Problem-solving · Creativity
Marshmallow Challenge
Teams build the tallest free-standing tower from spaghetti, tape and string, with a marshmallow on top, in 18 minutes.
Quick answer
How do you run Marshmallow Challenge with a team?
Teams build the tallest free-standing tower from spaghetti, tape and string, with a marshmallow on top, in 18 minutes. Duration: 45 minutes. Group size: 8–100 people. Setting: Indoor. Below you will find a step-by-step guide, the materials and facilitator tips.
- Duration
- 45 minutes
- Group size
- 8–100 people
- Setting
- Indoor
- Energy level
- Active
- Materials
- Per team: 20 sticks of dry spaghetti, 1 m of masking tape, 1 m of string
- Price
- Free, no sign-up
Objective
Experience rapid prototyping and see why testing early beats planning for too long.
Materials
- Per team: 20 sticks of dry spaghetti
- 1 m of masking tape
- 1 m of string
- 1 marshmallow
- Scissors
- Measuring tape
Step by step
- Form teams of 4–5 and hand out identical kits.
- Explain the rules: free-standing, marshmallow on top, measured from table to marshmallow.
- Start an 18-minute countdown and announce the time every few minutes.
- At the end, hands off; measure every tower still standing.
- Debrief: when did you first put the marshmallow on? What would you do differently?
Facilitator tips
- Display the countdown on a screen.
- Share the known result: groups who prototype early usually build higher.
Variations
- Add a budget: teams "buy" extra spaghetti with points.
- Second round with lessons learned to compare heights.
Accessibility
Fine motor skills help but are not essential; roles like timekeeper, tester and strategist keep everyone involved.
