Classic Team-Building Activity for Groups - Marshmallow Challenge
Marshmallow Challenge is a hands-on team design exercise where small groups build the tallest freestanding structure they can from simple materials.
How to run it
- In advance, prepare one kit containing the following items for each small group:
- Gather your group and divide them into small teams of approx 4 to 8 people.
- Instruct the groups to use (only) the contents of the kits to build the tallest free-standing structure, and to place the marshmallow on top (highest peak of the structure.)
- Explain that every group has exactly 20 minutes to complete the task.
- Groups are permitted to use as little or all of their resources and break the spaghetti, string and tape as they choose.
- The team with the tallest (free-standing) structure supporting the highest marshmallow at the end of the time, wins.
- Marshmallow Challenge Classic team-building activity to challenge small teams.
- In this classic team-building activity, the Marshmallow Challenge motivates participants to communicate effectively and leverage each other’s strengths by focusing on problem-solving and resource management, not to mention the importance of planning and execution.
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Prompts to use +
In advance, prepare one kit containing the following items for each small group:
Instruct the groups to use (only) the contents of the kits to build the tallest free-standing structure, and to place the marshmallow on top (highest peak of the structure.)
Explain that every group has exactly 20 minutes to complete the task.
Groups are permitted to use as little or all of their resources and break the spaghetti, string and tape as they choose.
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Adapt this exercise for my exact room. Exercise: Classic Team-Building Activity for Groups - Marshmallow Challenge. Readiness: Publishable Draft. Core moves: In advance, prepare one kit containing the following items for each small group:; Instruct the groups to use (only) the contents of the kits to build the tallest free-standing structure, and to place the marshmallow on top (highest peak of the structure.); Explain that every group has exactly 20 minutes to complete the task.; Groups are permitted to use as little or all of their resources and break the spaghetti, string and tape as they choose.. Return a concise facilitator script with timing, wording, safety notes, and remote/in-person adjustments.
Origin unverified
- Where we observed it: The strongest current observations come from Playmeo; aggregators are listed as additional observations, not origin proof. (1 source observed, including Playmeo.)
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- No efficacy claims: appearing in this library is not a claim that the exercise is proven effective. Facilitator judgment and context decide whether it works for a given room.
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