【Analysis】The answer is as shown in the figure, at least 5 times.
12. As shown in Figure 12-1, Xiao Ming goes from A to B, each time walking three squares in one direction, then turning 90 degrees and walking one more square, for example, in Figure 12-2, starting from point $\mathrm{C}$, he can reach eight positions. How many times at least does Xiao Ming need to walk to get from point $\mathrm{A}$ to point $\mathbf{B}$?