Was there ever a more enduring and creative children’s toy than Lego? The only limit to these small coloured building blocks seems to be the imagination of those who play with them. While today’s children skilfully build their sophisticated grooming parlours and intricate fantasy dragons, back in my day we were spellbound by simple primary-coloured blocks and the stout little humanoids of the 1980s.

It’s not only the pieces of this Danish educational toy which have become more complex, so too has the company itself; today the brand includes movies, household items, dedicated shops, and of course, eight global theme parks. It’s fair to say that Lego has spread its creative magic across the world like no other children’s toy, traversing generations, gender and geopolitical divides.

Just like their father and I before them, my own children, Millie and Eva, aged 10 and seven respectively, have never known childhood without a seemingly bottomless tub of these small technicoloured bricks. “Really? Really?” they squeal in unison as they embrace the giant Lego dragon guarding the entrance to Dubai’s Legoland, though we’re given little time to answer as they rush through the turnstiles and into the park.

We’re visiting the park in August and although the UAE is experiencing a momentary (and thankful) lull in humidity, it’s still rather hot. It’s far from empty however, and the park’s multicultural visitors are taking advantage of uncongested activities and the absence of queues.

We catch up to the girls in the air-conditioned “Miniland” – the signature showpiece of each global Legoland park. However, Miniland Dubai is something a little bit special because of course, Dubai demands nothing less. As the only fully indoor Miniland, it’s not only fabulously air-conditioned but showcases iconic buildings from the UAE and beyond. Constructed from a staggering 20 million Lego bricks, the scenes come to life at the press of a button and as night begins to fall they twinkle in spectacular illuminations. As the Burj Khalifa’s Dubai Fountain begins its dance, Eva is spellbound; having experienced the life-sized fountain already, she’s captivated by the miniature version.

For a few moments, we think Millie is missing. She’s not –she’s simply discovered the “secret” tunnels under and into the Lego Pyramids of Giza. As she’s coaxed out, she emerges with a giant grin and tales of tomb raiders and mini mummies.

The rides and attractions throughout the park differ in appeal and cover the full age range from toddler to 12. For scaredy-cats like Millie and I, there are gentler rides and construction challenges, but for braver family members like Eva and her father, the rollercoasters and other high-octane rides keep them more than entertained.

The Dubai heat has no impact on two awestruck tweenies as they dash from zone to zone. As for the adults, although fatigued by both heat and walking, we enjoy the girls’ pleasure and their infectious, child-like wonder as they explore the park. All six themed lands offer a balance of thrilling rides, immersive building experiences, attractions, and of course the all-important Lego shopping outlets. The girls pretty quickly discover the shops stock additions to their much-loved Lego ranges, not yet available in the UAE’s shops.

After more than four hours in the park and now laden down with our newly purchased Lego haul, tiredness begins to set in. Thankfully, we’ve booked into the Park’s only hotel, the Polynesian themed family resort, Lapita, Dubai Parks and Resorts. We’re expecting a high-end stay; Lapita is after all, a member of Marriott’s exclusive Autograph Collection. What we don’t expect though, is for the magic to follow us out of the Park and into the hotel. Yet, it does exactly that.

Located moments from Legoland’s entrance, the hotel’s tropical gardens, lagoon-style pools, and South Seas décor transport us from one magical land directly into another. Named after the mysterious Lapita people who began populating the islands of the Pacific by sea-faring canoe some 3,000 years ago, the hotel is in fact, rather aptly named. Lapita’s fun, warmth, and sense of relaxed-island-living, feels a million nautical miles from the deserts of the UAE.

Inspired by the landscape and architecture of the islands of Polynesia, the hotel features 504 rooms and 60 suites, and three independent luxury villas arranged throughout a vast tropical oasis between the main hotel and eight low-rise “clusters”. The tropical-island feel continues through the grounds with meandering rustic paths, two large, lagoon-style temperature controlled pools, and much to the girls’ delight – the hotel’s very own “lazy river”.

In the lobby, the engaging staff, approachably attired in panama hats and Hawaiian shirts, entertain the girls. As we check-in, they enjoy enthusiastically discussing the park and demonstrating their recent Lego purchases.

Check-in complete, we take a buggy through the tropical gardens to our family room, (a deluxe king room with adjoining deluxe twin), located in one of the low-rise garden clusters. It’s an immediate hit, especially when the girls discover their own cupcake-making kit: bare cupcakes with a selection of fondants and various toppings, all served in edible chocolate cups. They set to work immediately, and before long, the already stocked minibar is burgeoning with their crafty creations.

