The Best Way to Build a Bridge Out of Popsicle Sticks
- 1). Draw your bridge design on paper with the length based on the distance it will span. The length of the bottom supports should extend at least one stick length beyond the span on both sides.
- 2). Count the number of sticks you will need for the entire bridge. When connecting two sticks, you will lay two sticks end to end and glue a third stick evenly across the top. From a side view, the top stick will rest with half of its length on each stick underneath it, similar to laying bricks.
- 3). Make two main bottom supports by gluing sticks together. Lay two sticks end to end and glue a third stick evenly across the top. Lay another stick end to end on the other side of the original stick and glue a third stick across the top. This process is similar to laying bricks. Repeat this process until you reach the desired length for each bottom support.
- 4). Make two top supports following the process outlined in the previous step. The top supports will be at least one stick length shorter than the bottom supports. Use clamps on sticks that are not staying in place to allow the glue to dry.
- 5). Let the glue for the supports dry fully. Check the connections between sticks and touch up areas that need it.
- 6). Lay a top support flat on the work area with a bottom support flat below it. Take a stick and glue it to the end of the top support and then glue the other end of the stick to the bottom support. From above, there will be a slant if you travel down from the top support to the bottom. Repeat this step on the opposite end of the supports with another stick.
- 7). Use additional sticks to connect the top support to the bottom, working from one side to the other. Each stick will form a triangle shape with the stick nearest it and the support.
- 8). Repeat the above two steps with the other two supports. Let the glue fully dry and then turn each piece over and glue additional support sticks to match the pattern previously created. The two spans should look almost identical.
- 9). After the glue has fully dried, stand each span up side by side on the bottom supports. Starting at one end, glue one end of a stick to the bottom support on the inside corner of the triangle on the right side. Attach the other end of the stick to the opposite support at an angle to the opposite corner of the triangle across from it.
- 10
Repeat the above step across the length of the bottom supports. Let the glue fully dry. Flip the bridge upside down and repeat the above step but start on the opposite corner. From above, you will be crossing these sticks with the previous sticks to form an "X." - 11
Measure the length between the top supports. Cut sticks to length and glue them across the top, leaving small spaces in between. Let the glue full dry and then touch up any connections that need it. After the glue is fully dry, test your bridge. Bridges built in this manner have held up to 100 pounds.
Source...