How to Make Medieval Castle Models

A Medieval Castle

Medieval castles were defensive structures commonly built of stone. A high wall, or set of walls, enclosed a group of buildings. A tall tower building called the keep was generally the focal point of the complex. Other buildings might include gatehouses, additional towers, and various residential and storage structures. You can build your own miniature castle out of Styrofoam bricks. Let us see how to make medieval castle models.

Things You'll Need

• 108 Styrofoam bricks 4 x 8 x 2 inches
• 2 Styrofoam boards 36 x 24 x 2
• Transparent tape
• Scissors or utility knife

Instructions

1. Place three Styrofoam bricks lengthwise in a row. Tape them together. Make another identical row and place it parallel to the first row. The two rows should be 16 inches apart.

2. Connect these two rows of bricks by placing two bricks lengthwise between the ends of each row. Tape them in place. You should have a perfect 24-inch square.

3. Repeat Steps 1 and 2 to make five more identical 24-inch squares of Styrofoam bricks. Tape one of these squares on top of the original square. Tape the third square on top of the second. You have completed the curtain wall of your medieval castle. It should be 12 inches high.

4. Tape two bricks together lengthwise. Place the long side of another brick perpendicular to the short sides of the bricks you just taped together. Repeat on the other side of the two bricks. Tape all f these bricks together. You should have an 8-inch square with no empty space inside it.

5. Repeat Step 4 a total of 11 times. Tape the first of these 8 inch squares to the top of the original square. Tape each of the other 8-inch squares to the one below it. You should have a keep 24 inches tall.

6. Cut four identical strips, 30 x 2 x 1 inches, out of a Styrofoam board. Place one strip at the end of one of the walls of the keep. Stand it up so that it is 30 inches high. One end of the strip should reach to the end of the keep wall. The 1-inch side of the strip should be parallel to the wall and the strip itself should stand out 2 inches from the wall of the keep.

7. Tape the strip to the keep wall. It should rise 6 inches above the top of the wall. Repeat Step 6 by placing each of the remaining strips at the other end of the same wall, and on the ends of the wall opposite.

8. Place the other Styrofoam board flat on a table. Center the curtain wall on the board. Tape it in place. Place the keep in the center of the curtain wall and tape it in place.

Tips & Warnings

• Draw windows and doorways on the curtain walls and keep. Paint the walls and towers your favorite colors. Add small flags as decoration.

• If making a larger or smaller castle adjust the size of the bricks accordingly. Make additional structures shorter than the keep.

Resources

• SaveOnCrafts Styrofoam bricks and other craft supplies
• The Complete Sculptor Styrofoam boards and other sculpting supplie
• Model Castles