# Marshmallow Challenge

> 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.

URL: https://www.bravodays.com/en/team-building-library/marshmallow-challenge
Last updated: 2026-10-21
Publisher: BravoDays (https://www.bravodays.com)

## Key facts

- **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

1. Form teams of 4–5 and hand out identical kits.
2. Explain the rules: free-standing, marshmallow on top, measured from table to marshmallow.
3. Start an 18-minute countdown and announce the time every few minutes.
4. At the end, hands off; measure every tower still standing.
5. 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.

## Related pages

- [Team building library](https://www.bravodays.com/en/team-building-library)
- [Get a quote](https://www.bravodays.com/en/get-a-quote)