Craft an ice cream that is as tall as you
Measure your height, then design and build an ice cream tower as tall as you using paper, cups, craft materials to explore balance and measurement.
Step-by-step guide to make an ice cream tower as tall as you
Step 1
Stand straight with your heels touching a wall.
Step 2
Ask an adult to hold the measuring tape at the floor and measure up to the top of your head.
Step 3
Write your height number on a piece of paper.
Step 4
Measure the height of one paper cup or one scoop element with the measuring tape.
Step 5
Use your height and the cup height to figure out how many cups or scoops you will need.
Step 6
Draw a simple plan showing how many layers you will make and what colors you want for each scoop.
Step 7
Gather the number of cups and the scoop materials plus the cardboard base and decorations.
Step 8
Tape the cardboard flat to make a sturdy base for your tower.
Step 9
Roll a piece of cardboard into a tight tube and tape it to make a central support pole.
Step 10
Make one scoop by crumpling a sheet of construction paper or shaping a bunch of cotton balls into a round ball.
Step 11
Repeat making scoops until you have the number you calculated.
Step 12
Attach each scoop to a paper cup using tape or glue.
Step 13
Stack the scooped cups onto the central tube one at a time until the top of the tower reaches your written height.
Step 14
If the tower wobbles add tape supports between cups or to the base to steady it.
Step 15
Share a photo or video of your finished ice cream tower on DIY.org
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
What can we use instead of a measuring tape or cotton balls if we don't have them?
If you don't have a measuring tape use a ruler or yardstick and have an adult mark your height on the wall or a length of string and write that number on paper, and if you don't have cotton balls make scoops by crumpling extra construction paper as the instructions suggest.
My tower keeps wobbling—what step can I change to make it steady?
If the tower wobbles follow the instruction to add tape supports between cups or to the base and also make the cardboard base wider and strengthen the central support pole by rolling two or three sheets of cardboard tightly together before taping.
How can I adapt this activity for younger or older children?
For preschoolers (3–5) simplify by measuring with an adult, using fewer large pre-made scoops and an adult-made support tube, while older kids (8+) can measure independently, calculate the exact number of cups from their height, draw a detailed plan of color layers, and roll their own cardboard central pole as instructed.
What are some fun ways to personalize or extend the ice cream tower once it's built?
To enhance the project follow your drawn plan to paint or label each scoop, decorate the cardboard base with stickers, glue battery-operated LED tea lights or add flavor name tags between layers, then share the photo or video as the final instruction says.
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Facts about measurement and engineering for kids
⚖️ A tower will tip when its center of mass falls outside its base, so balance is all about where the weight sits.
🍦 Ice cream has been enjoyed in many forms for centuries — frozen treats show up in records from ancient times to modern ice cream shops!
📐 Long before rulers, people measured with body parts: the ancient cubit was based on the length of a forearm.
🧻 Rolled or folded paper makes surprisingly strong columns — architects and designers often use paper tubes for lightweight strength tests.
📏 The tallest person ever recorded was Robert Wadlow, who reached 8 ft 11 in (272 cm) — that's taller than most doorways!
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