Team Building Towers

Team building challenges teach that collaborative effort produces better results than individual work and require practise in communication and compromise.

Objectives

Materials

Instructions

Form teams of 3-4 children and introduce the challenge: 'Your team is going to work together to build the tallest tower you can! But here's the catch—everyone has to help, and you have to agree on what to do!'

Distribute building materials and set a timer. Before starting, discuss team skills: 'In good teams, everyone shares ideas, everyone listens, and everyone helps. No one person is the boss!'

Observe teams as they work. Coach cooperation: 'I notice Marcus has an idea—make sure everyone listens! Now what does Sarah think?' Notice and name teamwork: 'This team is really listening to each other!'

Pause mid-challenge if needed to address teamwork struggles: 'Some teams are having one person do all the work. That's not teamwork! How can you make sure everyone contributes?'

After building, tour the towers and celebrate TEAMS, not individuals: 'This team built a tall tower! What did you do that helped your team succeed?' Focus on process over product.

Debrief with reflection questions: 'What was hard about working as a team? What helped your team do well? Would you do anything differently next time?'

Educator tip

Some children dominate while others withdraw. Assign specific roles (block holder, block placer, designer, timekeeper) to ensure everyone participates. Rotate roles in subsequent challenges.

Assessment

Observe and note: ability to follow two-step instructions, use of new vocabulary in context, early problem-solving strategies, and sustained shared thinking episodes. Assess against Development Matters age-band expectations. Observe team participation, communication quality, compromise behaviours, and team rather than individual celebration.

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