Toothpick Towers
Build amazing structures using just toothpicks and marshmallows! This hands-on engineering activity teaches basic construction principles while developing fine motor skills and spatial reasoning.
Materials Needed
* Required materials
Setup
- 1Lay out paper plates as work surfaces
- 2Pour marshmallows into small bowls
- 3Give each child a handful of toothpicks
- 4Clear a stable work area
My Notes
Instructions
- 1
Start by connecting two marshmallows with a toothpick to make the basic building unit.
- 2
Show how to create triangles and squares - the strongest shapes for building.
- 3
Encourage children to build tall towers, wide bridges, or creative sculptures.
- 4
Challenge them to make their structure as tall as possible or strong enough to hold a small object.
- 5
Let children experiment freely with different shapes and connections.
- 6
Take photos of completed structures before cleanup!
Skills Developed
Safety Notes
Supervise toothpick use - pointed ends can be sharp
Don't allow eating marshmallows during the activity if they've been handled
Clean up any dropped pieces immediately to prevent slipping
Accessibility & Adaptations
Use larger marshmallows for children with fine motor challenges
Provide alternative connectors like straws for those who can't use toothpicks safely