Game · Craft · Talking
Paper tower challenge
Build the tallest tower you can from paper, first on your own and then as a team, and talk about what changed.
- 30 minutes
- Small group, Whole class
- Ages 7–9, Ages 9–12, Ages 12+
- Classroom or at home
- Printable: drawing frame
What to do
- Read the saying and its meaning aloud. Do not explain it yet.
- Round one: everyone builds their own tower from five sheets of paper and a short piece of tape. Give them four minutes.
- Measure each tower and write the heights on the board.
- Round two: put people in groups of three or four. Each group pools the same paper and tape per person as before. Give them six minutes.
- Measure again and compare the heights from both rounds.
- Ask the group what the saying might mean now. Then read the meaning again.
Questions to talk about
- Which round was easier? Why?
- Did anyone in your group have an idea you would not have had alone?
- Was there anything harder about working together?
- Can you think of something at home or in school that only works when people pull together?
You will need
- 10 sheets of scrap paper per person
- Sticky tape
- A ruler or tape measure
- A timer
Make it fit
Simpler: Use building blocks or cups instead of paper and skip the measuring.
More of a stretch: In round two, give each group member a job (designer, builder, tester) and talk about how the jobs fitted together.
Printables
The instructions card is for the adult running the activity; the worksheet is for the children. Prints on A4 or US Letter at 100% / actual size; colour is optional.
The drawing frame
Paper tower challenge
Name
Draw your team's tower. Label who did each part.
The instructions card
How to run it · Game · Craft · Talking
Paper tower challenge
Build the tallest tower you can from paper, first on your own and then as a team, and talk about what changed.
30 minutesSmall group, Whole classAges 7–9, Ages 9–12, Ages 12+
What to do
- Read the saying and its meaning aloud. Do not explain it yet.
- Round one: everyone builds their own tower from five sheets of paper and a short piece of tape. Give them four minutes.
- Measure each tower and write the heights on the board.
- Round two: put people in groups of three or four. Each group pools the same paper and tape per person as before. Give them six minutes.
- Measure again and compare the heights from both rounds.
- Ask the group what the saying might mean now. Then read the meaning again.
You will need
- 10 sheets of scrap paper per person
- Sticky tape
- A ruler or tape measure
- A timer
Talk about
- Which round was easier? Why?
- Did anyone in your group have an idea you would not have had alone?
- Was there anything harder about working together?
- Can you think of something at home or in school that only works when people pull together?
Make it fit
Simpler: Use building blocks or cups instead of paper and skip the measuring.
Stretch: In round two, give each group member a job (designer, builder, tester) and talk about how the jobs fitted together.
Goes with the printable drawing frame.