Stand-Up Paper Turkey Challenge

What you need

• Clear cups, 1 per builder
• Paper, 2 per builder
• Painter's tape, a few strips per builder
• Kid scissors, 1 pair per builder
• Crayons or markers, a handful to share (optional)
• Plate or tray, 1 per builder (easier version) (optional)

How to do it

Grown-up prep: Set out one matching kit per builder: a paper cup, 2 sheets of paper, a few strips of tape and scissors. Keep paper plates handy for anyone who wants the easier version.

1. Grab your builder kit: one cup, two sheets of paper, tape and scissors.
2. Draw feather shapes on your paper and cut them out. Ask for help if you need it
3. Tape your feathers to the back of the cup in a big fan.
4. Set your turkey on the table and let go.
   Ask: Do you think your turkey will stand tall or tip over? Why?
5. Count slowly to ten. Is your turkey still standing?
6. If it fell, play detective and find out why.
   Ask: Which way did it fall, and what do you think pulled it over?
7. Change just one thing, then test it again.
8. Count feathers on every standing turkey. Most feathers wins!
9. Round two: add a head and feet without toppling it.
10. Show your family your turkey, or build a whole flock! How tall can your next one go?
    Ask: What would you change to fit even more feathers next time?

Play it again

• Tallest turkey: the standing turkey with the tallest feathers wins.
• Tape limit: everyone gets only three strips of tape to build with.
• Wobble test: gently blow on each turkey and see whose stays standing.