See This Creative Dad’s Ode to the 50 US States Using LEGOs

As an adult, the most common LEGO-related injury you have to deal with is probably a sore foot caused by a stray piece you stumbled on in the dark. But when kids are involved, you might be less worried about the injuries you can see and more concerned about them swallowing one of those plastic pieces — not least because it means spending the next few weeks taking careful note of everything else that comes out of them to make sure the LEGO emerges safely.

In the name of soothing those fears, a new study published in the Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health set out to discover how long it takes for a LEGO head to pass through a digestive system and if any risks are involved. For insight on the research, we spoke to study co-author Dr. Tessa Davis, a consultant in pediatric emergency medicine at the Royal London Hospital, and co-founder of Don’t Forget the Bubbles, a website and conference dedicated to pediatric care whose team conducted the study. Warning: You might want to save this for later if you’re eating lunch (at least if you’re not munching on LEGO bricks).

The Background

Although the researchers applied scientific methodologies, the study itself is not your usual totally serious medical paper. “We were looking for a lighthearted study to do in the run-up to Christmas, but with a serious underlying message,” explains Davis. “Ingested foreign objects are a really common presentation to children’s emergency departments: I probably see around one child a day who has swallowed something they shouldn’t have.” As the authors note, previous research on the subject has mostly covered coins. They cite an earlier study which found that coins take 3.1 to 5.8 days to pass through a digestive system. However, that was from 1971, so it seemed like the time was ripe to revisit the issue with a toy that kids today are more likely to come into contact with.

The main point of the study, Davis tells us, was to set concerned parents’ minds at ease. “Parents often wonder when to worry and when not to bother. The reality is that most objects when swallowed don’t cause any harm — once they make it to your stomach, they will just pass out with no problems. If it gets stuck on the way down, then that’s a problem, or if you develop any symptoms of pain, vomiting, or constipation, that can suggest it’s causing a blockage. Most objects are fine, but something like button batteries or magnets can cause serious issues, and these will very likely need to be removed quickly — so parents must bring their kids to the emergency department.”

The Methodology

Using children as guinea pigs was obviously not an option, so six courageous adult participants stepped up to the task. In the study, the authors acknowledged the possibility that the results might be different in children, but added that “there is little evidence to support this” — if anything, the LEGO piece might make its way through a child quicker. The candidates all worked in pediatric hospital care, and were only considered eligible if they had not previously had gastrointestinal surgery… and were open to ingesting a LEGO head and then searching for it in the days afterward.

In the three days before swallowing the LEGO, each kept a diary monitoring their bowel movements, so the researchers could see if the quality and quantity would affect how long it took to pass the LEGO head. All participants swallowed their individual LEGO heads around the same time, between 7am and 9am, since time of day could affect digestion. They were then tasked with searching for it on its way out, using whatever method they chose. The main factor was how long it took the piece to reappear after swallowing it, a measurement the researchers called the Found and Retrieved Time (FART). (We know.)

It took an average of 1.71 days and an average of two bowel movements for the participants to recover their LEGO heads. The shortest time was 1.14 days (27 h 20 min), while the longest was 3.04 days (72 h 35 min). One unlucky participant had to continue with the experiment for two weeks before the researchers called off the search, assuming he would never find his LEGO head. “Either he missed it,” Davis notes, “or… it’s still up there.”

The Takeaway

As you can tell, the study was done in good humor, but the results do prove a useful point for parents and caretakers who have worried about a piece of LEGO that’s vanished into a kid’s mouth (and beyond). “The aim of the study was to reassure parents that most objects [when swallowed] are fine and that there is no point searching through your child’s poo to find them,” Davis reassures us. “If a respected academic pediatrician can’t find a LEGO head in his own stools, then who can?” That said, she emphasizes again that some objects and reactions are a cause for concern. “If your child swallows a button battery or a magnet, or has symptoms after swallowing an object, then please seek medical assessment.”

As for what’s next for the team, should they return to this subject, in the study, they suggest comparing coins and LEGO, preferably with some participants swallowing both at the same time, and also comparing different parts of LEGO figurines, including legs and bodies. “We’re considering upgrading to Duplo,” Davis adds.

