In this activity, you and your child will work together to build a bridge using household items that are strong enough to hold up a toy animal.
Learning Area(s): Language and Communication; Science
MATERIALS
- paper and blue crayon or marker (or blue paper)
- plastic animals
- bridge materials, such as blocks, popsicle sticks, straws, or other small, sturdy household items
- optional: tape
LET'S PLAY
First talk to your child about bridges: “Tell me what you know about bridges.” You might ask some of these questions:
- What do bridges look like?
- What are bridges used for?
- What are bridges usually made of?
Show your child some plastic animals and a piece of paper that you will pretend is a river. Have her color the paper blue to look like a river. Then tell your child: “Let’s pretend this paper is a big, deep river. It’s too wide for the animals to cross. Let’s see if we can build a bridge strong enough to hold the animals so that they can walk across.”
Next, walk around your home looking for materials to build your bridge. Ask your child: “What kind of materials can we find in our house to make a bridge? What should we use to make our bridge strong?” Listen to her ideas and collect the materials your child suggests. If your child doesn’t know what to use, help her by adding some suggestions of your own (e.g., “Maybe we should try blocks, popsicle sticks, and straws. What do you think?”)
Once you have gathered your materials, work together with your child to build your bridge. Follow your child’s lead on which materials to try first and where to put them on your bridge. Remind your child that a bridge needs to be above the water. As you’re building, ask your child questions, such as:
- “Where should we put that piece?”
- “How many blocks/popsicle sticks/straws does the bridge have now?”
- “Do you think the bridge is sturdy enough to hold our animals?”
- “What do you think we could do to make the bridge stronger?”
If the bridge falls over, it’s okay! Try different combinations of materials until you have created a bridge sturdy enough for the animal to cross. You might use tape to secure your bridge materials together and make it sturdier.
TIPS
- Use a small/lightweight plastic animal at first. After you are successful, suggest using a larger/heavier one.
- Allow your child to make as many of the building decisions as he or she wants, even if you don’t think they will work. Remember that you can always try again if the bridge falls down.
- Using tape requires strong fine motor skills. Make sure to help your child break off and attach the tape if needed.
- To make this activity more or less challenging, you can change the width of your river.
- To build interest, read a book about bridges.
- A Book of Bridges: Here to There and Me to You by Cheryl Keely
- Building Bridges by Tammy Enz
- Bridges Are to Cross by Philomen Sturges