Push, Slide, Bounce! Make Your Own Mini-Golf Game
When Sparks’ Crew saves the day at the Super Duper Store, Sara Snap gives the Crew’s raft a strong push. The raft bumps into other objects and bounces off in different directions! You and your child can explore the science how things move with this exciting game. Your child can investigate the strength and direction of pushes. And your child can predict what will happen when an object collides with another object. Celebrate as your child figures out how to reach the finish line!
Materials
Directions
On one long strip of tape, write START. On a second long strip of tape, write FINISH.
Set up a mini-golf course with the strips of tape and boxes (or other objects). Use the image below as an example.
Your child will try to move the lid from START to FINISH with the fewest pushes. Encourage your child to predict what will happen when they push the lid or bounce it off other objects.
Your child can test it out and observe what happens. Keep trying and improving the plan until the lid reaches the finish line. How can you use a push to change the lid’s speed? How does the lid change direction when it bounces off a box?
Explore Further
How many different ways can your child set up a mini-golf course? Try different set-ups. Maybe move the START or FINISH. Maybe add another box. Then play again. Encourage your child to explain how they got the lid where they wanted it to go.
Science