How to make paper blocks

Make your own paper construction blocks and then test out their structural properties. This is a great learning activity that will illustrate the simplest principles of construction.

What you need:

You will need:

• 3 x A4 sheets of coloured construction paper
• sticky tape
• scissors or a craft knife
• metal cutting ruler (optional)
• lead pencil

Number of players:

Activity:

Mark up each A4 page at 3cm intervals along the longest edge.

Then, along the shortest edge, mark the paper at halfway, which should be 10.5cm.

You will now have a grid of strips marked up, each one 3cm x 10.5cm.

Use scissors or a craft knife to cut them out.

To make each block, mark the strip at 3.5cm along its length.  Fold on that line. Then you should have a flap, 3.5cm left over. Fold that over so that you have essentially folded the strip into three equal sections of 3.5cm each.

Bring the two side edges up to meet in the middle so that you form an equilateral triangle. Tape that in place.

You now have one block.

Keep going until you have lots of coloured blocks to work with.

When you have your blocks ready, start constructing with them.

It's interesting to work out what is the best way to configure the blocks to form the strongest structures.

Test out their load-bearing properties by placing objects along the top.

Can you make the structure stronger? How?

• Thanks to our sister company Kidspot Australia for creating the instructional video.