Program: Marshmallow Melee

Get your fluffy, puffy ammunition ready!

This is an inexpensive program that is sure to be a hit with your teens.  Marshmallow Melee can be held indoors our outside depending on your library's size and location.  Please Note: If you host the melee indoors you will want to tape down a drop-cloth to cover any carpet. Marshmallows ground into carpet are hard to dislodge.

Supplies:

• Mini-Marshmallows (2-3 bags depending on group size)
• Large paper cups
• Scissors
• Balloons
• Rubber bands
• Boxes (all sizes)
• Tables
• Drop cloth (optional)
• Two flags (can be cloth or paper)

Creating a Marshmallow "Catapult"

Team Roo vs. Team Platypus

1. Using scissors cut out the bottom of a cup.
2. Without blowing up balloon, tie a knot in the end of a balloon
3. Cut a hole in the "top" of the balloon (the opposite end from the knot).  If you are a visual person there is a great 'how to' at Kiwi Crate.
4. Slip balloon over the bottom of the cup
5. Secure balloon with rubber band
6. To shoot, load a marshmallow and pull back on the knotted end of the balloon.  Release knotted end for marshmallow launching AWESOMENESS!

Prep & Execution

Set up your room/playing field with plenty of places for teens to hide behind.  (Think paintball course.)  Stash caches of "ammunition" around the room.  Divide teams into 2 groups and explain Capture the Flag Rules, only in the Marshmallow Melee teens who are hit by marshmallows are frozen (a la Freeze Tag) until the Wizard (YA Librarian) unfreezes them.


Books to Display and/or Booktalk
The Last Knight by Hilari Bell
Warrior Heir by Cinda Williams Chima
Design Your Own Coat-of-Arms by Rosemary A. Chorzempa
The Ruins of Gorlan by John Flanagan
The Art of the Catapult by William Gurstelle
Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers
Castle by David Macaulay
Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta
The Squire's Tale by Gerald Morris
Alanna: The First Adventure by Tamora Pierce