Back

Team relay

Marshmallow Challenge

Also called Spaghetti Tower, Spaghetti and Marshmallow Tower

In 18 minutes, teams build the tallest free-standing tower they can from dry spaghetti, tape and string, with a marshmallow on top.

people
8–80
time
35 min
energy
Medium
materials
Cheap to buy
Kids-safeHR-safeChurch-safe
Watch it played
What you need6
How to play5

Before you start

Put one kit on each table and form teams of 4. Do not let anyone open the bags until you have read the rules.

  1. 1Teams have 18 minutes to build the tallest free-standing structure they can.
  2. 2The whole marshmallow must sit on the very top.
  3. 3Spaghetti, tape and string may be cut or broken; the marshmallow may not.
  4. 4The tower may not be taped or hung from the table, ceiling or chairs.
  5. 5At time, hands off. The host measures from the table to the top of the marshmallow.
What to say3
  1. 1“Eighteen minutes, twenty sticks, one marshmallow. Tallest tower wins!”
  2. 2“Five minutes left — is your marshmallow on yet?”
  3. 3“Hands off! Nobody touch anything — let's measure!”
Host tips3
  • Expect half the towers to collapse in the last minute when the marshmallow goes on. Warn nobody — that collapse is what the debrief is about.
  • Debrief: ask when each team first put the marshmallow on. Teams that test early with small working towers beat teams that plan one big tower and add the weight at the end. Ask who ended up leading and whether anyone's idea was ignored.
  • Buy regular marshmallows, not mini ones, and plain spaghetti, not thin spaghettini — the wrong materials change the result and break the comparison with the usual benchmarks.
Variants2

  • Second build

    Run it twice. After the debrief, give fresh kits and 10 minutes. Towers almost always get taller — that is the lesson.

  • Budget round

    Teams buy extra spaghetti or tape with points; the cheapest standing tower earns a bonus.

Safety3
  • Marshmallows are a choking risk for small children; with kids, tell everyone the marshmallow is not for eating.
  • Most marshmallows contain pork gelatin — offer a halal or vegetarian brand if needed, or use a small ball of play dough.
  • Broken spaghetti ends are sharp; keep them away from eyes.
Good for

Occasions

Team buildingSchoolRetreat

Venues

Indoor, smallIndoor, largeOfficeChurch hall
If this one dies early4