Cup tower challenges

Supplies:

• Plastic or paper cups (at least 10–20 cups per child or team)

• Optional extras for harder challenges:

  • Rubber bands

  • String

  • Ice block sticks

  • Timer/stopwatch

Steps:

1. Set Up:

   • Give each child or team a set of cups (minimum 10 cups each).

   • Set up a clear building area—tables, mats, or outdoor flat space.

2. Challenge Brief:

   • Explain the goal: Build the tallest free-standing tower possible using only your cups!

   • No taping or sticking the cups together—just clever stacking and balancing.

   • The tower must stand on its own for at least 10 seconds at the end of building time.

3. Building Time:

   • Set a timer for 10–15 minutes.

   • Encourage kids to test different stacking techniques as they go—pyramids, rows, alternating layers, etc.

4. Presentation:

   • When time is up, each team steps back from their tower.

   • Measure the height of each tower using a ruler, measuring tape, or by comparing against a common object (e.g., a metre stick).

   • Celebrate creative strategies, even if the tower falls!

5. (Optional) Bonus Challenges:

   • Speed Round: How tall can you build in 1 minute?

   • Blindfolded Build: Work with a partner—one gives verbal instructions while the other stacks blindfolded.

   • Engineering Upgrade: Add extra materials like ice block sticks to make bridges between cup towers.