Build a Bridge for the Goats to Pass Task Box

This free build a bridge for the goats to pass task box is the perfect addition to your 3 Billy Goats Gruff activities. In this blog post I’m sharing instructions for how you can use this task box as well as where you can download it for free too.

If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably read The Three Billy Goats Gruff more times than you can count. And let’s be honest, there’s just something about those goats outsmarting a grumpy old troll that never gets old for students. It’s dramatic and silly, and repetitive in the best way. And now… it’s also interactive!

I created this 3 Billy Goats Gruff-inspired bridge-building task box to bring the story to life in a whole new way. Think STEM meets storytelling – with blocks, goats, and a whole lot of creative thinking.

And the best part? You can grab it free. Read on below to find out more.

This blog post may contain affiliate links. This means that if you purchase an item through my affiliate link, I may receive a % of commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support me, my family and my blog to bring you great content for free!

What Is the Task Box?

The challenge is simple and super engaging: Can you build a bridge for the goats to pass?

That’s it.. Students are given visual challenge cards that show different bridge designs made out of Duplo-style blocks. They then use real blocks to try to match the model or create their own design.

You can use the cards in loads of ways, structured independent work, turn-taking games, partner STEM stations, morning tubs, or whole-group build-alongs. (We even act out the troll voices while the goats cross. It’s a full-on performance sometimes.)

What Skills Does It Work On?

This activity looks like fun (and it is), but secretly it’s a powerhouse of skill development, especially for neurodivergent learners or those with fine motor delays.

Here’s what students are working on while they play:

Fine motor skills – snapping blocks together takes precision and coordination
Visual perception – matching color and size from the challenge cards
Spatial awareness – planning how the pieces fit to make a bridge
Problem-solving – figuring out how to balance the structure
Turn-taking and social play – when used in small groups
Story retelling – bringing the Billy Goats Gruff to life through physical play
STEM foundations – basic engineering and design concepts through hands-on exploration

And for my students who really thrive on structure? The visual format of the cards gives clear expectations and visual boundaries to support their engagement and success.

What’s Included in the Free Task Box Download?

When you download the resource, you’ll get:

24 bridge-building visual challenge cards
A variety of bridge designs using blocks you already have (or similar Duplo bricks)
Printable river for your students to use to build their bridge on top of.
Extra fun challenge cards to increase difficulty or add extra fun.

A task box label and cover for easy storage and setup.

Everything is designed to print and laminate, pop into a box or drawer, and be ready to grab whenever you need an engaging, low-prep activity.

How I Use This in My Classroom

This activity slots perfectly into so many parts of our day. I use it as:

A STEM station during our fairy tale theme week
A morning work bin when students arrive
A calm-down or sensory-friendly task (there’s something so regulating about clicking blocks together!)
A reward activity after finishing a task
A social turn-taking game with two students alternating block placement
A retell center where we act out the story using the blocks and toy goats

It’s also an absolute lifesaver when I need 10 minutes to finish an IEP note or reset the room energy mid-morning. My students are engaged, quiet, focused, and learning, without needing my constant instruction. Win-win!

What It Looks Like in Action

Here’s a peek at it in use – trolls, goats, blocks, and all. Your students can recreate the exact bridges from the task cards or let their imagination run wild. As long as the goats can cross, it counts!

You can add plastic goat figures, print your own characters, or even let students draw their own trolls. Some of mine LOVE adding sound effects when the troll shouts, “Who’s that trip-trapping over my bridge?!”

Want the Task Box? Grab It Free!

This task box is completely free when you sign up for my email list. I send out weekly emails with hands-on SPED ideas, freebies, printables, tips, and classroom stories to brighten your inbox.

You’ll get instant access to the 3 Billy Goats Gruff Task Box download as a thank you!

👉 Click here to sign up and get your free task box

(P.S. No spam, pinky promise. Just fun and functional teaching ideas you’ll actually use.)

Perfect For:

Special education classrooms
PreK–2nd grade settings
Story-based STEM units
Early years play-based learning
Morning bins and fast-finisher tubs
Homeschool and play therapy
Speech therapy (especially when working on story structure or sequencing!)

Ready to Get Building?

Whether you’re teaching story elements, working on block play skills, or just looking for a fun new hands-on activity, this task box is such a hit with students. You’ll love how easy it is to prep, and they’ll love how much creativity and ownership they get with every build.

Plus, who doesn’t love an excuse to make a goat walk over a bridge dramatically?

Let me know how it goes in your classroom and tag me @teachingautism if you share it on Instagram. I LOVE seeing your setups and classroom twists on the challenge!

Shopping List

Here are the extras that I use to go along with this task box;

My Autism Classroom Favorites

Click below to find my Amazon classroom favorites;

*Affiliate Disclosure: These links contain affiliate links. This means I may earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you—if you click through and make a purchase. I only recommend resources I genuinely love and think you’ll find helpful!