In case you were worried, the brave participants who put their bodies on the line in the name of advancing our understanding of this important medical issue are doing fine. “We are all very proud of our involvement in this study,” says Davis, “and are glad it’s caused so many people to smile, as well as getting our message out there.”

What’s the weirdest thing you’ve known someone to swallow? Share your stories with us @BritandCo.

(Photos via Getty)

When Maia Weinstock got the opportunity to design a unique Lego set through the LEGO Ideas program, she decided to create a kit based on one of her biggest passions. As a science writer and deputy editor of MIT News, Weinstock had a stockpile of research on outstanding women in science and engineering. Therefore, she decided to create a LEGO set that highlights several of NASA’s finest women in STEM. But instead of focusing on generic women of science, Weinstock chose to focus on real women who have greatly impacted the NASA program. “This is something I am passionate about,” Weinstock told Space, “which is bringing [science] personalities to light. It was a risk. I mean, nothing like this has ever been posted before, at least in terms of women.”

After Weinstock posted her idea to the LEGO Ideas platform and got picked up on social media by celebrities like Hidden Figures actress Janelle Monáe, the set quickly gained the 10,000 votes it needed to be considered by LEGO executives. With the full support of LEGO behind her, Weinstock’s project is finally ready to hit shelves just before the holiday toy craziness begins. As of November 1, the LEGO Ideas Women of NASA Set ($25) is available to purchase, featuring mini-figures of four famous women of NASA: NASA executive Nancy Grace Roman, computer scientist Margaret Hamilton, physicist Sally Ride, and engineer Mae Jamison. It immediately became the #1 bestselling toy on Amazon.

We love the idea of inspiring our kiddos to dream up grand interstellar goals in the STEM fields, especially considering the fact that the 2017 astronaut class included five awesome new female recruits. Here’s a sneak peek at the figures included in Lego’s new set.

1. Margaret Hamilton: This amazing gal is best known for popularizing the modern concept of software. Her LEGO set displays the iconic scene from 1969 where Hamilton and her team worked with NASA to develop the onboard flight software for the Apollo missions to the moon.

2. Nancy Grace Roman: Nancy Roman, warmly nicknamed the Mother of Hubble, was one of the first female executives at NASA. In her Lego scene, you’ll find her with a posable Hubble Space Telescope (which she is famous for her role in helping create and plan) and a projected image of a planetary nebula.

3. Sally Ride and Mae Jemison: In 1983, physicist Sally ride broke a major glass ceiling by being the first American woman in space onboard the Challenger for mission STS-7. In 1992, medical doctor Mae Jemison pushed the envelope further by becoming the first African-American woman in space for the STS-47 Spacelab-J mission on the Endeavour. In their Lego scene, both women stand near a launchpad with the Space Shuttle Challenger, which blasts off with three removable rocket stages.

Are you planning on picking up LEGO’s new Women of NASA kit? Tweet us by mentioning @BritandCo.

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(Photos via The LEGO Group)

Rachel Zegler’s Snow White is living in a world of wishes. At least, according to the Evil Queen (Gal Gadot). You see, the king is missing and the Evil Queen has turned the kingdom into a place of isolation and distress under the guise of strength. She forces Snow White to be a servant in her own home and criticizes the princess’ literal well wishes as frivolity and cowardice.

But while the 1937 Snow White proposes that your wish will come true if you hear it echo, Rachel’s Snow doesn't just listen to the echoes — she uses them to propel her forward.

Disney's 2025 Snow Whiteis one of the best live-action remakes yet thanks to Rachel Zegler and Andrew Burnap.

Rachel Zegler's Snow White is more inspirational than ever.

Walt Disney Studios

In the standout ballad “Waiting on a Wish," Snow White wonders “is it almost someday?” as she confronts the exhaustion and weary hope of waiting for a day of peace she’s not sure will ever come. Snow knows her father can set everything right, but struggles to believe she’s as “fearless, brave, fair, and true” as he is, even if she knows her true identity is a future queen.

Throughout the course of the movie, she finally comes to believe it’s up to her to change the fact the Evil Queen has “poisoned everyone into believing it’s everyone for themselves.” It’s that echo from the wishing well that provides an undercurrent to this new story — Snow White is waiting, but she’s actively waiting.

