You can also test out angles. Which ramp angles are faster or slower? Which cars move faster? Heavier, lighter, longer, or shorter cars move at different speeds. This is a great way to get them thinking about the way things move!

When you are ready, try adding some texture to your ramps. Let the kids feel the textures and describe them to you. This is a great time to introduce the term “friction” if you would like!

Before they test out the cars, you could ask some questions. Which texture might slow down the car or speed it up as it goes down the ramp. Make predictions on which cars will go faster or slower. Let the kids race cars down the different ramps. You can use a measuring tape to see how far the cars travel off the ramp. Which car goes the farthest? Which car is the slowest? Which car crashes, falls off the ramp, or doesn’t make it to the end?