Bubble Gum Sculpture Gallery

Name and Purpose

Bubble Gum Sculpture Gallery is a creative quiet activity that invites players to make something from almost nothing.
It builds confidence, imagination, and positive peer connection through playful art-making.

a.k.a.

Age / Group / Time / Space

Ages 8-16 | 5-20 players | 20-30 minutes | Seated tables or any flat surface, indoors or outdoors

Materials

Quick-Run Card

Hand out gum, toothpick, and index card to each player.
Players chew for a few minutes to soften the gum.
Players place gum on the card and spend 10 minutes shaping their sculpture using only the toothpick. No hands on the gum once it is on the card.
Players display their cards and each person shares what they made.
Celebrate with fun group-chosen categories.

Setup and Boundaries

Seat players at tables or spread out so each person has their own workspace
Signal: one clap = pause and listen; two claps = wrap up your sculpture
Note: toothpicks are sharp at the tip. Staff should be aware of any players who need extra care with pointed objects.

How to Play

Hand each player a piece of gum, a toothpick, and an index card.
Players chew until the gum is soft (about 2-3 minutes).
Players place gum on the card and begin shaping using only the toothpick. No hands allowed on the gum once it is placed.
After 10 minutes, call “Gallery time!” Players set their cards out on display.
Each player takes a moment to share what they made. Others try to guess if they want to.
As a group, brainstorm fun categories and vote with cheers: Most Creative, Most Surprising, Best Abstract, Funniest Concept, and so on.
Every player earns a category. No one leaves without recognition.

I-OPt Options

Start: A (Active): Begin shaping right away with a clear idea; S (Support): Help a neighbour who cannot get their gum to stick; Q (Quiet): Chew slowly and think before starting; O (Observer): Watch how others begin and join at your own pace
Mid: A: Add fine details to your sculpture; S: Encourage others nearby; Q: Focus quietly on your own piece; O: Walk around and look at others’ work (ask before touching)
Late: A: Add a finishing touch or name your piece; S: Help set up the gallery display; Q: Sit with your piece and think about what you want to say; O: Decide if you want to share or just listen
End: A: Share what you made and your inspiration; S: Cheer for others; Q: Nod or give a thumbs up to recognise others’ work; O: Watch the gallery and contribute a category suggestion

Inclusion Adaptations

Players who prefer not to chew gum can use modelling clay or a small piece of playdough as a substitute
Players who find toothpicks difficult to handle can use a popsicle stick or their card edge instead

Stewardship Moment

Gum wrappers go straight into the waste bin. No litter in the play space.
Reflection: “We turned something simple into something creative. What else in your daily life could be used in an unexpected way?”

Consent

Pre-brief: “This activity involves chewing gum and working with a toothpick. For those who prefer not to chew gum, modelling clay is another option that works just as well.”
Mid-game check: After 5 minutes, check in. “How is everyone going? Any adjustments needed?”
Opt-out/re-entry: Anyone can observe the gallery without sharing. Players can step back at any point and rejoin for the gallery walk.

Risks and Mitigation

Toothpick handling: remind players to keep toothpicks pointed toward the card surface, not toward others
Gum sticking to the card or table: use a spare index card underneath as a base if needed
A player feels their sculpture is not good enough: staff narrate effort and creativity out loud (“I love how you tackled that shape”)

Warm-Up Suggestions

“One-line sketch”: each player draws something with a single unbroken line in 30 seconds, to warm up creative thinking
“What could this be?”: hold up a random object and ask players to name five uses for it in 30 seconds

Debrief Questions

What? “What did you make, and what surprised you about working with gum?”
So What? “What did you notice about the different ways people approached the same challenge?”
Now What? “When in your life have you had to be creative with limited tools or resources?”

Cleanup and Reset