Which Rolls Furthest?

What you need

• a tray propped on a cushion as a ramp
• a soft ball
• a few chunky toys that roll, like a toy car
• a couple of building blocks
• a sock

How to do it

1. Prop one end of a tray on a cushion to make a slope.
2. Let go of the ball at the top and watch where it stops. Mark the spot with a sock.
3. Try the toy car, then the block. Which went furthest? Which didn't roll at all?
4. Make the slope higher with a second cushion and try again.

Why it matters

Things that look alike can behave very differently on a slope, and the only way to know is to try each one.

What they're learning

Testing ideas

Rolling each thing the same way and comparing is a fair test.

Comparing distance

Further, nearer and the same are words for where things stop.

Letting go

Placing something at the top and releasing it without a push takes care.

What to look for

Notice them predicting which one will go furthest before they let it go.

A tip

Keep the toys chunky, too big to fit through a toilet roll tube, and roll them on a clear floor away from stairs.

More like this

Pedal Path from 30 months · 10-15 min Wall Push Plank from 16 months · 5-10 min Big Ball Roll from 14 months · 5-10 min Loud And Quiet Dance from 24 months · 30-45 min