How to build a magnetic tile spinosaurus

The dinosaur with a sail on its back. Six tall triangles fan out on each side into a half circle, red and blue in turn, sitting flat on both legs, with pyramid spikes along the top and a pointed tail behind. It looks tricky, but it goes together in six easy stages.

Tiles
54
Level
Hard
Ages
6+
Time
35–45 minutes

Last updated

A spinosaurus built from 54 magnet tiles

Drag to turn it

Every tile in place 54 of 54

Step by step

  1. Tiles 1–8

    Stand on two legs

    Make two boxes, each from four squares standing on their edges, and set them a little less than two squares apart. The ends of the sail will rest on them.

  2. Tiles 9–20

    Fan out the sail

    Stand six tall triangles edge to edge around one point between the legs, red and blue in turn. They make a half circle: the first lies flat on the front leg and the last on the back leg. Build the same six on the other side, one square behind the first.

  3. Tiles 21–24

    Close the top

    Lay four squares across the top edges of the middle four triangles to join the two sides.

  4. Tiles 25–40

    Add the spikes

    On each of those squares, lean a triangle in from every edge so the four meet in a point: a red, an orange, a yellow and a blue spike.

  5. Tiles 41–45

    Point the tail back

    Close the last pair of triangles with a square, then lean four tall triangles in from its edges so they meet in a long point behind.

  6. Tiles 46–54

    Raise the head

    Build a box of five squares at the front of the body, with its open end facing forward, and tip it up a little. Close the open end with four triangles that meet in a point for the snout.

The 3D guide above places every one of the 54 tiles in this order. In the app it also counts your tiles, swaps in the colours you own and shows the spinosaurus on your table in AR.

Tips

Make your spinosaurus even better

Build on something hard

The legs are narrow, so a table or a wooden floor keeps your dinosaur standing.

Stripe the sail

Alternate two colours from the front to make the sail look striped, or give every triangle its own.

Make a swamp

Lay flat blue and green squares on the table. A spinosaurus loved to wade in water.

Build a rival

Stand it next to the magnetic tile T-rex for a dinosaur showdown.

Questions

About the magnetic tile spinosaurus

How many magnetic tiles do you need to build a spinosaurus?

This spinosaurus takes 54 tiles: 18 squares, 16 tall triangles and 20 triangles. That is more tall triangles than one box usually holds, so it is a build for a bigger collection or two boxes put together. Magitile checks your tiles before you start.

What age is this dinosaur for?

It is one of the harder builds, best from about six, or younger with a grown-up. The sail is the fiddly part, so a grown-up can help hold the triangles while the squares go across.

What is the difference between a spinosaurus and a T-rex?

A spinosaurus has a tall sail on its back and a long, narrow snout. A T-rex has a huge head and tiny arms. You can build both with Magitile.

Do the colours have to match?

No. Any colours work; the ones shown are only a suggestion. Magitile can also repaint a build in the colours you own.

Build the spinosaurus with Magitile

Step-by-step 3D, your own tile colours and AR, plus hundreds more builds. Free to download for iPhone and iPad.

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