Match the shapes and quantities. The pictures show our colours. Use the pictured part and stud dimensions to find the same shape.
Count the studs
Studs are the round bumps on top. Count the lines of studs across and along a piece. When a step leaves a clear row or column, keep that space empty. Match the picture to keep the model facing the same way.
Follow the colour
New pieces keep their colour in each step. Earlier pieces are lighter so you can see what to add. The finished-model picture shows all the colours together.
Choose how to play
Choose one model and check its pieces first. Take it apart to reuse those pieces for another model. Pack-wide lists are optional planning tools; the exact-colour list follows the pictured palette.
Gather your pieces
Match the shapes and quantities. The pictures show our colours. Colour names in the steps refer to the pictures. Keep useful contrasts, such as a light belly against a dark body.
Shape-only checklist
Match these shapes and quantities. The full checklist above shows our pictured colours.
Build step by step
01
Step 1. Lay four pairs of red small plates across the table. The two plates in each pair meet end to end. Leave a clear row between pairs for eight separate walking legs.
02
Step 2. Join the four pairs of legs with two red long plates, end to end down the centre. Leave two rows projecting behind the back pair.
03
Step 3. Bridge the join between the long plates with a red long brick down the middle.
04
Step 4. Add two red long bricks across the body, one behind and one in front of the middle brick.
05
Step 5. Cover the body with a red base plate. Its front edge lines up with the front body brick.
06
Step 6. Add two red double-curved bricks side by side on the back half of the shell.
07
Step 7. Put two white square bricks at the front of the shell for raised eyes.
08
Step 8. Add a black square on each white eye.
09
Step 9. Put two red small plates across the front end of the long stem for claw arms. Their inside columns meet over the stem.
10
Step 10. Raise each claw with a red square on the outer end of its arm.
11
Step 11. Put a red small plate across each raised square. Centre it so a column projects at each side.
12
Step 12. Make each open claw with two red wall bricks, one on each outer column of its plate. The two-column gap stays open.
Ready to play
Move the crab sideways across a paper beach.
Count eight walking legs and two claws.
Draw a rock pool and tell a story about what the crab finds.
