Marshmallow Construction

Please consider the age and ability of your child before starting this experiment.

Adult supervision maybe required.

Can you build a marshmallow tower that will support weight?

Children are naturally curious and creative. This fun science experiment is something children will actively be involved with and learn about how you can build a strong structure from objects (marshmallows and toothpicks) that may seem to be weak. How tall can you build your structure?

(This one is built using dry spaghetti, but toothpicks are stronger, if a little more pointy.)

What you will need:

20 toothpicks (to start)

10 large marshmallows (to start)

Various objects from very light to heavy (i.e. feather, block, book, etc.)

What to Do:

1. Using only 20 toothpicks and 10 marshmallows, build a free-standing structure that is as tall and as big as possible.

2. Try to have your structure support one of your objects. If it can support this object, try adding another object. How many objects can your structure support?

3. Now add another 20 toothpicks and 10 marshmallows to your structure. How many objects can it support now?

4. Keep adding toothpicks and marshmallows and see how many objects your structure can support.

How big can you make your structure?