How Was That Built?: questions to ask and activities to try
How do you build a bridge, a skyscraper, or a base on the moon? How Was That Built? tells the stories behind amazing structures.
What age is it for? How Was That Built? is best for ages 7–11. Good for: The stories behind amazing structures.
How Was That Built? (Roma Agrawal, Katie Hickey and Sally Beets)
- Age
- 7-11
- Best for
- The stories behind amazing structures
Read about one structure at a time. Then build a model together.
What it helps with
- Engineering
- How structures stand up
- Problem solving
- Women in engineering
Comprehension and discussion questions
Pick two or three, not all of them. “I don’t know” is a fine answer, and you can always come back to it another day.
- “Which structure did we read about?”
- “What problem did the engineers solve?”
- “What materials did they use?”
- “Which is tallest?”
- “What would you build?”
- “How does a bridge stay up?”
5-minute activities to try together
Spaghetti tower
Build the tallest tower you can with spaghetti and marshmallows.
Bridge test
Build a paper bridge and test it with coins.
Free printables: How Was That Built? worksheet and activity pack
This book’s one-page worksheet with the questions and activities above, plus our activity pack: printable scenario cards, three 5-minute activities and a “What could I try?” page for practising everyday skills together. Enter your email and download them straight away.
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If your child liked this, try
Building a Home (Polly Faber and Klas Fahlén)
- Best for
- Diggers, builders and how a home gets made
- Age
- 3-6
An Engineer Like Me (Shini Somara and Nadja Sarell)
- Best for
- Curiosity, engineering and inventing things
- Age
- 5-8
Marvellous Machines (Jane Wilsher and Andrés Lozano)
- Best for
- Looking inside incredible machines
- Age
- 7-10
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By the Growing Wise team · Last reviewed: 10 October 2026
Growing Wise offers educational ideas for parents and carers. It is not a substitute for professional medical, developmental or mental-health advice. As an Amazon Associate, Growing Wise earns from qualifying purchases.