Games
Papercup Telephone
Children make telephones using two paper cups connected by a string, exploring sound vibrations and communication through a fun hands-on activity.
Materials
- Paper Cup
- Thread
- Scissors
- Masking Tape
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Checklist
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how to play
Divide the children into pairs or small groups. Begin with a story, such as two friends living far apart who want to share secrets without shouting, so they invent a special talking device. Provide each group with two paper cups and a long piece of string. Show them how to poke a small hole at the bottom of each cup, thread the string through, and knot it securely inside. Once their telephones are ready, let one child hold a cup to their mouth while the other holds the second cup to their ear, making sure the string is pulled tight. Encourage them to test how clearly they can hear each other’s voices and to experiment with different lengths of string. If they struggle, give hints like: What happens when the string is loose? Why does it work better when stretched tight? Can more than two children join by adding another cup? Through this play, children discover sound vibrations, communication, and teamwork in a fun way.
Challanges
- Pass the sound through one paper cup to another with the use of thread.
- Connect as many paper cups as possible and see up to what number of the cups the sound can pass.
- Let the kids figure out if the sound passes if there's any block in the thread.
Questions to be asked
- How does sound travel in this? What acts as a medium for the travel of sound?
- If the thread is loose, does the sound travel well? Or does the sound travel well when the thread is tight?
- If there is any obstacle created in the thread or if you touch the thread or move it, does the sound travel?