What can I use for kids to build mini-pyramids? I need something cheap enough so everyone can be involved. ?

Question

I want my students to build mini-pyramids, but I am struggling with what material is cheap enough for them to use? I have thought of sugar cubes, licorice allsorts and wheatbix, but im still not convinced any of those things are cheap!! Any ideas??

Answer 1

This may be too expensive but you could get the gum that comes in cubes (i think it comes about 10 pieces per box). However mini marshmollows sounds like a very good idea and it would be very cheep.  

Answer 2

Hmmm... tough question... I'm a teacher too... are you gluing them together or just stacking?  I'm assuming it's for a history lesson?  I think you're on the right track for ideas and thinking around the same lines.... I was thinking of maybe cheerios and starting with a base of 10x10 and then level 2 being 9x9 and beyond?  It would be a little rounded, but you could pretend erosion struck?!?  If you were somehow teaching structure building (physics) or stability... then I thought of an idea that really stinks... no really... quite literally... STINKS.  You could cut an onion in half and use the rings to build upwards.  I've never seen a round pyramid, but hey... just ideas to get the ball rolling.

Answer 3

mini marshmallows and toothpicks it's a plus for kids because then they can eat them

Answer 4

Why don't you just use A4 paper, tape, 2-way pins and a hole punch? Allow them to use a pencil and roll the paper longways, making it as tight as they can. To keep it in place, use some tape at the sides. Then take a hole punch and punch a hole in both ends. Make loads of these rolls of paper, doing the same for each, and when you have three, make a triangle out of them and keep these in place by putting a 2-way pin through two of the holes, so each pin will pass through two rolls of paper. Only attach two sides though, as the remaining will have to be used to attach another triangle to that. Start from the top, so you have a layer of only one roll to begin with, and then allow the pupils to continue until the pyramids are 3 or 4 roll of papers high.

This is asy and cheap to do, and doesn't take long. The pupils will hav to work in groups though, of about 4-5 each, and they should choose their own, as more will be done this way; it's an enjoyable exercise, and memorable. There can be a prize at the end, one for the largest pyramid and another for the best quality. The pupils will all enjoy this and more will be done as the atmosphere will be relaxed, but they'll g on with it, because its fun!

By 2-way pins, I mean pins with two flexible legs, which can open out and stay as you want them, just incase you didn't know. The school will supply all the things you need, and nothing will cost much at all, and it'll bring a smile to their faces, along with the competition of making their's the biggest, which will happen regardless of whether you offer a small prize.

It's simple too, and won't take much teaching for them to understand, or too long to correct if anybody goes wrong.

Good luck :)