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Nicofiends activity

Power Up Tower

A team building challenge about tempting offers, hidden catches and quick decisions.

What it explores

This activity helps young people think about how offers can sound useful or exciting at first, but may come with a catch. It opens up discussion about quick decisions, group pressure and what can happen when people do not get the full picture.
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Time
20 to 30 mins
Age
Ages 8 to 10
Setting
Classroom, Youth group, Community setting
Group size
Small groups

Activity at a glance

Best for

Hidden catches, quick decisions and pressure to say yes.

You’ll need

For each team: 10 straws Six strips of tape Two sheets of A4 paper One small paper ball One pair of scissorsFor the whole group: Timer Ruler or tape measure Power Up Cards Spare straws, tape and paperPrepare equal material sets for each team. Cut out the Power Up Cards. Adults should supervise the use of scissors where needed.
printable materials

Key message

Something can look helpful, exciting or easy at first, but the catch may not be obvious straight away.

How to run it

  • Split the group into teams and give each team the same materials.
  • Explain that teams have eight minutes to build the tallest free standing tower they can.
  • After two or three minutes, offer each team a Power Up Card.
  • Teams may accept or refuse the card. Give them a short moment to discuss the offer.
  • Reveal the catch only after a card has been accepted.
  • Keep offering cards during the challenge. All material changes and trades must be managed by the facilitator.
  • Teams must never take materials directly from another team.
  • At the end, measure every tower that can stand without support. Celebrate creative decisions, teamwork and thoughtful refusals, rather than height alone.

Discussion prompts

  • What made a Power Up sound worth taking?
  • Did your team ask enough questions before accepting it?
  • Did anyone feel pressure to say yes quickly?
  • What changed when the catch was revealed?
  • Where might young people see offers or messages that leave out the full picture?

Reflection

This activity helps young people notice that pressure can come through offers, excitement or quick decisions. It encourages them to pause, ask questions and think about the hidden catch before following the group.

Link To Smoking, Vaping or Nicotine

Power Up Tower links to the way smoking, vaping and nicotine products can be presented through offers, flavours, packaging, social media or peer pressure.

Some messages can make a choice seem easy, fun or low risk, but leave out the catch. This activity helps young people practise pausing, questioning the offer and thinking about what might be missing.

Adapting the activity

Make it Easier

Use fewer Power Up cards and explain the catches clearly before the game starts.

Make it Harder

Keep the catch hidden until after the team accepts the Power Up.

Safety Note

Use the activity in a clear workspace and supervise scissors. Resource changes must be handled by the facilitator. Teams may refuse every offer without losing points. Offer seated roles such as builder, timekeeper, card reader or decision recorder.

Ready to Run The Acitvity

Download the activity PDF or go back to the resource hub to find another activity.

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