Explore and Play: Tracks and Tunnels

Materials

• tubes and half tubes
• balls or large marbles
• tape

Key Science Concepts

• When a rolling or sliding object hits an obstacle, it will stop or slow down and its direction may change.

Directions

Ask children if they’ve created any tunnels this week while exploring tubes and half tubes. If so, have them demonstrate. 

1. Challenge them to build two kinds of trackways:
   • a track that leads into a tunnel
   • a tunnel that leads to a track

2. Have each child demonstrate his or her two designs. Ask each child to talk about whether one was easier to build than the other, and if so, why they think so.  Ask if any children ran into any problems or challenges (for example, the placement of the tube, too much tape, etc.)