Rube Goldberg Style Machines

Audri Explains, What's a Rube Goldberg Machine?

Watch and listen to his first 18 seconds to find out. Then check out his advanced RG machine later.

Well explained example Start at 2:19

Engineering Kids | Rube Goldberg Machine | TinkerLabHow to build a Rube Goldberg machine with little inventors, ages 4 and up.

Basic Level RG Style Machines

Kindergartners At Work

Series of Basic Tasks

Tea Time

Intermediate Level RG Machines

Using Simple Machines to Pop Balloon

Advanced Level RG Machines

Audri's Rube Goldberg Monster Trap (04:07)

Audri's tenacity is impressive -- and adorable; he was only 7 years old when this video was posted in 2012.

Dog Goldberg Machine (01:21)

This ad for Beneful dog food went viral when it was posted in 2013, but it's not the first brand to try its hand at Rube Goldberg.

Combination of 60 students work, aged 6-12

Professional Level RG Machines

Music Video

OK Go - This Too Shall Pass - Rube Goldberg Machine (03:54)

Let's kick off with the masters of elaborately orchestrated music videos, OK Go. They did this incredibly massive Rube Goldberg machine video in a two-story warehouse in Los Angeles. It took eight main engineers and over 60 takes to get the perfect shot.

Music Video

Crumbs! - Jiwi’s Machines Ep. 1 (05:13)

Jiwi's Machines is a delightful video series that features a single-take Rube Goldberg machine in every episode. While the Chaplin-esque sensibility is endearing, even better is the fact that there are kid-hosted "Science Extra" videos and even lesson plans that explain the physics and simple machines behind each episode!

A four-part web series packed with physical comedy and mechanical mayhem!www.jiwismachines.com/education

Starting with Honda's 2003 Cog (606 takes!), companies like Target, GoldieBox, and Red Bull, among others, have also released Rube Goldberg ads. This is the only one with puppies, though.

Ideas, Tips & Tricks

Ideas to Get YOU Started

11 advanced Steps to Making Better Machines as told by berlagawesome

14min video about simple machines and Rube Goldberg Chain-reaction machines. With the help of kids and educators from the Liberty Science Center in New Jersey, Murray Monster learns how to make a Rube Goldberg machine. Although it's a bit long, the video is still a great explanation for the littlest engineers.

Top 10 Rube Goldberg Machines in Movies (10:52)
How many Rube Goldberg machines can your students name from movies (besides Pee Wee's Big Adventure)? This list is your cheat sheet.
Rube Goldberg Machine AP Physics 2013 (03:09)
You can find hundreds of classroom Rube Goldberg contraptions on YouTube, but this one earned over 300,000 views for its sheer complexity.

More Resources on Rube Goldberg Machines

Whether you're trying to teach all about simple machines, explain the law of conservation of energy, or just want to keep your kids away from the TV for a few hours, a Rube Goldberg machine can be just the thing. The official Rube Goldberg website offers teaching resources, and a number of great lesson plans for all ages can be found online. I've gathered a selection of a few good ones below. Happy contraption making!