Maryland Creative Problem Solvers Instant Challenge Library

Playthings

This is a hybrid (verbal/hands-on) challenge.

The Challenge:

You must design a game that elementary school children can play that must keep them busy for at least 5 full minutes. The game must have written rules and a way of knowing who is the winner.

The Scene:

You are visiting your old third grade teacher and she suddenly gets very ill. The principal asks you to substitute for the class. You have to entertain her class by having them play a game.

Materials:

1 sharpened pencil

10 spaghetti

10 "ziti" (pasta)

6 straws

2 rubber bands

2 sheets notebook paper

1 12" piece of string

5 paper clips

3 cotton balls

1 12" piece of wax paper

2 sheets construction paper (8.5 x 11)

5 index cards

1 paper cup

1 paper plate

4 mailing labels

1 12" piece of aluminum foil

Directions:

You will have 5 minutes to design the game and write the rules. At the end of 5 minutes, you will have 3 minutes to the game, using the rules. You must show the judges how someone "wins" the game.

Scoring:

20 points for the originality of the game
20 points for the creativity of the use of materials
5 points for each of the types of materials used in the game
20 point for the rules of the game
20 points of the demonstration of the game
20 points for teamwork