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How to Build LEGO Medieval Things

Dragons, knights, princesses: Medieval lore is popular with kids of all ages. LEGO has an entire line of medieval sets in its Kingdoms collection. However, creative builders can also replicate the world of King Arthur with pieces they already have lying around. Building plans vary from the extremely complex to the very basic. You also have the option of buying select sets, featuring horses and shields, to make your existing LEGOs seem more authentically medieval. At many LEGO stores, such as that in Orlando, Fla., you can even design your own princesses and princes, and choose pieces individually to meet your needs.

Things You'll Need

Baseplate
LEGO Kingdom Sets
Various bricks (see Resources)

Instructions

- 1
  Buy a LEGO Kingdom set. LEGO offers nine different sets in its Kingdom series, ranging in price from $6.99 to $99.99 as of July 2011. The most inexpensive set, Knight's Showdown, features two knights from opposing sides and a rolling catapult and weapons rack. The knights are armed with a sword and a battle axe, and are a perfect addition to an existing LEGO set. If you want to go all out, the 11 inch-high King's Castle, recommended for children 7 and up, features the king and seven soldiers, three catapults, a throne, a horse, a treasure chest and even a working gate/drawbridge.
- 2
  Create your own dragon or castle. If you'd rather build from scratch, or supplement a set you already have, use a building plan to make a castle and a scaly, tower-guarding beast. For the more experienced builder, one particularly elaborate dragon design plan calls for about 300 bricks. The resulting blue-eyed dragon has wings and sharp fangs, but the manual consists of 56 pages of instructions. Novel or more out-of-the-box builders may enjoy making a castle of their own design: One website even features models based on real English castles. These floorplans can be adapted to fit the size of your baseboard and imagination.
- 3
  Adapt existing sets. LEGO themes vary. They include Indiana Jones, Harry Potter, underwater Atlantis and Belville Horse Farms. Take elements from each of these sets, such as treasure, dungeons and wizards, monsters and kings, or horses and stables to make your own unique medieval kingdom. LEGO magazine also features monthly design ideas to create with the blocks that you have, which can be easily adapted to fit the medieval theme. Consider making an ice cream cone into a tower for your princess castle, or having knights fight a giant snake.

Construction Toys