Building toothpick bridges can be a challenging but rewarding endeavor. Each project is an exercise in patience and determination that should never be taken lightly. If you're thinking of building a toothpick bridge for the first time, there are some things you need to know before you proceed.

One of the tips to build toothpick bridges is to have good materials. Obviously you will need toothpicks, and they have to be good, flat toothpicks to ensure your bridge is strong. To test the strength of a toothpick, roll it between your thumb and forefingers while applying pressure. Any toothpick that bends or breaks easily should be dismissed from your equations.

Once you have your basic materials (good toothpicks, strong glue) sorted out, a good plan is essential for the successful completion of the construction of your toothpick bridge. Draw a diagram of the final result you want. If you're using a picture of an actual bridge, now is the time to render it into a schematic diagram. Naturally, the diagram should be scaled with the final result in mind. Doing so ensures that you have something to refer to and won't be working blindly.

When you build toothpick bridges, patience and perseverance are the keys to building a durable structure. You can work slowly, but make sure you do it consistently. Don't put off construction too long if you have a deadline because the glue needs to dry completely. You can't rush the gluing process either; it's best to allow the thin layer of glue to get a little tacky first before attaching the next toothpick. Don't be afraid to try different ideas in the course of construction either. However, don't waste time on concepts that obviously will not work.

Building toothpick bridges may seem hard to get into at first, but can prove addictive once you've learnt the basics.