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We have seen a lot of marshmallow and toothpick building ideas online. It is such a fun activity that everyone adores. I decided to take it a step further and make it into a geometry lesson. Building geometric shapes with toothpicks and marshmallows is a blast. Kids really love this activity.
To help you out, and make things easier for you, I have an awesome set of printable marshmallow and toothpick geometry cards for you to download. Now you don’t have to re-invent the wheel.
This is such a fun STEM project for kids! If you are teaching a STEM class or a math class or anything that you need to keep kids learning and entertained, this is a good activity to try.
This set of cards has both 2 dimensional and 3 dimensional shapes to build. That way you can use them for younger kids and older kids. They show right on the cards how many toothpicks and marshmallows you will need to build the shape. Then there is a graphic to help you see what it will look like.
Kids and students just love these- the building and the eating part. These are great for a Math lesson or for STEM challenges. Hands-on learning is always our favorite way to teach educational concepts, and this one is a popular one.
The printable set comes with 10 2D cards and 12 3D cards.
The shapes included in the set are:
2-D shapes- square, rectangle, right triangle, isosceles triangle, rhombus, parallelogram, trapezoid, pentagon, hexagon, 6-point star
3-D shapes – tetrahedron 2 different ways, pyramid, cube, cuboid, pentagonal prism, triangular prism, hexagonal prism, pentagonal pyramid, truncated pyramid, octahedron, prism
Pictured are just a few of the shapes in the set.
These marshmallow and toothpick geometry cards are a great way to learn the names of geometric shapes and become familiar with what they look like. It is so fun for kids to learn with food, too!
Once they are done building the shapes on the cards, they can get creative and build anything they want. Try some more building challenges with the marshmallows and toothpicks. See who can build the tallest marshmallow tower. Build a house or a structure that is strong and can hold up weight.
Benefits of Building Things with Kids:
There are many hidden benefits to this fun activity. I love activities that teach in fun, sneaky ways. The kind that kids love and don’t realize it’s a lesson.
When kids build the shapes in this marshmallow and toothpick activity, they are learning problem-solving skills and some basic math skills in this activity, such as area, size, shape, etc. Kids are also practicing their hand-eye coordination when assembling the shapes. This focuses on both the math and engineering portion of STEM, bringing them together to help them learn those valuable skills.
Get your Marshmallow and Toothpick Geometry Cards TODAY!
Grab this printable in my shop– or add it to your cart now!
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Did you know you can get access to ALL of my printables on TPT if you prefer buying that way.
Check out my latest book: Math Art & Drawing Games for Kids
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Lana Meyers says
I have tried unsuccessfully to download the free activity. I keep getting a “sign Up here” popup. I have already signed up. I do not know what is going on, but it is frustrating to see a really great resource offered free, and not be able to use it. Is there any way to get past this, or get the resource? Thanks.
Karyn Tripp says
Sorry for the confusion! Once you have subscribed it is in the subscriber library. That link is in the email you received when you subscribed.
Trai says
Hi these cards look awesome. I am not in the US so if I purchase them, how will I receive them? Is a download able link sent?
Karyn Tripp says
Yes, it is a download link and it will be emailed to you after your purchase.
Marianne says
Just purchased it. Looking forward to the receiving the link!
Karyn Tripp says
They are in my shop here: https://teachbesideme.com/product/marshmallow-toothpick-geometry/
Laura says
Hi, I live in the UK and would love to use this resource with pupils tomorrow. Is there any way you could email this resource to me please?
Rebecca Jones says
I’m so happy I found these hopefully we will be back in schools soon
ARUN JOHN Ambrose says
Hi! I am from the UAE and I am looking to purchase this.
How many cards are available in this package?
And are all the above mentioned 2D shapes and 3D shapes included?
Mel says
I found the toothpick shape cards from a list that said FREE Printable Geometry cards from a Sarah Shelton at Homeschoolgiveaways. I clicked on the HERE space & instead of getting free printable of 2-D shape I am redirected to purchase the identical item from a Karyn at Teach Beside ME instead of the 2-D printable shape from Homeschool give aways. This does not make sense to be told something is free, however upon clicking the HERE I am sent to a completely different website & person who homeschools. This is false advertising.
Karyn Tripp says
I am not sure why the other website is advertising my products as free. Sorry for any confusion. They are not and have never been.