Covered Bridge: Mystery or Movie?
Step into the past—or the future. Make a model of an unusual type of bridge that’s inspired history, mystery, romance, and movies!
1. What do you know about covered bridges? They’re actually truss bridges with barns built over them. The names of their parts are fascinating: trusses, piers, approaches, decks, portals, and treads. Here are some detailed suggestions on how to build a replica. Or you can invent your own construction methods.
2. Build trusses. A truss is a triangular system of connected timbers that support the bridge’s weight. Cut sixteen timbers, 3/4-inch (2 cm) wide and 5-inch (12.7 cm) long strips of corrugated cardboard, with Crayola® Scissors.
3. Lay a clean, quart-size milk carton on its side on newspaper. Use Crayola School Glue to glue five cardboard strips vertically along each side of the carton.
4. Cut two timber strips in half vertically. Glue them to form right triangles between the roof and the siding of the covered bridge. Complete the trusses by gluing a cardboard strip along the top of each set of four triangles.
5. Create siding. Cut red construction paper to cover the milk carton. With Crayola Twistables, Washable Markers, and Gel Markers, draw thick, then thin, then overlapping vertical lines to create a wooden board effect. Glue paper to the bridge.
6. Erect a roof. Cut and fold a roof from corrugated cardboard. Glue it in place so that the trusses are visible between the roof and the sides of the bridge.
7. Make piers. Cut three large, corrugated cardboard, U-shaped supports for the bridge. For a stone-like effect, crumple light-colored construction paper. Flatten the paper. With the side of a gray marker, color lightly over the surface. Glue the stones on each pier. Glue the piers to the bridge.
8. Build a deck. Measure the size for your bridge deck and approaches. Cut them out of corrugated cardboard.
9. Cut black construction paper to cover the approaches. Tape blue, white, purple, and blue Gel Markers together so the tips are even. Press the tips over and over on the paper to create the look of macadam or stones. Glue to bridge approaches.
10. Cut two thin strips of brown construction paper for roadway treads. Glue them side-by-side on the deck inside your bridge.
11. Add water under the bridge. Draw blue and green wavy Twistables lines on construction paper. To make a shiny glaze, combine glue with an equal amount of water. Brush onto the paper. Air-dry the glaze.
12. Glue the "water" to cardboard. Place your covered bridge over the water. What mystery or movie scenes will take place inside your covered bridge?
Adult supervision is required for any arts & crafts project. Observe children closely and intervene as necessary to prevent potential safety problems and ensure appropriate use of arts and crafts materials. Some craft items, particularly beads and buttons, are potential choking hazards for young children. Avoid use of such small parts with children younger than 3 years. Craft items such as scissors, push pins and chenille sticks may have sharp points or edges. Avoid use of materials with sharp points by children younger than 4 years. Read all manufacturers' safety warnings before using arts and craft supplies.
Recycled Containers—Must be clean and safe. Do not use containers that contained bleach or other harmful chemicals (for example, household cleaners, dishwasher or laundry detergents). Do not use recycled metal cans that have sharp edges (for example, lids removed by household can openers).
Scissors—ATTENTION: The cutting edges of scissors are sharp and care should be taken whenever cutting or handling. Blunt-tip scissors should be used only by children 4 years and older. Pointed-tip scissors should be used only by children 6 years and older.
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