Tissue Tower Relay

Name and Purpose

Tissue Tower Relay is a silly, fast-paced team challenge that gets everyone involved from the first moment.
Players practise coordination, communication, and team rhythm while sharing big laughs.

a.k.a.

Age / Group / Time / Space

Ages 8-16 | 10-30 players (2 equal teams) | 10-20 minutes | Large indoor or outdoor space with room for two parallel relay lines

Materials

Quick-Run Card

Divide into two equal teams. Each team forms a line.
Place a tissue box at the front and a collection basket at the end of each line.
On go signal, the first player takes one tissue and passes it down the line hand to hand.
The last player drops it into the basket.
First team to empty their tissue box wins the round.

Setup and Boundaries

How to Play

Divide the group into two equal teams. Each team forms a line between a tissue box and a collection basket.
Staff count players to make sure teams are even. If odd numbers, one player doubles back.
On the go signal, the player at the tissue box takes one tissue and passes it to the next person.
The tissue travels hand to hand down the line. The last player places it in the basket.
As soon as one tissue is passed, the player at the front takes the next one and starts it down the line.
The first team to empty their tissue box celebrates.
Optional reverse round: teams pass tissues back up the line to refill the box and see which team finishes first.

I-OPt Options

A (Active): Stand in the relay line and pass tissues as fast as possible
S (Support): Count tissues in the basket, call out encouragement, or help manage the tissue box at the front
Q (Quiet): Stand in the line at a calm pace, focusing on clean passes rather than speed
O (Observer): Watch the first round from the side; join the second round as a line player or support role

Inclusion Adaptations

Players with limited grip strength can pass tissues using a cupped two-hand method or drop them into a container passed along the line
Players who prefer not to handle tissues can be the basket holder at the end, ensuring a smooth drop

Stewardship Moment

After play, tissues are collected and bagged. Unused tissues go back in the box. Used tissues go in the recycling or compost if facilities allow.
Reflection: “These tissues got used for a game today. What is the difference between something being wasted and something being used well?”

Consent

Pre-brief: “This is a relay where you pass tissues down a line. For those not comfortable handling tissues, holding the basket at the end or keeping score are great ways to take part.”
Mid-game check: After the first round, pause. “Thumbs up, sideways, or down. Want to run it again?”
Opt-out / re-entry: Any player can step out of the line. Join the next round at any position.

Risks and Mitigation

Tissues scattered on the floor creating a slip hazard: designate a basket holder to keep the finish area clear
Uneven teams: if one team is shorter, a player from that team doubles back to pass a second time
Fast pace causing bumps between players: set a minimum arm’s length between players in the line

Warm-Up Suggestions

“Object Pass”: pass a beanbag down a line as fast as possible without dropping it, as a practice round
“Team Name”: each team takes 60 seconds to agree on a team name before the relay begins

Debrief Questions

Cleanup and Reset