Build the Tallest Tower with Newspapers and Tape: Embark on the Ultimate Team-Building Challenge!

What is Newspaper Tower Challenge?

The Newspaper Tower Challenge is a fun and engaging icebreaker activity that can be used in various settings, such as team building events, orientation sessions, or classroom settings. The goal of the game is to challenge participants to work together to build a tall tower using only newspaper and tape. The activity not only encourages teamwork, but also creativity and problem solving skills.

To begin the activity, create teams of 4-6 people and provide each team with newspaper and tape. Instruct the teams to build a tower that stands as high as possible within a set time limit, usually around 15-20 minutes. The tower should be able to stand on its own without any additional support.

The goal of the activity is to provide an opportunity for team members to collaborate and work together to achieve a common goal. It also helps to develop communication, problem solving, and critical thinking skills. The activity can be played in various settings such as classrooms, corporate events, or social gatherings.

It is important to note that the Newspaper Tower Challenge may not be suitable for all groups or occasions. It is best to avoid playing the game with groups that have physical limitations or may find it challenging to work with their hands. Additionally, it may not be appropriate for groups that have limited time or resources.

To make the activity more fun, encourage participants to get creative with their designs and to think outside the box. Consider providing prizes for the team with the tallest or most unique tower design. Overall, the Newspaper Tower Challenge is a fun and engaging activity that can be used to encourage teamwork, creativity, and problem solving skills in any group setting.

Materials needed for Newspaper Tower Challenge

• 10 Newspapers (Quantity depends on the number of participants)
• 1 Tape (Per team)

How to play Newspaper Tower Challenge

• Gather materials: First, gather all the materials you'll need for the Newspaper Tower Challenge. You'll need plenty of newspapers, tape, and scissors to get started.
• Form teams: Divide the participants into teams, ideally with 4 or 5 people in each team. Make sure each team has access to the materials.
• Explain the challenge: Briefly explain the rules and objective of the Newspaper Tower Challenge to the participants. The challenge is to build the tallest free-standing tower using only newspapers, tape, and scissors. The tower should be able to stand on its own for at least 10 seconds.
• Set a time limit: Decide on a time limit for the activity. Depending on the group size and difficulty level, you can allocate around 20-30 minutes for the teams to complete the challenge.
• Start building: Give the teams the green light to start building their newspaper towers. Remind them to use their creativity and problem-solving skills to come up with a sturdy structure.
• Encourage teamwork: Throughout the activity, encourage teamwork and collaboration among team members. Effective communication and cooperation will help them build a stronger tower.
• Monitor time: Keep an eye on the time remaining and occasionally remind the teams how much time they have left. This will add some excitement and urgency to the challenge.
• End the challenge: When the time is up, ask all teams to stop building and step away from their towers. Measure the height of each tower using a measuring tape or ruler.
• Declare a winner: Compare the heights of the towers and declare the team with the tallest tower as the winner. You can also give recognition to other teams based on different criteria, such as creativity or stability of the tower.
• Discuss and conclude: Take some time to discuss the challenge with the participants. Ask them about their strategies, what worked well, and what they learned from the activity. Wrap up the icebreaker by thanking everyone for their participation.

Benefits of Newspaper Tower Challenge

Team building activities are far more than just fun and games. They pack a punch when it comes to the range of benefits they can deliver. Some of the benefits of Newspaper Tower Challenge include:

• Encourages teamwork: The Newspaper Tower Challenge requires participants to work together to build the tallest tower possible, promoting collaboration and communication.
• Fosters creativity: Participants are challenged to use unconventional materials to build their tower, which allows for unique and creative design solutions.
• Develops problem-solving skills: As teams encounter obstacles, they must quickly come up with solutions to ensure the success of their tower, which sharpens problem-solving abilities.
• Boosts morale: Active participation in a fun icebreaker activity helps to create a positive and upbeat atmosphere in the workplace or classroom.
• Encourages communication: Teams must communicate frequently to avoid missteps and ensure that their plans are executed correctly, which strengthens communication skills.
• Improves time management: With a fixed time limit, teams must manage their time effectively to ensure the completion of their project on time.

Why we like Newspaper Tower Challenge

We love this game because it's a great way to promote teamwork and creativity while also being a fun and engaging challenge.

Reflection questions for Newspaper Tower Challenge

Reflection questions are a great way to help your team process their experience after playing Newspaper Tower Challenge.

1. What was your strategy in building the tower?
   This question aims to solicit the participant’s approach and plan in constructing the tower. It can provide insights into their problem-solving and decision-making skills.
2. What challenges did you encounter when building the tower?
   This question intends to elicit the difficulties the participant has faced during the activity. It helps in identifying the potential roadblocks the team might encounter during a real project.
3. How did you communicate or collaborate with your teammates?
   This question aims to determine the participant’s ability to communicate and work cooperatively with a team. It is essential to have team collaboration and good communication skills to ensure project success.
4. What did your team do differently from other teams?
   This question helps to identify the unique approaches the team applied compared to other teams. It can also provide insights into the team’s creativity and resourcefulness.
5. What did you learn from this icebreaker activity?
   This question intends to elicit the takeaways the participant has had from the activity. It can provide insights into the individual’s self-awareness and learning skills.

Which skills does Newspaper Tower Challenge build?

• Teamwork - Teamwork skills are crucial for icebreakers and team building because they foster effective communication, encourage collaboration, and promote a sense of unity among team members, leading to better problem-solving and increased productivity.
• Problem-solving - Problem-solving skills are essential for icebreakers and team building as they help break down barriers, foster creativity, and encourage collaboration, resulting in stronger relationships and more effective problem-solving within the team.
• Creativity - Creativity skills can greatly enhance icebreakers and team building by allowing participants to think outside the box and come up with unique solutions and ideas. This promotes collaboration, boosts morale, and fosters a positive and innovative environment within a team.
• Strategic thinking - Strategic thinking skills are super helpful in icebreakers and team building because they help you plan and execute activities that foster better communication and collaboration, making the overall experience more engaging and productive.