COEUR d'ALENE - Little people with big imaginations proved the universe has no limits as they participated in LEGO-rama 2014 in the Community Room of the Coeur d'Alene Public Library on Saturday afternoon.

With no blueprints or design plans, more than 60 boys and girls created LEGO structures following the theme of "Space: Building for the Future." The pieces were displayed on tables as the youngsters enjoyed some LEGO playtime before the speed-building contests and judging commenced.

Michael Lamanna, 10, of Coeur d'Alene, said it felt cool to be one of the speed-challenge winners in his age group. His main entry, "Police Ship," featured "Star Wars" characters aboard a spacecraft. He said he devised it from his imagination in about an hour.

"Just having fun with it and messing around" is his favorite part of LEGO building, he said. And he said he may grow up to be a professional LEGO master someday.

Alex Torres, 9, of Coeur d'Alene, built an alien spaceship titled "Space," complete with little green aliens and plastic fire blasting out of the rear engines. She worked on it with a friend. She and her little brother both entered the contest.

"My brother has big bins of LEGOs," she said. "It's kind of fun because once you put something on, and then you find an awesome piece, then you're like, 'Where do I put it?"

The LEGO entries were judged by members of the TeraViks, Coeur d'Alene High School's FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics team.

Team co-captain and CHS senior Preston Dryden, 17, and a teammate, sophomore Josh Wheeler, 16, have been volunteering at LEGO-rama for more than three years.

"We come in, see what the kids have invented and show off our robot so we can get kids interested early on into science and math and everything like that," Dryden said. "Since I've been judging, I've always been impressed with the things that they come up with, and how the kids come up with different ways to go with the theme."

Creations were judged on creativity, ability to go with the theme, uniqueness and a "People's Choice Award" was available for spectators to cast their votes for their favorites. The age groups were 4 to 6, 7 to 10 and 11 to 13 and winners received certificates as well as the honor of having their creations on display in the library.

"It's always neat to see how abstract the ideas are, because they don't think in terms of, 'This wouldn't work,' they think in terms of, 'I want this to work," Wheeler said.

LEGO leader and library communications coordinator David Townsend wore his plush LEGO slippers as he oversaw the competitions and made announcements. A self-proclaimed 10-year-old at heart, Townsend has been the LEGO leader since the program began. Townsend said LEGO-rama occurred to sort of balance the American Girl tea parties that were held in the old library, which attracted mainly girls.

"We wanted something in addition to the American Girl activities that was going to be something that would be popular for both boys and girls to do," he said. "It has grown from there."

The library offers LEGO Club meetings for kids ages 5 to 8 each Thursday from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.

"I loved to build things when I was their age," Townsend said. "So it kind of brings out the kid in me."

Although only entrants in the specified age groups could win prizes, people of all ages were encouraged bring in their masterpieces and share in the LEGO fun.