Young Builders Lay the Foundation: Watertown Hosts Successful Block Kids® Competition

Name: Block Kids® Competition
Location: Boldt Construction

Steve Jurrens
Feb 9
2 min read

Children with medals and certificates at the Block Kids® Competition in Watertown, standing before colorful banners and a backdrop.

Northeast Radio SD News - Watertown, SD - The sounds of clicking bricks and intense concentration filled the air this past Saturday as the NAWIC Dakota Prairies Chapter #394 hosted its annual Block Kids® Competition.

The event, held at Boldt Construction on Piper Avenue, brought together local students from grades K–6 for a morning of solo engineering and creative design. As a national hands-on building program, Block Kids® aims to introduce the next generation to the vast possibilities within the construction and engineering industries.

A Test of Skill and Focus

The competition floor was a “no-parent zone,” forcing the young participants to rely entirely on their own problem-solving skills. Armed with a kit of LEGO-style bricks, the students were tasked with building structures that were judged on three strict criteria: Creativity, Design, and Problem-solving.

“We run a tight job site,” organizers noted, emphasizing the professional yet encouraging atmosphere of the event. The goal was to move beyond simple play and challenge the children to think like real-world project managers and architects.

Celebrating the Winners

While every participant walked away with hands-on experience, several builders stood out for their exceptional structural integrity and vision. The event concluded with an awards ceremony featuring:

· Grade-Level Prizes: Awarded to top builders in each category from Kindergarten through 6th grade.

· Overall Champions: Cash prizes were presented to the Top 3 overall finishers for their “building brilliance.”

Community Support

The success of the event was made possible through the support of Boldt Construction, which hosted the competition and provided a space for the kids to explore STEM concepts in a real-world setting.

As the bricks are packed away for another year, the NAWIC Dakota Prairies Chapter continues its mission to inspire future professionals to consider careers in construction—one block at a time.