Building with Marshmallows
Using marshmallows to explore building skills
Instructions
- Gather around 20 marshmallows (large, regular, and miniature) and 20 toothpicks
- Share together how you can build a structure
- Experiment with making shapes and putting together to make a “building”
- If possible look at the “beams” in a real building and share that the toothpicks are like the beams that help to hold a building together
Simplify
Use large marshmallows and plastic/wooden skewers for easier handling.
Chat about being a construction worker and the types of jobs the worker would do.
Click here for a template of shapes for a child to build
Extend
Challenge a child to make different structures.
For example, can you make a shape with the marshmallows? can you make a building? can you make a letter of the alphabet? can you make a tall structure? can you create a long structure? etc.
QUESTIONS FOR CHILD
If you could be a building, what type of building would you like to be and why?
What can you do to help build a strong body?
Materials
- 20 marshmallows (large, regular and small); can use grapes or jellybeans
- 20 or more toothpicks
Share This Activity
Curriculum Plan Resources
Skills Focus
- Shape - Heart
- Color - Review
- Number - Six, 6
- Alphabet Letters - H, P
- Senses - Hearing
- Character Trait - Honesty
- Target Words - Good-by, Many, Match, Why
Monthly Proverb
If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.
Did You Know?
"Children with below average language skills can make rapid improvements if their parents take simple steps to change the way they interact with them." University of Sydney
Books to Read
"Museum ABC"
by Metropolitan Museum of Art (Activity 11)
"My Very First Book of Shapes"
by Eric Carle (Activity 2)
"Big Red Barn"
by Margaret Wise Brown (Activity 8)
"My Very First Book of Shapes" VIDEO
by Eric Carle (Activity 2)
"Big Red Barn" VIDEO
by Margaret Wise Brown (Activity 8)
"Museum ABC" VIDEO
by Metropolitan Museum of Art (Activity 11)
Music Playlist
"Old MacDonald Had a Farm"
by Countdown Kids Album 100 All Time Children’s Favorites (Activity 10)
"SalveRegina - Antiphona (tonus monasticus) in Honorem Beatae Mariae Virginias"
Album Salve Regina Gregorian Chant by Benedictine Monks of the Abby of Saint-Maurice & Saint-Maur, Clervaux (Activity 21)
"You’ll Be In My Heart"
by Phil Collins Album Tarzan (Movie Soundtrack) (Activity 18)
"Old MacDonald Had a Farm" VIDEO
by Countdown Kids 100 Silly Songs (Activity 10)
'SalveRegina - Antiphona (tonus monasticus) in Honorem Beatae Mariae Virginias" VIDEO
by Benedictine Monks of the Abby of Saint-Maurice and Saint -Maur, Clervaux (Activity 21)
"You'll Be In My Heart" VIDEO
by Phil Collins Tarzan Movie Soundtrack (Activity 18)
Monthly Materials List
Click Here to view the list!
Fingerplay / Poems / Songs
Up Down Turn Around
(Activity 14 Month 8)
Up, down
Turn around.
Touch the sky,
And touch the ground.
Wiggle fingers
Wiggle toes
Wiggle shoulders
And say "hello"
Up, down
Turn around
Touch the sky,
And touch the ground.
Pat your belly
Blink your eyes,
Blow a kiss,
And say “good-bye “
I Need To Be Honest
(Activity 13 Month 8)
I need to be honest
My mom and dad say
And telling the truth
Is just one way!
Why be honest
I ask mom and dad.
You will feel your best
When the truth is always said.