A bridge is a structure that helps people, cars, and even trains cross over things like rivers, roads, or valleys. Bridges are built to be strong and stable, even when they hold up a lot of weight!

Bridges usually have three main parts: the deck, the supports, and the foundation. The deck is the flat part you walk or drive on. The supports are the columns or cables that hold the deck up. And the foundation is the part buried in the ground that keeps everything standing tall.

Different types of bridges use different shapes and materials to stay strong. A beam bridge is like a flat board across two supports. An arch bridge uses a curved shape to spread the weight. A suspension bridge hangs the road from strong cables to keep it from falling!

Bridges work by spreading forces like weight and pressure in smart ways. When something heavy is on the bridge, the force pushes down. The bridge pushes back up with support forces to keep everything balanced.

Engineers and builders use special designs to make sure bridges don’t bend or break. You can try building your own bridge with paper, LEGO bricks, or popsicle sticks—and test it out by adding weights or toy cars to see how much it can hold!