Finding ways to get kids engaged doesn’t have to be hard! Remember the Stacking Cup Challenge? This is the equivalent but with Popsicle sticks. We call it the “Popsicle Stick Bridge Building Challenge”. This is a great STEM (Science Technology Engineering Math) activity for students in the classroom or kids at home.
Popsicle Stick Bridge Challenge
The Bridge Building Challenge:
Construct a bridge from Popsicle sticks that spans at least 12 inches and holds the weight of one action figure (or whatever small toy or object you have in your home) or more.
Popsicle Stick Bridge Supplies:
- Glue Gun – Craft glue would work as well, but we wanted fast drying.
- 40 to 50 Popsicle sticks or craft sticks.
- A ruler.
- A cookie sheet or Parchment Paper – To keep the bridge from sticking to other surfaces while it is drying.
If this is the first time your child will be using a glue gun, check out my post >>> Glue Gun Tips for Kids
How to Make A Popsicle Stick Bridge:
STEP 1: Make Predictions
Predict what will happen if the Popsicle bridge cannot handle the weight.
STEP 2: Test It Out
Construct a bridge from the supplies above and then test the bridge.
Note: There are many different Popsicle Stick Bridge designs to create. We leave it up to the imagination of the child!
Once dry, place the bridge between two chairs that are about 10 inches apart.
You can either test with one item and see if the bridge can hold it OR continue to stack items (books, cards, LEGO, blocks) until the bridge breaks.
What happened with our Popsicle Stick Bridges?
We didn’t want our bridges to break, so we slowly added heavier items.
Surprisingly, the Popsicle stick bridges were very sturdy!
The picture above shows how many books we piled on top of one of the bridges.
It was fun to see how two children went at the task completely different from one another and both bridges still worked!
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Kristen @ Busy Kids Happy Mom
I am LOVING this idea. Its only 6:30 in the morning, and my kid has already asked “What are we doing today Mom?” Its the weekend and I was like, “Um, taking a nap?” Umph….. Anyway, this absolutely perfect and its on our to do list…today. Can’t wait!
Thanks so much for linking up!
Darci the STEM Mom
This comes at a perfect time! I bought a million different sized popsicle sticks, skewers and mini sticks for flower projects I had- but discovered I liked thin wire and green sticks better. I was just thinking of what I could do with all these crazy shaped/lengthed sticks!!!!