Sure, we parents may think of LEGOs as those things that live under the couch cushions or turn up (ouch!) unexpectedly on the carpet. But what if, for a special day, all those little squares were supposed to be underfoot? That was the idea reader and LEGO-maniac Katie Lemberg had when, at age nine, she and her mom created a LEGO party.

THE HIT OF THE PARTY:

Katie's mom baked a sheet cake, set eight cupcakes on top (held in place with toothpicks), and frosted it a bright color to look like a giant LEGO piece. "It was great," Katie recalls. "None of the adults knew what it was --and all of the kids did."

DECOR:

Streamers in bright primary colors and heaps and heaps of LEGOs.

FUN & GAMES:

In addition to just building with the bricks, Katie came up with a few other LEGO-inspired games.

•Build a tower. Katie's dad dumped a bunch of LEGOs on the floor, then timed guests to see who could build the tallest structure in two minutes.

•Guess how many LEGOs are in a jar.

•Pin the LEGO on the...LEGO. Create a landscape with an integral piece missing, such as a boat's deep-sea diver or a castle's flag, and, with eyes closed, kids must take turns trying to place it in the right spot.

FAVORS:

A small LEGO set and LEGO-shaped candies (available at some specialty candy stores).