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Make a T-Rex with LEGO®

Make a T-Rex with LEGO®
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Build a roaring T-Rex model using LEGO bricks, experiment with movable jaws and legs, adjust balance, and learn about dinosaur proportions and stability.

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Step-by-step guide to make a T-Rex with LEGO®

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Lego Jurassic Park Tyrannosaurus Rex Tutorial

What you need
Adult supervision required, assorted lego bricks and plates, flat plates for balancing the tail, lego hinge bricks or hinge plates, small 1x1 round pieces for eyes

Step 1

Collect all Materials Needed.

Step 2

Build the body by stacking bricks into a rectangular shape about 6–8 studs long and 3–4 studs wide.

Step 3

Attach a tapered tail to the back of the body using stacked plates so the tail is longer and thinner than the body.

Step 4

Build two identical sturdy legs by stacking bricks into columns with flat plates as feet.

Step 5

Attach the two legs under the body near the middle so the T-Rex can stand.

Step 6

Build two small arms using small plates and clip pieces to make tiny claws.

Step 7

Attach the arms to the front sides of the body.

Step 8

Create a head by stacking bricks and add a hinge piece so the jaw can move.

Step 9

Attach the head to the front of the body.

Step 10

Place your T-Rex on a flat surface and gently let go to see if it stands without tipping.

Step 11

If it tips forward add flat plates to the tail end to lengthen and add weight.

Step 12

If it tips backward slide the legs slightly forward under the body to shift the center of gravity.

Step 13

Open and close the hinged jaw to make it roar and check that the movement is smooth.

Step 14

If the jaw is too loose add a small stopper plate behind it or replace the hinge with a tighter one.

Step 15

Share a photo or story of your roaring T-Rex on DIY.org.

Final steps

You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!

Complete & Share
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Help!?

What can we use if we don't have a hinge piece or clip pieces?

If you don't have a hinge piece or clip pieces you can substitute a small Technic pin and bush as a pivot for the head and use a 1x1 plate with clip or a tiny rubber-band loop to make the small arms and claws hold together.

My T-Rex keeps tipping or the jaw is floppy — how do I fix that?

If it tips forward add flat plates to the tail end to lengthen and add weight, if it tips backward slide the legs slightly forward under the body, and if the jaw is too loose add a small stopper plate behind it or replace the hinge with a tighter one.

How can I adapt this build for different ages?

For younger kids use larger Duplo or bigger bricks and pre-stack the legs while skipping the hinge step, and for older kids follow the 6–8 studs long body and tapered tail instructions exactly and add more detail or a motorized hinge for the jaw.

How can we extend or personalize our T-Rex after following the steps?

Attach the T-Rex to a baseplate with added scenery, use patterned or custom-colored bricks, add extra flat plates on the tail for balance, experiment with a rubber-band-powered hinge for the jaw, and then share a photo or story on DIY.org.

Watch videos on how to make a T-Rex with LEGO®

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🦖 How to Build the OFFICIAL LEGO® Mini T-Rex! (Easy Tutorial) 🦖

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Facts about LEGO building and dinosaur proportions

⚖️ Dinosaurs used their tails as counterbalances — a trick you can copy to help your LEGO T‑Rex stand.

🔩 Giving your model movable joints (articulation) makes it poseable and more lifelike when it roars or walks.

🦷 Some T. rex teeth were as big as bananas and were replaced throughout the animal's life.

🦖 T. rex could grow over 12 meters (about 40 feet) long — perfect inspiration for a big LEGO build!

🧱 The LEGO brick design was patented in 1958, and there are millions of LEGO pieces available to experiment with.

How do you build a roaring T‑Rex with LEGO®?

Start by planning proportions: large hips, short arms, long tail. Build a sturdy body using plates and bricks, add a hinge or Technic pin for a movable jaw and connect jaws with small plates. Use Technic pins or axle connectors for leg joints, test walking poses and shift tail or add counterweight until balance is steady. Fine-tune head/eye placement for realistic look. Encourage kids to test roar motion and iterate designs.

What materials do I need to make a LEGO® T‑Rex?

You’ll need a mix of LEGO bricks: plates and bricks in various sizes, hinge plates or Technic liftarms for jaws, Technic pins/axles for movable joints, long plates or bricks for tail and spine, bigger bricks for a stable hips/core, small round pieces or slopes for eyes and details, a baseplate (optional) and small counterweights like bricks. Scissors or tools aren't needed; use a brick separator if available.

What ages is building a LEGO® T‑Rex suitable for?

Suitable for children aged about 6 and up; younger kids (3–5) can join with adult help. Not recommended for children under 3 because of small-piece choking hazards. Ages 6–9 benefit from guided builds that develop fine motor skills, while 10+ can experiment with Technic parts, balance and more complex mechanisms. Always supervise younger builders and adjust complexity to the child’s experience.

What are the benefits of making a LEGO® T‑Rex?

Building a T‑Rex with LEGO boosts spatial reasoning, fine motor skills, problem-solving, and an early understanding of engineering and balance. Experimenting with movable jaws and legs teaches cause-and-effect and iterative design. The activity encourages creativity, patience and cooperative play when done in groups, and it builds confidence as children test and improve their models.
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Make a T-Rex with LEGO®. Activities for Kids.