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Build a bridge or tower using uncooked spaghetti and marshmallows, testing strength and learning simple engineering principles through hands on construction and experiments.

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Step-by-step guide to build a bridge or tower with uncooked spaghetti and marshmallows

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What you need
Adult supervision required, marshmallows, paper and pencil, ruler or measuring tape, small coins or small objects to use as weights, uncooked spaghetti

Step 1

Gather your materials and sit at a flat workspace.

Step 2

Pick whether you will build a bridge or a tower.

Step 3

Draw a simple sketch of your idea on the paper.

Step 4

Break spaghetti into the lengths you think you will need for your sketch.

Step 5

Connect spaghetti pieces using marshmallows to make a strong base.

Step 6

Add more spaghetti and marshmallows to build up for a tower or span a gap for a bridge.

Step 7

Add diagonal supports where the structure wobbles to make it stronger.

Step 8

Measure the height or span of your finished structure with the ruler.

Step 9

Test the strength by placing one coin at the center or top and then adding one coin at a time until it collapses.

Step 10

Write down how many coins it held and one idea to improve your design on the paper.

Step 11

Share your finished creation on DIY.org

Final steps

You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!

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Help!?

What can we use instead of marshmallows or dry spaghetti if they are hard to find?

If marshmallows or dry spaghetti are hard to find, use small pieces of modeling clay or gumdrops to 'Connect spaghetti pieces using marshmallows' and uncooked linguine or toothpicks to 'Break spaghetti' into the lengths you need.

My bridge/tower keeps wobbling or collapses when I add coins—what should I try?

If your structure wobbles or collapses during the coin test, strengthen the 'strong base' by adding more spaghetti and marshmallows, widen the base footprint, and place additional diagonal supports where the instructions say 'Add diagonal supports'.

How can I adapt the activity for different age groups?

For ages 4–6, simplify by drawing a very basic sketch, using whole marshmallows and short spaghetti for a low tower; for ages 7–10 follow all steps including 'Measure the height or span of your finished structure with the ruler' and counting coins during the test; for 11+ increase the bridge span challenge and optimize diagonal supports to hold more coins.

How can we extend or personalize the bridge/tower activity after finishing it?

To extend and personalize the project, decorate and label your sketch, keep a chart on the paper of how many coins each design held and the 'one idea to improve your design', compare connector materials like marshmallows versus clay, and share photos and results on DIY.org.

Watch videos on how to build a bridge or tower with uncooked spaghetti and marshmallows

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Facts about structural engineering for kids

🧪 Engineers use destructive testing — adding weight until a model breaks — to learn how to make stronger designs.

🍬 Marshmallows were originally made from the marshmallow plant and are now mostly sugar and air, making them great soft connectors.

🌉 The Danyang–Kunshan Grand Bridge in China is the world's longest bridge at about 164.8 km, showing how huge real bridges can be!

🏗️ Triangles are a super-strong shape in engineering, which is why trusses use triangle patterns to keep bridges and towers stiff.

🍝 Uncooked spaghetti is rigid but brittle — when bundled it becomes much stronger for building models.

How do I build a bridge or tower using uncooked spaghetti and marshmallows?

To build a bridge or tower, start by sketching a simple design, then use marshmallows to join spaghetti struts. Create a wide, stable base and favor triangular shapes for strength. Assemble frames on a flat surface, connect multiple layers, and add cross-bracing. Test strength by gradually placing small weights (coins, toy cars) and reinforce weak spots. Encourage kids to modify the design and retest to learn about load, balance, and failure. Supervise to avoid choking on marshmallows.

What materials do I need to make a spaghetti and marshmallow bridge or tower?

You'll need uncooked spaghetti (extra for breakage), soft or mini marshmallows, a flat work surface, and a ruler or tape measure. Optional extras: masking tape, string, scissors, paper and pencil for planning, small weights (coins, washers, toy cars) for testing, and a tray to contain pieces. Use adult scissors and supervise younger children. Avoid using cooked spaghetti or very hard candies that could be a choking hazard.

What ages is spaghetti and marshmallow building suitable for?

This activity suits kids aged about 5 and up. Preschoolers (5–6) can practice basic stacking and simple joins with big marshmallows and supervision. Elementary children (7–11) can plan, measure, and test designs more independently. Teens will enjoy engineering challenges like maximizing span or load. Always supervise young children for choking risks and help with cutting or testing heavier weights. Adapt complexity to the child's fine motor skills and attention span.

What are the benefits, safety tips, and variations for this activity?

Benefits include hands-on learning of engineering, problem-solving, geometry, fine motor skills, and teamwork. Safety tips: supervise to prevent marshmallow choking, avoid running with pieces, and use scissors only with adult help. For variations, try using different candies, uncooked bucatini for thicker strands, add tape joints, or challenge kids to build the tallest tower or lightest bridge that holds a set weight. Record results to encourage scientific thinking.
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