Twin-Spire Rainbow Castle

Before you build with real tiles

• Check the materials list first: two complete spires need eight tall triangles, four more than the four listed in the photographed set. One 104-piece box is not enough for this complete model.
• The body is four tiles wide and one tile deep. The side walls are two levels high and the central towers three. Hidden rear walls, roofs and foundation tiles are counted too.
• Tall triangles and battlements use nominal digital proportions. Check dimensions, magnet positions and strength against your physical pieces.
• Close the wall rings before installing the complete roofs. Assemble each four-triangle cap on the table and have an adult support it while placing it. Digital checks are not a physical trial.

Build reference

How to build it, step by step

1. 1. Lay out the four-tile foundation

   Add in this step: 4 square tiles

   Join four squares in a row. The middle two support the tall towers; the ends support lower walls.

   Hands-on tip: Lay all four tiles flat and align their edges; substitute colors freely.

   

2. 2. Build colored wall level 1

   Add in this step: 8 square tiles · 2 arch door tiles

   Put two red arch doors in the middle of the front wall. Add squares beside them, along the back and at both ends to close the wall ring.

   Hands-on tip: Align the full magnetic edges and close each level. An adult should steady the long walls until the ends are joined.

   

3. 3. Build colored wall level 2

   Add in this step: 9 square tiles · 1 four-pane window tiles

   Keep the second level four tiles wide. Add a yellow four-pane window on the left; the front runs red, orange, yellow and purple.

   Hands-on tip: Align the full magnetic edges and close each level. An adult should steady the long walls until the ends are joined.

   

4. 4. Roof the two lower terraces

   Add in this step: 2 square tiles

   Roof the two end sections at two levels high. Keep the middle open for the taller towers.

   Hands-on tip: Align each roof tile to the wall tops and lower it gently without pressing.

   

5. 5. Raise the middle twin towers

   Add in this step: 6 square tiles

   Add a third level only over the middle two cells: red and blue at the front and back, plus a side wall at each end.

   Hands-on tip: Close the six-tile ring. Align the side walls to the edges of the lower walls or finished terraces.

   

6. 6. Close the two tower tops

   Add in this step: 2 square tiles

   Place one square over each central cell to give each spire a complete four-edge base.

   Hands-on tip: Join both front and rear walls. Align the center seam without overlapping tiles.

   

7. 7. Assemble the slender left spire

   Add in this step: 4 tall triangle tiles

   Join four tall triangles into a complete cap with an orange front and blue side. Lift it onto the left tower.

   Hands-on tip: Close all four sloping seams on the table, then support the complete cap with both hands while placing it.

   

8. 8. Place the matching right spire

   Add in this step: 4 tall triangle tiles

   Use four more tall triangles for a green-fronted cap with a purple side. Both spires should reach the same height.

   Hands-on tip: Close all four faces before placing the cap on its own four-edge base; do not rest one spire on the other.

   

9. 9. Finish the side battlements

   Add in this step: 4 battlement tiles

   Add two red battlements to each terrace: one across the front and one along the outer edge.

   Hands-on tip: Join each full bottom edge to a terrace edge with the teeth facing up; do not use the teeth to support other tiles.

   

A little help for grown-ups

You do not need to plan a lesson. Use these prompts when you reach a tricky step, or when your child wants to try an idea of their own.