End of Summer Activity: Homemade Zip Lines

Race homemade rockets, airplanes, birds, or your own creation on homemade zip lines. Discover how the length and steepness of the line affect how the items move.

Materials

• Paper tube
• Craft supplies (paper, tape, markers, paint, feathers, duct tape, glue, craft sticks, etc.)
• Fishing line or thread

Directions

1. 1. Create an original “racer” by decorating the paper tube as a car, bird, airplane, rocket, or other items with the craft supplies you have available. Allow drying thoroughly if necessary.

1. 1. Locate two sturdy objects to which you can secure the fishing line.
   2. Secure the fishing line to one object.
   3. Thread the racer on to the other end of the fishing line.
   4. Secure the fishing line to the other object.
   5. Slide the racer to one end of the fishing line (the side that is higher).

1. 1. Release the racer and watch it zip across the line.

1. Repeat and experiment with different lengths of line and by changing the heights of objects to which it is secured.