LEGO exhibition at Abu Dhabi’s Natural History Museum: 13.8 billion years in bricks

The Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi will open LEGO SHOWS Natural Brickstory on 21 August — a world-first, limited-time exhibition that compresses 13.8 billion years of natural history into collaborative brick builds.

The show pairs hands-on LEGO building with the museum’s specimens and scientific stories. Visitors join group builds across themed zones covering Earth’s history, wildlife and the cosmos, plus trails and workshops. Further highlights will be announced in the coming weeks, the museum said.

“Play is fundamental to learning and discovery. It sparks curiosity, fuels imagination, and nurtures creativity – the very qualities that drive scientific exploration.” — Dr Peter C. Kjærgaard, Director of Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi

Thirteen point eight billion years is a lot of natural history to keep straight, and the museum’s answer is studs. A child who builds a trilobite may remember it longer than one who reads about it. Alia AlHammadi, acting partnerships director, called the show an invitation to see a familiar museum fresh — for “everyone, from first-time visitors to dedicated LEGO enthusiasts”.

The exhibition runs on standard museum entry, which covers the main galleries and special exhibitions: AED 70 for adults, free for under-18s. Fazaa and Esaad cardholders pay AED 45.50; UAE university students, teachers and military personnel AED 32.50. UAE residents get 30% off entry until 30 September. The immersive theatre is ticketed separately.

Natural Brickstory opens daily from 10am to 6:30pm Monday to Thursday and until 8:30pm Friday to Sunday at the Saadiyat Cultural District museum, with last entry 45 minutes before closing. Tickets are on sale at tickets.nhmad.ae. It runs alongside the museum’s permanent galleries — Stan the T. rex among the residents — and follows its earlier AR experiences and the FIRST LEGO League UAE season.