World Hello Day / Cup Phone Hello Test
Cup Phone Hello Test
Children make string telephones from cups and test how far a whispered hello can travel, discovering how sound moves as vibrations.
How to run it
- Poke a small hole in the base of two paper cups.
- Thread string through both holes and tie a knot or paperclip inside each cup.
- Partners walk apart until the string is tight and take turns saying hello.
- Test different string lengths and see what happens when the string is slack or touched.
- Talk about how the vibrations travel along the string.
You will need
- paper or plastic cups
- string
- paperclips
- sharp pencil or skewer (educator use)
Make it easier or harderYounger children can use pre-made phones; older children can try connecting three cups into a party line.
SafetyEducators make the holes in the cups, and keep string away from necks.
My Time Our Place · Outcome 4, Outcome 5Children investigate sound and communicate with a partner as they test their invention.
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