Assemble packets of building supplies that teams will receive. These packets can include items such as drinking straws, skewers, popsicle sticks, cardboard, paper cups, construction paper and tape. Make each group's bag of construction materials different. Put these in a box and send one person from each team to pick a bag. If teams notice that other groups have different materials, explain that it is part of the challenge. Allow teams to barter with each other for materials. Give the teams 15 to 30 minutes to plan and build their towers. After the time has elapsed, measure the structures and award a prize to the winning team.
Give each team a box of toothpicks and a bag of marshmallows. Give teams five to 10 minutes to create the tallest structure. Remind teams to not eat the marshmallows before the activity is finished. For a different version of this activity, count out a number of toothpicks and marshmallows for each group, and require each group to use every marshmallow and toothpick in its structure.
Give each team a roll of masking tape and a large bag of balloons. Teams should be encouraged to make the tallest freestanding structure from tape and balloons. The balloons should not be taped to the floor or to the walls. Different shapes and sizes of balloons can be used. This activity should last about 30 minutes.
After the team-building activity has finished and the winning team has been announced, encourage discussion between the groups to show why working as a team is important. Be sure to prevent the discussion from getting too out of hand if team members get worked up. Here are some questions to use as discussion prompts: Did you find any unique challenges building your structures? Did your team find that collaborating with other teams helped both teams' goals? What was the hardest part of building your tower? What was the easiest part of building your tower? Did anything go wrong while building? What? Why is it important to work together? Did you reach your goals for tower building? What would you do differently if you had to do it again?