Quick answer
Build a Tegu tugboat by making a triangular hull with two triangular prisms, adding a cabin from the remaining shapes, and capping it with a parallelogram smokestack. The Tugboat Travel Pals set gives you exactly six pieces, so you can complete the build in about two minutes and rebuild it anywhere.
What you need before you start
The Travel Pals Tugboat set includes six blocks in two shapes: four triangular prisms and two parallelograms. That is enough for a simple hull, a small cabin, and a smokestack. If you have other Tegu blocks nearby, you can add a longer deck or a second cabin, but the core build works with just the six pieces in the pouch.
Work on a flat, non-metal surface such as a restaurant table, a tray, or a book. Magnetic blocks pull toward each other, so a level start keeps the hull from sliding apart before you add the cabin.
How the shapes work together
Triangular prisms are the workhorses here. Their angled faces let you create a pointed bow and a sloped stern without extra pieces. Parallelograms act as flat decks or angled panels, which makes them useful for a smokestack or a wheelhouse roof. Because every Tegu block is compatible with all other Tegu Magnetic Wooden Blocks, you can swap in pieces from other sets if you want a wider boat.
One common mistake is trying to force a cube-shaped cabin from triangular prisms alone. If the cabin looks lopsided, rotate one prism so its flat side faces the deck. The magnets will click into a cleaner alignment.
Tugboat build steps
- Lay the keel: Place two triangular prisms flat on the table with their long edges facing each other and a small gap between them. This gap is where the hull will connect. Checkpoint: the two prisms should sit level and parallel. If one rocks, move to a flatter surface.
- Close the bow: Slide the two prisms together until the magnets pull them into a V shape. The pointed end becomes the front of the tugboat. Common mistake: pushing too hard can make the prisms jump sideways. Let the magnets do the work and guide them gently.
- Add the stern: Attach a third triangular prism to the back of the V, flat side down, to extend the hull. This gives the boat a longer waterline. Checkpoint: the hull should sit flat without tipping forward. If it tips, rotate the stern prism so its flat face rests on the table.
- Build the cabin: Stack the fourth triangular prism on top of the hull, centered over the middle. Its angled sides create a simple wheelhouse shape. Common mistake: placing the cabin too far forward makes the tugboat nose-heavy. Center it over the widest part of the hull.
- Add the smokestack: Stand one parallelogram upright on top of the cabin, using the magnet to hold it in place. Angle it slightly back for a classic tugboat look. Checkpoint: the smokestack should stay upright when you tap the table gently. If it falls, rotate it 180 degrees to find a stronger magnetic contact.
- Finish the deck: Lay the second parallelogram flat across the front of the hull as a foredeck. This covers the gap between the bow prisms and gives the boat a finished profile. Next step: try swapping the smokestack and deck pieces to make a different boat, or add blocks from other Tegu sets to build a longer barge.
Travel Pals facts that matter for this build
- Travel Pals - Tugboat Magnetic Wooden Blocks 6 pieces: Travel Pals - Tugboat Magnetic Wooden Blocks 6 pieces includes 6 blocks in 2 shapes: 4 triangular prisms and 2 parallelograms. The shape count tells you exactly what is possible: a pointed hull from prisms and flat panels from parallelograms, with no leftover pieces.
- Travel Pals - Tugboat Magnetic Wooden Blocks 6 pieces: Travel Pals are made for travel, in the car, on the plane, and in the restaurant. Easy to pick up and take anywhere. You can build and rebuild the tugboat in small spaces, which makes it a practical quiet activity during waits.
- Travel Pals - Tugboat Magnetic Wooden Blocks 6 pieces: Fully compatible with all other Tegu Magnetic Wooden Blocks. If you already own other Tegu sets, you can expand the tugboat into a barge or add a taller cabin without buying a new kit.
