Ramp Roll Test
Toddler releases balls and cars down a propped board and watches where they go, exploring the trajectory schema.
- Age13 months to 2 years
- Time5 to 15 minutes
- EnergyModerate
- CostFree
- WhereIndoors or out
- Prep5 min
Your toddler sends balls and toy cars rolling down a propped board and watches where they land, a hands-on way to explore how things move and where they go.
How to do it
- Prop one end of a sturdy board or tray on a low cushion or step to make a gentle ramp.
- Sit with your toddler at the bottom and set a few rolling objects at the top.
- Show them once how to let an object go and watch it roll down.
- Hand them an object and let them release it themselves, again and again.
- Talk simply about what happens, such as it went far or it stopped, following their interest.
What you need
- Board
- Cushion
- Rolling objects
Signs it is working
Your toddler places an object at the top and lets it roll. They watch it travel and turn to find where it stopped. They reach for another object to roll again
If it is not quite clicking
Nothing rolls: Make the ramp steeper or choose rounder objects. The ramp slides: Wedge the bottom against a wall. They only want to hold the objects: Let them explore first and try rolling again in a minute
Make it yours
Younger (12-15 months): Keep the ramp low and use only balls that roll easily. Older (2-3 years): Change the steepness and compare which objects roll faster. Siblings: An older child can catch the objects at the bottom
Try this with your child.
Tell PLAI™ about your child and this moment. It shapes the activity to fit.
Try it in the app