Have your toys been missing out on the fun at the playground? Looking for a fun and easy activity that’s part adventure, part engineering? Try making an at-home toy zipline! With just string, paperclips, and pipe cleaners, you can create a mini zipline for your favorite toys to try. It’s a hands-on way to explore STEAM concepts like measurement, angles, and problem-solving — all while having a blast. Ready, set, ZOOM!
Supplies:
- String or yarn
- Paperclips or other office supplies
- Pipe cleaners or recycled materials
- Scissors
- Small toys or figurines
- Two anchor points (like chairs or doorknobs)
Step 1: Build the Harness
- Use pipe cleaners or recycled materials to make a simple harness for your toy. Think of it as a seat or loop to hold the toy securely.
- Bend a paperclip into a hook and attach it to the harness. This will connect your toy to the zipline. You can also use other office supplies; be creative!
Step 2: Set Up the Zipline
- Tie one end of the string to a high anchor point (like a chair back or knob) and the other end to a lower anchor point (like a chair leg). Make sure the string is tight!
- Test the slope by sliding your finger along the string. The steeper the slope, the faster your toy will go.
Step 3: Launch and Learn
- Hook your toy onto the zipline and let it slide down. Watch how gravity pulls it along the string!
- If the toy doesn’t slide smoothly, adjust the harness, change the slope, or tighten the string. This is where problem-solving comes in!
The STEAM Behind the Fun
- Math: Measure the length of your zipline and experiment with different slopes.
- Engineering: Design a harness that holds your toy securely.
- Physics: See how gravity and slope work together to make your toy zoom.
Differentiation
Younger Kids:
- Keep it simple! Have them wrap a pipe cleaner around the toy and let an adult help with the hook.
- Focus on play—send toys down the zipline over and over. Compare different sizes and weights.
Older Kids:
- Challenge them to design a more complex harness using recycled materials.
- Have them measure the zipline and time how long it takes the toy to travel.
- Encourage problem-solving: What can they change to make the zipline faster or smoother?
