Stack Attack · Connected Through Play

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Stack Attack

I was thinking about you again with this one. This is one of my favorite low cost/no cost building activities. Who else is going to try this? I'd love to see the results! And, if you would like a build twist or ideas to adjust the activity by the ages of the kids in your life, visit the Classroom - Build Lab or go direct to today's activity #Stack Attack

A sponge, a box, and a cardboard tube do not stack the same way. Mix materials with different shapes, weights, and textures to discover which arrangements can rise high and stay standing.

Gather Your Gear

Choose safe, unbreakable objects from at least three groups:

Small boxes or empty food containers
Plastic cups, bowls, or lids
Blocks
Cardboard tubes
Sponges
Folded washcloths or fabric scraps
Index cards or pieces of cardboard
Lightweight books or notebooks
Ruler or measuring tape
Paper and pencil, or a camera

Choose objects that can fall without causing injury or damage. Build on the floor or a low, sturdy surface. Do not use glass, sharp objects, or heavy items.

Steps

Choose your stacking materials. Collect 8–12 objects with different sizes, shapes, weights, and textures.
Investigate the objects. Pick up and examine each one. Look for:

Flat or curved surfaces
Wide or narrow sides
Smooth or grippy textures
Firm or soft materials
Heavy or lightweight objects

Select your first stack. Choose at least six objects, including three different kinds of materials.
Plan the order. Arrange the objects beside one another from bottom to top. Predict which pieces will support the stack and which might make it unstable.
Build your first stack. Add one object at a time without using tape or fasteners. Pause after each piece to notice whether the stack leans, slides, compresses, or twists.
Take your hands away. The stack must remain standing independently for at least five seconds. Measure its height or count how many objects it holds.
Study what happened. Consider:

Where did the first movement begin?
Did an object slide, roll, bend, or tilt?
Were the pieces centered?
Which surfaces stayed together most successfully?
Where were the heaviest objects placed?

Rebuild with the same objects. Change their order or turn one object onto a different side. Keep the collection of objects the same so you can compare the arrangements.
Compare the two stacks. Decide which arrangement was taller, steadier, or easier to build. Explain what made the difference.
Launch the Stack Attack. Use what you discovered to build your tallest freestanding stack with at least three different kinds of materials. It must stand for ten seconds without being held.

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Stack Attack