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#13 Medium

Marshmallow Challenge

Build the tallest tower using only spaghetti, tape, and string with a marshmallow on top in 18 minutes. Shows who jumps in vs who plans, and reveals how teams handle failure when towers collapse.

team-building creative hands-on competition innovation collaboration

Group Size:

8-30 people

Duration:

18-30 minutes

Difficulty:

Medium

How to Play:

Marshmallow Challenge - How to Play
  1. 1

    Divide participants into teams of 4-5 people each

  2. 2

    Give each team: 20 sticks of uncooked spaghetti, 1 meter of tape, 1 meter of string, 1 marshmallow

  3. 3

    Announce the rules: build the tallest freestanding structure with the marshmallow on top

  4. 4

    Teams have exactly 18 minutes—no extensions

  5. 5

    The structure must stand on its own without support when time ends

  6. 6

    Measure heights from table to top of marshmallow and declare the winner

Marshmallow Challenge exposes a uncomfortable truth: kindergartners consistently outperform business school graduates. Hand both groups spaghetti and tape, and five-year-olds start building immediately while MBAs spend 15 minutes debating architecture. The marshmallow is heavier than it looks, and the teams who test early win.

In 18 minutes, you’ll watch your executives argue about structural engineering while the intern quietly builds something that actually stands. This ice breaker game has been used by companies like Google to teach one lesson: iterate fast.

fail early, and never assume your first plan will work. The winning towers are rarely elegant—they’re the ones still standing when the clock hits zero.

Best For:

Innovation workshops, leadership training, design thinking sessions, and team building retreats. A classic ice breaker game that reveals prototyping skills and collaboration patterns.

Pro Tips

  • Emphasize that the marshmallow must be on TOP when time expires—not stuck to the side

  • Provide flat, stable surfaces for building

  • Watch for the 'aha moment' when teams realize the marshmallow is heavier than expected

  • Debrief with questions: What worked? What failed? What would you do differently?

Variations

  • Budget Challenge: Assign costs to materials, teams must build within a fixed budget

  • Silent Challenge: No talking allowed during the 18 minutes

  • Resource Trading: Teams can negotiate and trade materials with each other

  • Bonus Round: Give winning team 3 extra minutes to improve their tower

FAQ

What materials do I need for the Marshmallow Challenge?
Per team: 20 uncooked spaghetti sticks, 1 meter of masking tape, 1 meter of string, and 1 large marshmallow. Total cost is usually under $5 per team.
Why do most Marshmallow Challenge towers collapse?
Teams often plan elaborate structures but test the marshmallow too late. The marshmallow weighs more than expected and acts as a forcing function that reveals flawed assumptions.
What's the winning strategy for the Marshmallow Challenge?
Build small, test early, iterate fast. Kindergartners consistently outperform MBA students because they prototype immediately instead of planning endlessly.
Can the Marshmallow Challenge work for remote teams?
Not effectively—this ice breaker game requires physical materials and hands-on collaboration. For remote teams, try virtual alternatives like online escape rooms.
How should I debrief the Marshmallow Challenge?
Ask: Which team tested the marshmallow first? Who took leadership roles? How did you handle setbacks? Connect insights to real workplace collaboration.

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