Build a ramp race with an epic ending
Build a series of adjustable ramps and a dramatic finish jump for toy cars using cardboard, tape, books, and simple measurements and tests.
Step-by-step guide to build a ramp race with an epic ending
Make a Quick Cardboard Ramp
Step 1
Gather all the materials listed and bring them to your workspace.
Step 2
Clear a flat open area on the floor where your ramps can run freely.
Step 3
Measure and mark three ramp pieces on the cardboard with the ruler and pencil about 20 cm 30 cm and 40 cm long.
Step 4
Cut out the three ramp pieces from the cardboard using scissors.
Step 5
Fold a small strip of cardboard into a triangular wedge to make a launch ramp piece.
Step 6
Place the tallest book at the starting spot where your track will begin.
Step 7
Tape the longest cardboard ramp to the top edge of the tallest book so it is firmly in place.
Step 8
Place a medium-height book a bit down the floor where the second ramp should land.
Step 9
Tape the medium cardboard ramp so its top overlaps the bottom of the first ramp by about 5 cm.
Step 10
Place the shortest book near the end of the course where the final ramp will sit.
Step 11
Tape the short cardboard ramp so it overlaps the middle ramp and creates a smooth path.
Step 12
Tape the folded launch wedge to the end of the short ramp to make a steep launch lip.
Step 13
Put a soft landing like a pillow or a small box with cloth a short distance from the launch lip to catch the car.
Step 14
Place a toy car at the top and release it without pushing to watch how it rolls jumps and lands.
Step 15
Make adjustments to book heights ramp overlaps or launch distance to improve the jump and then share your finished creation on DIY.org
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
What can we use instead of cardboard, tape, or books if those are hard to find?
Replace cardboard with cereal boxes or poster board, use binder clips, rubber bands, or strong glue when tape is missing, and stack shoeboxes or wooden blocks instead of the tallest, medium, and shortest books to set ramp heights.
My toy car keeps stopping at the ramp overlaps or wonât jump far enoughâwhat should I try?
If the car stalls at the 5 cm overlap or wonât clear the folded launch wedge, reinforce the taped overlaps with extra tape, smooth the seam with a thin strip of paper, and raise the tallest book to increase starting speed.
How can I adapt the activity for younger children or older kids who want more challenge?
For younger kids pre-cut the 20 cm, 30 cm, and 40 cm ramp pieces and have an adult tape ramps and keep the pillow landing close for safety, while older kids can measure and cut the ramps themselves with the ruler and scissors, experiment with book heights, and time or score jumps for competition.
What are some ways to make the ramp race more exciting or personal?
Decorate and label each cardboard ramp, change ramp lengths or book heights to create difficulty levels, add a finish-line flag at the pillow landing, or rig a small domino or confetti trigger off the launch wedge for an epic ending before sharing on DIY.org.
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Facts about physics and engineering for kids
đŻ A car that flies off a ramp follows projectile motion â its path is a parabola when air resistance is small.
đŠ Corrugated cardboard is lightweight but strong â its fluted layer gives ramps rigidity and load-bearing power.
đ Hot Wheels has produced over 6 billion toy cars since 1968 â thatâs a lot of tiny racers!
đ§Ș Surface friction makes a huge difference: smoother ramps let cars roll farther and faster than rough ones.
đ The inclined plane is one of the six classical simple machines and helps ramp things up by spreading effort over distance.
How do I build a ramp race with a dramatic finish jump for toy cars?
What materials do I need to build adjustable cardboard ramps and a jump?
What ages is a ramp race project suitable for?
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