In our room, more thoughtful (and quite frankly delicious) items abound. There’s a three-tier cake rack with layers of macarons, delectable chocolate creations and other nibbles. And, really, what parent wouldn’t appreciate the Illy Francis Francis capsule espresso machine?

The décor is deep, dark woods and textured slates, all impeccably finished, yet the proliferation of bold Polynesian art and colourful soft furnishings keeps the atmosphere light and energising. In the bathroom, we find Tommy Bahama toiletries paired with the fluffiest green bathrobes.

After the thrills of the day, it’s only a matter of time before the girls are demanding sustenance, so we make our way back to the main hotel building. The Lapita has four different dining options. There’s Ari, the casual poolside restaurant and bar serving international cuisine; the family-friendly Kalea buffet with a South Seas twist; the distinctly adult Lani, with its rooftop setting and Polynesian-inspired tapas, and our choice for the evening, Hikina, Lapita’s high-end, contemporary Cantonese restaurant. The décor is a delicate balance of East and West, comfortable yet contemporary, with a theatrical open kitchen taking centre stage. It’s the perfect setting for little people to leave their devices behind and work on their dining skills. I’m relieved to see the children’s menu is a balance of healthy choices and less-traditional treats, with interesting dishes like egg-drop soup and prawn moneybags, balanced by more conventional fried fish of the day with noodles and chicken breast with rice and bok choy.

To start, we choose crabmeat dumpling soup, sesame-prawn toast, prawn moneybags and the intriguing, aromatic “mock” duck for Eva, who’s currently experimenting with vegetarianism. Interestingly, it’s Millie – our confirmed carnivore – who tucks into this crispy-fried and marinated bean curd; completely unaware it’s not actually meat until we tell her.

My husband, who recently returned from the Far East, declares the crabmeat dumpling soup “highly authentic”, while the generous portions of prawns in both the toast and delicate filo-prawn moneybags have everyone cooing. As the family aficionado on chicken soup, it was little surprise that Millie chose the chicken egg drop soup. Although the whisked egg made the dish a departure from the norm, she enjoyed both the taste and texture, much to my surprise. The other main courses – roast duck Cantonese style, sweet and sour chicken and stuffed bean curd rolls – are all beautifully presented, authentic and delicious. Dessert is for sharing with the delicate Hong Kong egg puddings and mango pudding topped with coconut and fresh mint, the clear favourites.

Free from electronics, the girls draw and colour throughout the meal, creating artworks to present to their favourite staff, receiving much appreciative feedback in the process. As we finish off, the staff line up at the table and hand the girls reciprocal drawings, presenting a Chinese landscape for Eva and a dragon for Millie. The girls are for once silenced at the thoughtful gesture, and as we leave, they do something so completely out of character, it’s now my turn to be surprised. Both girls spontaneously hug our servers for the evening; first Lily, then Chan.

Back at the rooms, the girls waste no time in pampering themselves with their animal-inspired “Little Ones” bath sets, and then snuggle on the balcony in their complimentary pink fluffy dressing gowns. Sitting together overlooking the tropical grounds, we discuss the day and conversation turns to the really important questions in life: “How many Lego creators does Legoland employ?” And indeed, the biggest one of all, “How exactly does one become a Legoland builder?”

Children rarely sleep in, no matter how sumptuous the double bed might be, nor indeed, how much their parents might wish them to, so after an early breakfast the following morning it’s time for the Luna & Nova Kids and Teen Club. Open from 9am daily, the club offers arts and crafts, mini-exercise classes, face painting and more while parents claim a few hours respite.

After creating yet more art (this time Polynesian inspired), the girls are ready to explore the lagoon swimming pools and the lazy river. Within minutes, they’ve made friends with other similarly aged swimmers and are rushing between the pools and taking turns on the lazy river.

Watching them play is like a window into the magical land of childhood. I wonder at the ease at which children accept new people, relish the excitement of new adventures, and their rock-solid belief that enchanted lands do indeed exist.

As I lie on the sun lounger listening to their laughter, I wonder too, if I can muster the momentum to get them out of the pool and ready to visit the remaining theme parks we’ve yet to explore: Legoland Water Park, the Hollywood-inspired Motiongate and Bollywood Park.