We are, after all, living in a post ‘90s-princess world, where our canon includes Belle daydreaming about a life outside her village and Mulan taking destiny into her own hands. Rachel Zegler’s Snow White isn’t just dreaming of a different life, she’s dreaming about actually changing her life, and becoming the boldest, truest version of herself.

This shift proves Disney movies are no longer purely about celebrating an original story’s beauty or providing comfort; they’re a call to action. Whether that shift is a good thing or a bad thing remains to be seen, but I walked out of the theater feeling better than I did walking in.

Walt Disney Studios

Despite Disney’s OG princess getting a couple contemporary updates, the integrity of the character remains intact because the updates aren’t harsh or biting. The character doesn’t steer into one-dimensional territory where she’s only obsessed with true love or only obsessed with reclaiming the kingdom. Snow White doesn’t let anyone step all over her, but none of her sweetness is sacrificed for shock value, and that combination of firm and bold kindness inspires change in others.

Whether it’s offering comfort or literally saving someone’s life, Snow White actually shows up for people. And the butterfly effect of her actions culminate in a true, old fashioned showdown between Snow White and the Queen. Snow White’s return to the palace — as princess and not servant — moves the townspeople to sing her parents’ old song, in turn giving her the confidence to claim she’s “everything [she was] wishing and waiting for.”

'Snow White' is the kind of nostalgic Disney movie we haven't seen in years.

Walt Disney Studios

Erin Cressida Wilson's script feels like the kind of sweet Disney story we all love, with emotional beats, pacing, and humor that had me reminiscing on titles like Tangled, Miramax's Ella Enchanted, and the first season of Once Upon a Time on ABC.

Director Marc Webb reframes the original cartoon’s theme of waking up in a really remarkable way because outside the literal poison apple of it all, after Snow White challenges the Queen, she reminds the soldiers of their true identities to wake them up and reclaim the palace.

Snow also ties the idea of waking up with falling in love, because contrary to internet chatter, the live-action Snow White does actually have a love story. And it’s one that had me literally giggling. Rachel Zegler and Andrew Burnap’s fun banter quickly morphs into butterfly-inducing stares and smaller, quiet moments every romance fan will love. And yes, they do address the kissing-without-consent issue a lot of Disney viewers have with the original cartoon.

The fleshed-out love story as well as added subplots about Dopey’s inability to speak and Snow White’s desire to make her father proud — plus a truly gorgeous score from Jeff Morrow — add so much nuance and emotion to the iconic story that people in my theater gasped and applauded throughout the third act.

Rachel Zegler is a true shining star.

Walt Disney Studios

Rachel Zegler is radiant as Snow White, and her performance makes the whole film shine. I’ve said for years that her voice solidifies her as a generational talent, but her expressions and awareness of the world around her truly set her apart. Not to mention the fact the film itself is a gorgeous, textured visual display that made me forget I was in a movie theater. And I could talk forever about the animated woodland animals!

The movie features songs from the original like “Whistle While You Work” (and if you listen closely, you can hear Rachel humming a few notes of “Someday My Prince Will Come” during a key scene), but the movie also adds some new songs from Justin Paul and Benj Pasek that join the ranks of great Disney music — especially “Waiting on a Wish” and “A Hand Meets A Hand,” which they co-wrote with Lizzy McAlpine.

But Gal Gadot's performance leaves something to be desired.

Walt Disney Studios

Compared to Rachel Zegler’s stellar performance, Gal Gadot’s role as the Evil Queen left me wanting more, especially when it comes to her big number “All Is Fair,” which I wish I'd heard from a Broadway diva. The character’s obsession with her physical beauty in and of itself also feels thin and outdated compared to the depth the new story offers Snow White. (The beginning of the movie does mention the Queen’s beauty is the source of magical power, but it’s so brief I forgot about it until my second watch).

And while I found the animated Seven Dwarves charming (and their story brought me to tears), I still don’t understand the decision to animate the characters rather than casting seven actors with dwarfism.

Walt Disney Studios

Overall, Disney’s live-action Snow White is a heartfelt film that inspires audiences to not just dream of redemption, but to actually make changes that better the world around them. Because Snow White will always be kind, but she’s not whispering anymore.

What did you think about the live-action Snow White? Read ourThe Little Mermaid movie review for more Disney think pieces!