Kapla model: four towers and their arches
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Build the four towers and their arches step by step
Step 1: lay the starting square
Lay 2 planks flat, parallel, with room for 3 Kapla between them. Lay 2 more planks across them, one at each end. The whole model will grow from this small square.
Step 2: slide the square
Build 7 floors. On the 1st, 2 Kapla running like the first row, a little further apart. Then 3 per floor: 2 across and 1 lengthwise, laid a little further out, on one side then the other. The square stretches.
Step 3: split into 2 towers
Lay 4 planks across, 2 for each future square, then 4 lengthwise on top: the rectangle turns into 2 squares side by side. Build these 2 floors once more. There are your first 2 towers!
Step 4: move the towers apart and lay the arch
On each floor, move each tower out by one plank’s thickness. Every other floor, lay the arch: 2 Kapla across the middle, resting on both towers, like a little bridge. 5 floors, 26 planks.
Step 5: grow a tower on the arch
On the arch, lay 2 planks lengthwise: this is the start of a 3rd tower, in the middle. It grows like your very first square, and 2 arches link it to its neighbours. 5 floors, 38 Kapla.
💡 Astuce : the middle tower only rests on the arch: lay its planks gently, right in the centre.
Step 6: split the middle tower
The middle tower slides and splits in turn, as in step 3. On the 6th floor of this step, lay 8 planks lengthwise: you now have 4 towers! 50 Kapla in all.
Step 7: build the 4 towers straight up
Build 8 floors, taking turns: 1 floor of 14 planks across, 8 for the towers and 6 for the 3 arches, then 1 floor of 8 lengthwise.
Step 8: close the middle tower
Do step 6 in reverse: the 2 middle towers come closer and become a single tower again, standing on the arch. 5 floors, 42 planks.
Step 9: make the middle tower disappear
Carry on with step 5 in reverse: the middle tower narrows down to its first 2 planks on the arch. You have 2 towers left. 5 floors, 38 Kapla.
Step 10: bring the 2 towers closer
On each floor, move each tower in by one plank’s thickness, with the arch every other floor, then build 2 floors with no arch. 8 floors, 38 planks.
Step 11: close it like a mirror
The 2 towers meet, then the rectangle narrows down to the small starting square: 28 Kapla over 10 floors. Your model is the same at the top and the bottom, like in a mirror!
💡 Astuce : what if you grew a tower on each of the 3 arches? You will need even more planks, and a very gentle hand.
Frequently asked questions
They take 388, over 65 floors. A box of 280 Kapla is not enough: plan 2.
From 10 years old. The tower born on the arch needs gentle, precise moves: build it with an adult the first time.
The arch rests across the first 2 towers. The middle tower starts with 2 planks centred on it, then grows by repeating the split of the starting square.
More Kapla models and building ideas!
Skyscraper
Build a real Kapla skyscraper, like the ones in big cities: 4 towers side by side rising in a spiral, each stopping at its own floor, up to a crown and its spire! Floors of standing planks make it climb very fast: it stands over 1.50 m tall. This hard model takes 406 Kapla and can be built from age 9.
Two towers and their arch
Build a square of Kapla that splits into 2 towers! They move apart floor after floor, an arch links them, they rise straight up, then join again at the top. This model takes patience and lots of planks: 176 in all. It can be built from age 8.
Pinwheel hourglass
Build a Kapla hourglass, with its narrow waist in the middle! Each floor is a pinwheel square that steps in a tiny bit, then out again up to its starting width. This model takes precision but few planks: 76 in all. It can be built from age 6.
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