Why Paper Tower works

Make a tower using only paper shapes, discovering how folds, rolls and wide bases give a flexible sheet structural strength. Choose one sheet and fold or roll it into a support shape.

Set up — Choose one sheet and fold or roll it into a support shape

Prepare paper before the child is asked to choose one sheet and fold or roll it into a support shape. The setup is ready when the child can choose one sheet and fold or roll it into a support shape and then move on to the instruction to test whether that shape can stand by itself without a new explanation. Use lightweight materials on a stable surface and keep builds at a safe, reachable height while those two steps are connected.

Step 2 — Test whether that shape can stand by itself

After completing the instruction to test whether that shape can stand by itself, pause and ask what changed from the earlier step where they had to choose one sheet and fold or roll it into a support shape. Use that answer to decide whether they are ready to add a second paper support or top platform.

Step 3 — Add a second paper support or top platform

Keep the adult prompt brief while the child tries to add a second paper support or top platform. If needed, return to the earlier step to test whether that shape can stand by itself before asking them to build upward only after the lower form is stable.

Step 4 — Build upward only after the lower form is stable

Keep the pace slow while the child tries to build upward only after the lower form is stable. If the effect is hard to see, simplify that action before continuing with the instruction to compare the final tower with a flat sheet of the same paper.

Step 5 — Compare the final tower with a flat sheet of the same paper

Treat the attempt to compare the final tower with a flat sheet of the same paper as a checkpoint between the earlier step to build upward only after the lower form is stable and the coming step to compare the final tower with a flat sheet of the same paper. A perfect answer is not required.

What to notice before Compare the final tower with a flat sheet…

After the child has tried to build upward only after the lower form is stable, ask what changed. An answer connected to the earlier attempt to add a second paper support or top platform is good evidence of which connection, base, or support makes the structure work before the final step.

Make Add a second paper support or top… easier or harder

If asking the child to add a second paper support or top platform is too demanding, use fewer pieces and build a lower, more stable version. Once that step is comfortable, add one structural constraint such as span, opening, height, or limited pieces before returning to the final request to compare the final tower with a flat sheet of the same paper.

Finish after Compare the final tower with a flat sheet…

Compare the final tower with a flat sheet of the same paper. Stop there while the rule and result are still easy to remember. Find the next activity in the activity search, or make a new one with the activity generator.