\newcount\list \list=0
\def\item{\advance\list by 1\relax\pre{\the\list.}}

{\obeylines
\item 32x32 container
\item Cardboard barriers to reduce the 32x33 container to a 24x24, 16x16, and 8x7 space
\item 4 bags of quartz sand (200 pounds of sand)
\item 40 antlions
\item 41 circular containers, roughly 6 inches in diameter
\item Meter stick
\item 40 toothpicks
\item Tape
\item Ruler
\item 160 ants
\item Small plastic cup at about 2 inches in diameter
\item Sharpie
\item Sieve
}