Build a Cup Pyramid with This Fun Teamwork Challenge

As the last cup slipped into position at the the top of the pyramid,  the girls started jumping up and down and shouting, “We finally did it!”

It had taken 15 minutes, but they had finally succeeded building a cup pyramid with this teamwork activity.

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This teamwork challenge is simple to set up and will keep kids busy working together, making it perfect for a scout meeting or as a rainy day activity at home.

Cup Pyramid Team Work Challenge

Materials Needed:

• 6 Plastic Cups (They hold up better than paper cups do for this activity.)
• Rubberband
• String/Yarn
• Group of 4-6 People

Prepare for the activity by creating your rubberband and string tool.

Tie 4-6 pieces of string (depending on how many people are doing the activity) to your rubberband.  Each piece of string should be approximately 2 feet (1/2 meter) in length.

If you want to turn it more into a STEM activity, you can let the kids figure out how to make the string tool with the rubber band and string pieces on their own.

Explain that the object of the game is to use the cups to build a pyramid.

Participants can only use the rubberband and string tool to pick up and move the plastic cups.  They may not use their bodies to touch the cups.

Working together they can pull the strings to stretch the rubberband and slip it over a cup.  By letting the rubberband tighten around the cup they can work together to move it.

Each team member must work together, adjusting the tension on the string, to get the cups picked up and placed correctly.

Questions to consider after the activity:

• Was the challenge easy or hard?
• What problems did you face?  How did you resolve them?
• How did your group work together?
• How important was communication in this challenge?

Extensions:

If your group wants to try a more difficult challenge you can try doing the activity without talking.  Or, try having one person in the group be blindfolded.

Building a cup pyramid with this simple teamwork activity was one of my daughter’s favorite activities at Girl Scout camp this summer.  Not only is it fun, but it teaches kids the importance of working together.

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