The Paper Tower

The Paper Tower is a construction challenge in teams of 3 to 5 people, achievable with simple A4 sheets and, if you choose, a bit of tape. The goal is to build the tallest self-supporting tower within a limited time, meaning it must stand on its own at the time of measurement. The game is similar to the Marshmallow Challenge, with even simpler and more accessible materials. It concretely experiences the tensions between planning and experimentation, the distribution of roles, and the value of rapid prototyping.

Walkthrough

1. 1

   Set the framework and form teams

   3 min

   Divide participants into teams of 3 to 5 people, ensuring a balance of profiles if the group knows each other. Set up each team around a table or a space on the floor, with enough distance to limit direct observation of neighbouring solutions. Say: 'Your mission will be to build a paper tower, as tall as possible, that stands on its own at the time of measurement.' Specify that the exercise serves as much to observe how they cooperate as to succeed in the construction.

   Tip — Avoid teams of 2: they produce quickly, but it is harder to observe the distribution of roles and collective decision-making.

2. 2

   Distribute materials and state the rules

   4 min

   Give each team the same materials: a limited number of A4 sheets, for example, 20, and possibly a bit of tape if you wish to allow it. Clearly state the rules: the tower must be built only with the provided materials, it must be self-supporting, and it must not be held by a person at the time of measurement. The goal is to achieve the greatest height measured from the table or floor to the highest point of the tower. Say: 'A tower that collapses or must be held will not be measured as valid.'

   Tip — Physically demonstrate what 'self-supporting' means: remove your hands from an object placed in front of you, this avoids discussions at the time of measurement.

3. 3

   Initiate a planning time without touching the materials

   3 min

   Announce a short planning time during which teams can discuss, draw, or decide on a strategy, but must not touch the sheets or tape. Say: 'During these three minutes, you prepare your approach: base shape, roles, steps, risks. The materials remain untouched and no one should start folding, rolling, or assembling.' Observe the teams: some will seek complete agreement, while others will already distribute tasks. This time prepares the debrief on the place of reflection before action.

   Tip — Place the sheets visibly in the centre of the table: the temptation to manipulate them makes the instruction more vivid and already reveals action reflexes.

4. 4

   Build the tower in a limited time

   10 min

   Start the timer and allow teams to use the materials. Say: 'You now have ten minutes to build the tallest self-supporting tower possible with your A4 sheets and the tape provided if it is allowed. You can fold, roll, stack, assemble, and modify your idea as many times as necessary.' Circulate without giving technical advice, but remind them of the remaining time halfway through and then two minutes before the end. Observe who decides, who tests, who builds, who coordinates, and how the team reacts to failures.

   Tip — Do not give any design hints, even if a team is heading into a dead end: the learning comes precisely from their trials and adjustments.

5. 5

   Stop constructions and stabilise the towers

   2 min

   At the end of the time, announce firmly: 'Stop, hands off the tower and the materials.' Allow a few seconds for each team to remove their hands, but do not allow any modifications, additions, or repairs. Check that each tower stands on its own, without human support or external support not provided in the materials. If a tower falls before measurement, note it calmly and keep the event for the debrief. This step makes the self-supporting rule concrete and fair for all.

   Tip — Count aloud the last three seconds before the stop: this limits disputes and creates a useful moment of tension.

6. 6

   Measure and recognise the results

   4 min

   Measure only the self-supporting towers at the time of measurement, from their base resting on the table or floor to the highest point. Announce the heights aloud and note them visibly for all teams. Remind that the success criterion is the valid height, not the beauty, the amount of paper used, or the originality. Congratulate the team that achieves the tallest tower, then also highlight the learnings observed in the other teams. The ranking serves as an anchor, but the real educational material is the way it was achieved.

   Tip — Measure slowly and neutrally: a disputed measurement can divert attention from the debrief towards a discussion of arbitration.

7. 7

   Debrief the learnings

   7 min

   Gather the group around the towers or in a circle, then start with observable facts before moving to interpretations. Say: 'First describe what happened in your team, without judging: decisions, trials, changes, moments of blockage.' Bring out the contrasts between teams: those who planned extensively, those who prototyped quickly, those who distributed roles. Then link the observations to work situations: uncertain projects, time constraints, limited resources, rapid coordination. Conclude with a transferable action that everyone could test in their next project.

   Tip — Start with the team whose tower may not have won but whose process was rich: this avoids reducing the exercise to a competition.

Variants

• Silent construction: after the planning time, prohibit speaking during the entire construction. This variant strongly highlights the quality of roles, coordination gestures, and non-verbal signals.
• Without tape: only provide A4 sheets. The constraint reinforces reflection on shapes, stability, folding, and rapid experimentation.
• Two successive rounds: immediately replay a second time with the same materials and the same rules. Compare strategies between the two rounds to highlight learning through iteration.
• Cross-observation: designate one observer per team, without a construction role. They note decisions, tests, blockages, and role distribution, then feed the debrief with precise facts.