Team building

Marshmallow Challenge

Teams build the tallest freestanding tower from spaghetti, tape and string that can hold a marshmallow on top. A STEM team-building favorite.

  • 🎓 Grades 3–12
  • ⏱ 25–40 min
  • 👥 Teams of 4
  • 📦 Some prep
🎲 Another game

How to play Marshmallow Challenge

  1. Give each team the same materials.
  2. Teams have 18 minutes to build the tallest freestanding structure.
  3. The marshmallow must sit on the very top.
  4. When time is up, hands off. Measure from the table to the top of the marshmallow.
  5. Debrief: what worked, and what would you change?

Variations

  • Engineering version: give teams 5 minutes to plan before they can touch materials.

💡 Teacher tips

  • Use the projected timer so everyone sees the countdown.
How to play Marshmallow Challenge: printable classroom rule card with the steps, time (25–40 min), grades 3–12 and prep

📌 Rule card to print or pin

The rules of Marshmallow Challenge on one card. Print it for the board or a sub folder, or save it to Pinterest for later.

Save to Pinterest Download / print rule card
Up next🔐 Classroom Escape Room →

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