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Lego has a new toy. It is called the Smart Brick. Lego showed it at the 2026 Consumer Electronics Show (CES). These bricks look like normal Legos, but they have computer chips inside. They also have lights and speakers.
The bricks can make sounds. For example, a toy plane can make a noise when it flies. If the plane crashes into the floor, the brick turns red. A toy cake can hear you blow out candles.
The first Lego set with the Smart Brick is a Star Wars set. It goes to shops in March.
Some people do not like these toys. They say kids do not need Smart Bricks to play. They think kids should use their own imaginations to make stories. They also worry about privacy. They think the old bricks are better because they are simple.
Lego says the new bricks are good. They think technology helps children play in new ways. Lego wants to mix building with computers. They hope this keeps kids happy for a long time. This is Lego’s biggest change in 50 years.
Vocabulary
- Toy – something to play with; a thing for fun; an object for children 🧸
- Called – named; has the name of; what people say to identify someone or something.
- Brick – a hard block; a small piece for building; a plastic part of a Lego set 🧱
- Show – an event; a place to look at new things; a display for people to see
- Chip – a tiny computer part; a small brain for a machine; a piece that stores information
- Speaker – a machine part that makes sound; something that plays music or voices; a thing that talks 🔊
- Blow out – to stop a fire with air; to use your mouth to put out a light; to send air from your lungs 🌬️
- Candle – a stick that makes light; a wax object that burns; something on a birthday cake 🕯️
- Set – a group of things; a collection; parts that belong together
- Imagination – making stories in your mind; thinking of new ideas; pictures in your head 🧠
- Privacy – being alone; keeping things secret; not sharing personal information with others
- Technology – science used in real life; machines like computers or phones; new electronic tools
- Hope – to want something to happen; to feel good about the future; to wish for a result.
- Keep – to have for a long time; to not lose; to continue to hold something.
Discussion Questions
- Do you think toys are becoming too complicated nowadays? Why or why not?
- Do you think a Smart Brick is better than a normal Lego brick? Why or why not?
- Is it a good idea for toys to have computer chips and speakers inside them?
- Do you think children use their imagination more when a toy is simple or when it has technology?
- Some people worry about privacy with smart toys. Do you think toys should listen to sounds in your house?
- Is a Star Wars set a good choice for the first Smart Brick toy? What other themes would you like to see?
- English teachers looking for teaching ideas, check out my post on using easy news articles for lessons.
- English learners looking for study ideas, check out my post on using news stories for English practice.
Original Story
Fill-in-the-Blank Listening Practice
Lego has a _____ toy. It is called the Smart Brick. Lego _____ it at the 2026 Consumer Electronics Show (CES). These bricks _____ like normal Legos, but they have computer chips inside. They also _____ lights and speakers.
The bricks _____ make sounds. For example, a toy plane can make a _____ when it flies. If the plane crashes into the floor, the _____ turns red. A toy cake can hear you blow out _____ .
The first Lego set _____ the Smart Brick is a Star Wars set. It _____ to shops in March.
Some people do not like _____ toys. They say kids do not need Smart Bricks to _____ . They think kids should use their own _____ to make stories. They also worry about privacy. They think the _____ bricks are better because they are simple.
Lego _____ the new bricks are good. They think technology _____ children play in new ways. Lego wants to mix _____ with computers. They hope this keeps kids happy for a long _____ . This is Lego’s biggest change in _____ years.
