Invent something new and awesome
Invent a simple Rube Goldberg machine using household items to complete a small task, test designs, and learn about energy and cause and effect.
About this activity
Invent a simple Rube Goldberg machine using household items to complete a small task, test designs, and learn about energy and cause and effect.
What you need
Step by step
- 1
Step 1
Pick one small task your machine will do such as landing a marble in a bowl or tipping a cup to drop a toy.
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Step 2
Gather the Materials Needed and bring them to a clear table or floor space.
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Step 3
Draw a quick plan showing at least three steps where one thing will hit or move the next.
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Step 4
Make a ramp by leaning a piece of cardboard against a book and taping it so a marble can roll down.
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Step 5
Set up a line of dominoes or small blocks so the last block will knock into another part.
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Step 6
Attach the string between a clothespin and the cup so the clothespin can hold the cup in place.
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Step 7
Position the cup above the bowl so tipping the cup will drop the toy into the bowl.
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Step 8
Place the marble at the top of the ramp as your starting object.
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Step 9
Release the marble to test if it rolls down the ramp and knocks the dominoes.
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Step 10
Move or tape any parts that miss so each link hits the next more reliably.
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Step 11
Run the full machine from start to finish to see if it completes your chosen task.
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Step 12
Change one thing like the ramp angle or the domino spacing to try a new design.
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Step 13
Run the full machine again to test how your change affected the result.
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Step 14
Share your finished Rube Goldberg machine on DIY.org
Fun facts
How do you make a simple Rube Goldberg machine to complete a small task?
Start by picking a clear, tiny goal (like popping a balloon or ringing a bell). Sketch a chain of 4–6 simple steps that transfer motion or energy—for example, a rolling marble hits dominoes, which tip a cup to release a toy car. Gather materials, build one section at a time, then test and adjust connections. Encourage iterative fixes: change angles, add ramps, or slow motions. Finish by demonstrating the full sequence and talking about cause and effect.
What household materials do I need to build a child-friendly Rube Goldberg machine?
Use safe, common items: marbles or small balls, toy cars, dominoes or blocks, cardboard ramps, paper cups, string, tape, rubber bands, clothespins, spoons, and lightweight boxes. Include scissors, masking tape, and a marker for labeling, plus adult supervision for cutting or heavy objects. Optional extras: balloons, small bells, and post-it notes. Stick to nonbreakable materials and avoid heavy or sharp tools to keep the activity safe and kid-friendly.
What ages is inventing a simple Rube Goldberg machine suitable for?
This activity works well for ages 5 and up with adult help. Ages 5–7 benefit from guided building and simple one- or two-step sequences. Ages 8–12 can design multi-step machines, test iterations, and learn basic physics. Teens can take on complex designs, document results, and lead group builds. Always match the level of independence to the child’s motor skills and attention span, and provide supervision when cutting or using small parts.
What are the benefits of having kids invent a Rube Goldberg machine?
Building a Rube Goldberg machine teaches cause and effect, basic physics (energy transfer, gravity, momentum), and problem-solving through trial and error. It boosts creativity, planning, patience, and fine motor skills. Working together improves communication and teamwork, while iterative testing builds resilience and engineering thinking. The hands-on, playful nature makes STEM concepts memorable and fun, encouraging curiosity and confidence in experimenting with new ideas.
Watch & Learn
Need help?
What can we use if we don't have a small marble or dominoes?
Use a ping-pong ball or small toy car as the starting object and line up stacked coins or LEGO bricks in place of the dominoes so the 'Place the marble' and 'Set up a line of dominoes' steps still work.
The marble didn't knock over the blocks—what should we try?
Re-tape the cardboard to the book to make the ramp sturdier, increase the ramp angle or move the dominoes closer so the marble gains more speed and follows the 'Release the marble' and 'Move or tape any parts that miss' steps reliably.
How can I make this activity easier for preschoolers or more challenging for older kids?
For preschoolers, use a larger ball, pre-set the blocks and help with taping and the clothespin setup, and for older kids add extra steps or sensors when you 'Draw a quick plan' and experiment with the 'Change one thing' step.
What are simple ways to improve or personalize our finished machine?
Decorate the cardboard ramp and cup, add extra steps like a pulley or second ramp, tweak ramp angle or domino spacing as in the 'Change one thing' step, and film the machine to share on DIY.org.