Toothpick Structures

Students are to use toothpicks to create a house or building of their choosing. It might be fun to make a castle or pioneer fort with a cabin.

The teacher demonstrates how to use minimal amount of glue to adhere toothpicks to each other. Students might want to make a row of toothpicks on a paper towel and let it dry to form a wall. Then the next day they can use those walls on their castle or house or tropical hut.

This is a multi-day project so students should keep adding to their project as time permits. Add another roof or gable to their house. Add another turret to the castle, make a garage for the family car, etc.

Be sure to include details like window frames, doors, railings, chimneys, or anything else you can think of. Some examples are shown below.


Evaluation:
1 point-- Freestanding
2 points -- no larger than 9 inches in one dimension
3 points -- Quality/Workmanship
4 points -- Details included.
10 points total


Structures above clockwise from top: Jenny G., Addy D. and Emma W


Tent above by Callie B.