Ramp Races
Steeper, faster, further. An afternoon of one-variable experiments.
- Ages
- 2–9 yrs
- Play
- 15–40 min
- Prep
- 5 min
- Mess
- barely any
- Energy
- lively
- Where
- on the floor
You’ll need
Things you probably have at home.
- toy cars or ballsGet it on Amazon
- something to make a rampGet it on Amazon
Optional
- tape to mark the finish lineGet it on Amazon
- a tape measureGet it on Amazon
- different surfaces to test
- blocks to raise the rampGet it on Amazon
How to play
Before you start: Prop a flat piece of cardboard on a book to make a ramp. Tape a start line at the top.
Release one toy cars or balls from the start line — no pushing, that is the rule.
Mark where it stops with a piece of tape.
Add a second book under the ramp to make it steeper, and run the same toy cars or balls again.
Compare the two marks. Steeper won — but ask them why before you say so.
Now change the surface: lay a towel on the floor and run it again.
What it helps with
Make it different next time
- Race two toy cars or balls side by side and predict the winner first.
- Find the gentlest slope the toy cars or balls will still roll down.
Cleanup: The ramp folds flat and lives behind the sofa for next time.
