Activity Overview
Get your child engineers ready for a sweet and fun engineering project using marshmallows and straws. Builders of all ages can build amazing structures with these two easily accessible materials. As the build, they will also be exploring the delicate science of engineering.
While this quiet time activity can also be used with toothpicks and mini marshmallows, I am partial to using straws and jumbo marshmallows because it appeals to a wider age group. Work alone, or great for a kids playdate or in a family group and have fun creating challenges such as building the tallest structure or the wildest creation. Once completed, they can easily disassemble the structure and build again and again.
Materials Needed
- Jumbo Marshmallows
- Drinking Straws
- Scissors
How to Do It
- Cut the drinking straws in various lengths making slanted cuts so that they will poke the marshmallows more easily.
- Arrange the variety of cut drinking straws and marshmallows on the table.
- Begin by creating a base for your structure by attaching the straws to the marshmallows.
- The goal is to create a balanced and sturdy structure which may take some engineering minded thinking and trial and error.
- Build freely or create challenges.
- Disassemble and try your hand at another building structure.
