Science

Sleigh Slide Friction Ramp

Here's one to try together!

Build a tiny sleigh, load it with presents and find out which snowy ramp sends it zooming the farthest!

25 min5 min prepAges 5 and uplow mess

Reviewed by our team.

Safety first

small blocks or erasers are a choking hazard for under 3s
heavy book or board could slip off the cushion and pinch or fall on hands or feet
foil edges can be sharp

What you need

Grown-up prep: Clear a long stretch of floor and set out a book, cushions, ramp covers and a small box or card for the sleigh.

Fold up the sides of your card or box to build a sleigh.
Wrap blocks or erasers in scrap paper to make tiny presents.
Lean the book on one cushion to make a snowy ramp. Ask for help if you need it
Load your presents and let the sleigh go from the top. No pushing!
Ask: How far do you think your sleigh will slide before it stops?
Mark where it stops with tape, then measure how far it went.
Cover the ramp with foil, then the towel, then wax paper, testing each one.
Ask: Which cover do you think will make the sleigh slide the farthest? Why?
Twist time: add more presents or a second cushion. Change just one thing!
Compare all your tape marks to find the winning ramp.
Now race a friend or a grown-up! Can you build an even faster sleigh?
Ask: What would you change next to make your sleigh go even farther?

Bullseye: put a tape target on the floor and adjust the ramp to stop the sleigh right on it.
Mystery surface: find a new cover around the house, like a placemat or a sweater, and predict before you test.
Heavy haul: keep adding one present at a time and see when the sleigh starts going shorter or farther.

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