Find an Engineering Solution
Design and build a simple bridge from craft sticks, string, and glue to hold small weights. Test and improve your engineering solution.
Step-by-step guide to design and build a simple bridge from craft sticks, string, and glue
Step 1
Gather all the materials and bring them to a clear workspace.
Step 2
Draw a simple bridge picture showing where the deck supports and string will go.
Step 3
Make two support towers by stacking four craft sticks for the left side and four craft sticks for the right side.
Step 4
Put glue between the sticks in each stack to stick the support towers together.
Step 5
Wait about 10 minutes for the glued support towers to set.
Step 6
Lay six to eight craft sticks side by side to form the bridge deck shape.
Step 7
Put glue between the deck sticks to join them into one flat deck piece.
Step 8
Wait about 10 minutes for the glued deck to set.
Step 9
Glue each support tower to the underside ends of the deck where you drew them.
Step 10
Tie a piece of string between the tops of the two supports and knot it securely.
Step 11
Let the whole bridge dry completely for at least 30 minutes.
Step 12
Test the bridge by placing one small weight at the center of the deck and watching what happens.
Step 13
If the deck bends, glue one extra craft stick lengthwise under the center of the deck to reinforce it.
Step 14
Re-test by adding small weights one at a time until the bridge holds enough or shows where it needs more strength.
Step 15
Share your finished bridge and what you learned on DIY.org.
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
What can we use if we don't have craft sticks or string?
If you don't have craft sticks, use sturdy cardboard or rolled-up paper tubes for the support towers and deck, and substitute yarn or fishing line for the string to tie between the support tops.
My support towers or deck keep coming apart — how can I fix them while following the glue and drying steps?
If the towers or deck come apart during steps 4–8, add more glue between the craft sticks, press firmly and hold the stacks with clothespins or lightweight clamps while waiting the 10-minute set time.
How can I change the activity for younger kids or make it more challenging for older kids?
For younger children, have an adult pre-stack and glue the four-stick support towers and help knot the string and test weights, while older kids can design longer spans, vary the number of deck sticks, and record how much weight the bridge holds during testing.
How can we improve or personalize our bridge after the basic build and the suggested reinforcement?
To enhance the bridge, paint and decorate the deck, add glue-backed triangular trusses from extra craft sticks along the sides, and reinforce the center by gluing an extra stick lengthwise under the deck as in step 12 before re-testing weights.
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Facts about bridge engineering for kids
🪵 Popsicle and craft sticks are usually made from birch wood and get much stronger when glued into bundles or trusses.
🌉 The Akashi Kaikyō Bridge in Japan has the longest central span of any suspension bridge (about 1,991 meters).
🏗️ The earliest bridges were simple fallen trees or stone piles — people have been making bridges for thousands of years.
🔺 Triangles are the secret of many strong bridge designs — a triangle won't change shape unless its sides bend or break.
🧪 Wood glue often creates stronger stick-to-stick bonds than ordinary school glue because it soaks into the wood fibers.
How do I design and build a simple craft-stick bridge that holds small weights?
What materials do I need to build a craft-stick bridge?
What ages is this craft-stick bridge activity suitable for?
What are the benefits of building and testing a craft-stick bridge?
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