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Team relay

Newspaper Tower

Also called Paper Tower Challenge, Tallest Tower

Teams build the tallest free-standing tower they can from newspaper and tape in a fixed time.

people
6–80
time
25 min
energy
Medium
materials
Household items
Kids-safeHR-safeChurch-safe
Watch it played
What you need4
How to play4

Before you start

Form teams of 4–6 and give each a clear patch of floor or a table with its kit. Read the rules before anyone touches the paper.

  1. 1Teams have 15 minutes to build the tallest tower they can.
  2. 2The tower must stand on its own for 10 seconds after hands are off.
  3. 3No taping to the floor, walls or furniture.
  4. 4The host measures each tower at time. Tallest wins.
What to say3
  1. 1“Twenty sheets of newspaper, one metre of tape. Build up!”
  2. 2“Five minutes left — test it before it's too late!”
  3. 3“Hands off! Ten seconds… it's still standing!”
Host tips3
  • Cut the tape to length beforehand. Hand over a full roll and the tallest tower is simply the team that used the most tape.
  • Measure in order after everyone stops, not as teams finish — late-finishing teams otherwise lose because they keep adding while you measure others.
  • Debrief: ask whether the team planned before building, who took charge of design, and what happened when the first version wobbled. Compare the tallest tower's approach with the one that fell.
Variants2

  • Load test

    The tower must hold a paperback book or a stuffed toy on top for 10 seconds.

  • No tape

    Folding, rolling and tearing only. Harder and slower; give 20 minutes.

Safety1
  • Newspaper ink rubs off on hands and light clothing — have wipes ready.
Good for

Occasions

Team buildingSchoolRetreatChristmas

Venues

Indoor, smallIndoor, largeOfficeChurch hall
If this one dies early3