How to Build a Domino Chain Reaction

Learn to set up dominoes that knock each other down in a satisfying chain reaction.

1. Choose your workspace. Find a flat, smooth surface like a dining table, hardwood floor, or large desk. Make sure you have at least 3 feet of space to work with. Clear away anything that might get in the way of falling dominoes.
2. Practice the spacing. Place two dominoes standing up, about one domino-width apart. Push the first one toward the second to see if it knocks the second one over. If the spacing is right, the first domino will hit the second one about halfway up. Too close and they'll both fall immediately; too far and the first won't reach the second.
3. Start your chain. Begin at one end of your workspace. Stand up your first domino, then place the second one at the right distance (about one domino-width away). Keep adding dominoes one by one, maintaining the same spacing. Go slowly and steady - rushing leads to accidental knockdowns.
4. Build around obstacles. If you want to go around a corner or curve, angle each domino slightly toward the next one. For curves, make the spacing a little closer on the inside of the curve. You can also create splits where one domino knocks down two branches of dominoes.
5. Test small sections. Every 10-15 dominoes, test a small section by gently pushing the first domino in that section. This way, if the spacing is wrong, you only have to fix a few dominoes instead of starting over completely.
6. Complete your chain. Keep adding dominoes until you run out of space or dominoes. Make sure the last few dominoes have good spacing too - you want the chain reaction to reach all the way to the end.
7. Launch your chain reaction. Go to the very first domino in your chain. Give it a gentle push with your finger - just enough to make it tip over toward the next domino. Then step back and watch your chain reaction unfold!