*Chadler Bing Voice* Can this STEM activity BE any easier? Listen, I know Pinterest and Instagram like to make you think that an activity has to take hours to set up and be linked to a thematic topic like ice cream or farm animals or Labor Day (okay just kidding about that one). I am all for a good topic, but if you are tired and stressed, these activities aren’t the only way to introduce STEM concepts and language to your kids. This activity is incredibly easy and was still extremely impactful. The best part? It’s a STEM activity for toddlers, babies, preschoolers, elementary aged kids, and even adults! Everyone can be included on the fun!
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Ramps and items that roll are fun for kids of all ages! Through ramp and push/pull play, kids will get a sense of the properties of physical science such as gravity, force, motion, and speed. They will also explore technology through exploration of a simple machine: inclined planes and wheel and axle. They can practice math skills through measurement and counting, and they can practice engineering if they build the ramp themselves! There is something to explore for every age from 0-99. It’s the perfect learning activity for the whole family AND it’s fun too!
Simple Machine for Babies and Young Toddlers
For this activity, my almost 2-year-old used our mini slide and vehicles and balls we had already. You probably have most of the materials you need already!
Babies and young toddlers can focus on the push and pull of materials. My daughter started using the Radio Flyer Walker Wagon around 10 months. Our walkway in our yard had a natural slope so she learned the difference at a young age that pushing the walker wagon down our walkway made her go faster, and when she pushed it up, it was a bit more of a challenge. You probably already have many push and pull toys at home; a ball, toy car, small chair to push or an item attached to a string will work just fine. If you are considering buying an item, the toys below are very thoughtfully made and often can be used for a long time in pretend, unstructured play:
Push/Pull Toys:
Ramps:
Simple Machine for Toddlers
For toddlers, you can create a more intentional activity than you would your baby, and it can still be very easy to set up. There are two options: 1. You can use a premade ramp that already lives at your house such as a slide or 2. You can make a ramp quickly (likely with materials you already have). Below are some ideas:
Already Made Ramps:
Make Your Own Ramp with:
Picasso Tile Ramps and Picasso Tiles
Chairs
Tables
Cardboard Boxes and/or Cardboard
You will also need something to roll down the ramps such as Animal Print Tennis Balls and
To make the ramps, you will need to attach a flat piece of cardboard to a tower of blocks, chair, or table with masking tape.
After you have your materials set up, encourage your child to roll items down the ramp or push them up the ramp. Talk about what they are doing and observe what the car or ball does aloud. Ex: “The car went faster and faster as it went down the ramp. It accelerated!”
Simple Machines for Preschoolers
For your young preschoolers, you could do this same activity and start to incorporate some measurement into it. This could mean you are intentional about comparing how far the items went. Ex: “The car went further than the ball!” Or you could use popsicle sticks, blocks, sticks, a tape measure, or other items you have available to measure out how far the trucks or balls went. Ex: “Wow this ball went 24 popsicle sticks far and the truck went 17 popsicle sticks far.”
Simple Machines for Older Preschoolers and Elementary Age Kids
Older preschoolers and elementary age kids are ready to start incorporating some engineering components. This engineering activity was THEE favorite activity to do in the early engineering after school class I ran. We made our own ball run using the following materials:
Pipe Insulation (Pool Noodles may also work)
Cardboard and/or Cardboard Boxes
Premade Ramp Activities:
Hot Wheels Track and Hot Wheels Clamp or Hot Wheels 6 Lane Ramp
The only prep I would recommend doing for this type of activity is cutting the pipe insulation and pool noodles in half.
To do this activity, work through the engineering cycle with your child:
- Ask: Can we make a roller coaster marble run with these materials?
- Imagine: How can we do this? Where should it start? Where will it end? Will it have hills or turns or loops? In this step, you can encourage “research” by looking at books such as these: Building Marble Runs book, Creative Machines Gravity, or Roller Coasters (How it Works)
- Plan: Next, have your child make a sketch of what they plan to create. Depending on their level, they can also write out the steps and list the materials they will use.
- Create: Encourage your child to follow their plan and create a roller coaster marble run.
- Test: Test out the creation.
- Modify: If it doesn’t work, that’s okay! As I say, “Don’t stop trying-get to modifying!” Encourage your child to go through the process again. Ask what went wrong? Imagine ways to fix it. Plan a way to fix it. Then create it! If it DID work, ask what can you do to make it better? Imagine ways to improve it. Plan a way to improve it. Then create it!
Reflecting on their STEM
After you are done with the activity, make sure to spend some time reflecting on. Let me tell you, I used to ALWAYS skip the “reflection” part of my lesson plans, but as I age, I have become wiser. In my old age (ha), I have found that reflections are actually the MOST VALUABLE part of learning. Reflection allows for the brain to pause and process the experience and create meaning that will help inform our future ideas. Research also shows that talking about past events helps young children grow their vocabularies and develop a sense of time. Reflecting conversations can be directly after the activity, at dinner, when talking with another loved one (perhaps a video call to Grandma), or before bedtime chats. Below are some rich vocabulary words you could use in your reflections:
- Under
- Over
- Push
- Pull
- Move
- Trucks
- Car
- Ball
- Fast
- Slow
- Speed
- Roll
- Measure
- Distance
- Gravity
- Force
- Inclined plane
- Ramp
- Simple Machine
Another way to reflect is to ask your child what they noticed and what they wonder about. If they aren’t developmentally ready for this yet, you yourself can notice and wonder aloud.
“I noticed that the ball kept rolling for a long time after it rolled off the slide.”
“I wonder how the marble stays on the track when it goes in a loop?”
Final Thoughts
This activity is very choose-your-own adventure-esq. You can spend little time in prepping it or a lot of time. You can spend a lot of money or barely any. You can spend days exploring this topic or just an afternoon. There is no right or wrong. Let me know if you will try this in the comments!
