family – but we don’t always know what to do. This is a great opportunity to let kids and teens know we are here to help, and that we care!
Three Great Options:
Stomp Out Addiction Walk on LEGO bricks, demonstrate the pain that these children endure daily—but also their incredible resilience! Record it, share it on social media, and challenge 3 others to do the same within 24 hours! Make a donation per brick, or a flat contribution.
Build for Hope Create a project during NACoA’s live streaming 48-Hour Build-A-Thon from July 25, 7 PM ET, – July 27, 7 PM ET. Be part of the Build-A-Thon, make cool creations with your friends and family, and share it with the event host who will feature LEGO creations over the 48-hour period. We want to see your designs!
Don’t Have LEGOs? Spell out the word Addiction in a creative way – draw it in the sand, build or sculpt it using whatever you like – and literally STOMP IT OUT! The louder, the messier, the funnier, the better!
To learn more about this event or make a donation, visit the event webpage: https://nacoa.org/brick-by-brick-building-hope
So either by yourself, or as a group project, you can join others around the country and step up—literally and figuratively—to inspire change, raise funds, and shine a light on an often-invisible population of children. Together, we can make a difference to last a lifetime!
Contact NACoA with any questions: nacoa@nacoa.org or 301.468.0985
