Building a zipline project with your child is a fun little lesson in using machines to accomplish tasks. In this case, ziplines use friction and gravity as tools to solve a problem — transporting an object from one place to another in a fast, efficient manner.

While your kids may be familiar with ziplines from playing on their favorite playground or grabbing some thrills at a local theme park, ziplines can teach kids a lot about designing and engineering.

Do ziplines have real life uses? We often think of them as something that let us catch a thrill, but they do have practical uses. For example, kids may be interested to know that students of Los Pinos, Colombia, get to school with the help of a zipline. That’s right. They’re harnessed up and sent soaring high above a river to get to the other side of the canyon so they can continue their way to school. In this case, ziplines provide a speedy means to overcome a challenging terrain.

The science and engineering of ziplines

When embarking on a zipline project, these are some useful terms to know because each of these components has an impact on how fast your vessel travels along the cable. Whether or not these concepts mesh with your child’s learning level, these are things to keep in mind as you go about designing and building a zipline.

Acceleration: How long does it take for the object to gain enough speed to get to the other side of the zipline? Factors like slope and friction can have an impact on acceleration.

Gravity: The force that pulls us toward the center of the Earth is the main source of “fuel” for the zipline. One way to look at a zipline is controlled gravity.

Friction: As the carrier glides on the line of transmission, friction, or the rubbing of the two objects, can slow the speed. When designing and testing, ask what can be done to reduce friction on the transmission line.

Slope: The angle formed by the starting point and the endpoint of the transmission lines. If an object is going faster or slower on a zipline than desired, consider adjusting the slope to get the results you’re looking for.

Speed: How quickly or slowly the object travels down the transmission line.

Weight: The mass of the object that’s being transmitted can have an impact on speed. Explore ways to add and subtract weight to get the results you’re looking for.

Many ways to build a zipline

Building a homemade zipline is a fun way to work in some hands-on STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) projects. Through the project, they’ll be incorporating the same process that engineers use on a job site: define the problem, brainstorm solutions, design a solution, build it, test it, evaluate it and then revise.

This simple zipline project featured in Mericherry lets kids decorate empty tissue rolls and then send them on their way to a zippy adventure. Simple enough for preschoolers, but engaging for the whole family.

For the ultimate design challenge, raise the stakes with a LEGO Bricks zipline project from Little Bins for Little Hands. First, little builders have to design a carrier from LEGO Bricks. Not only does it have to carry an object from point A to point B without tipping, some extra design work may be needed to keep the LEGO Bricks structure from breaking or coming apart.

Create a carrier for a ping-pong ball, with plenty of how-to and guiding questions to find solutions, from PBS Kids.

This project from 123homeschool4me.com walks you through the steps of leading the project as a home science lesson.

Gravity is the fuel that carries the zipline basket over a canyon. In much the same way, a child’s curiosity and natural inclination will take them to new realms. By doing fun experiments at home and signing them up for engaging activities, like Bricks 4 Kidz after-school sessions, parents can help kids take full advantage of this opportunity to learn and master new things. Find classes in your community today.

Create A Career You Love
Learn More