Kids love playing with LEGO, and they also enjoy exciting experiments. So why not mix both into one super fun STEM activity? A LEGO Zip Line Challenge is the perfect way to keep your kids engaged while teaching them science and engineering in a hands-on way. This article explains everything in simple words and step-by-step, so you can easily try it at home.
What Is a LEGO Zip Line?
A LEGO zip line is a simple project where you build a small "cage" or holder using LEGO bricks. This cage carries a LEGO minifigure and slides down a string from a high point to a low point. As the cage moves, kids learn about gravity, speed, friction, weight, and angles.
The best part? There’s no single right way to do it! Kids can use their imagination and creativity to design different cages, try new ideas, and test what works best.
Why Should You Try This Activity?
Here are a few reasons this activity is great for children:
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It’s easy to set up using things you already have at home.
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Kids learn real science and engineering concepts by playing.
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They can explore ideas through trial and error.
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It promotes creative thinking and problem-solving.
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It’s fun and can be enjoyed by children of different ages.
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It gives parents and children a chance to learn and play together.
Materials You Need
You don’t need any fancy tools or expensive equipment. Just gather these few items:
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LEGO Bricks – Any kind you have at home. Make sure you have some that can help you build a small cage.
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LEGO Minifigure – Any small LEGO person or toy to ride the zip line.
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Thick String or Yarn – This will act as the zip line. It should be strong enough to hold the LEGO cage.
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Tape or Something to Tie the String – You can use a doorknob, back of a chair, curtain rod, or anything that is a bit high.
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Scissors – To cut the string.
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Imagination and Patience!
How to Set Up the LEGO Zip Line
Follow these simple steps to set up your zip line:
Step 1: Build the Cage
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Use LEGO bricks to build a cage or holder that will carry the minifigure.
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The cage should have a hole at the top or a space where the string can pass through.
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It should also be strong enough to hold the minifigure and not fall apart while sliding.
Step 2: Place the Minifigure
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Put the LEGO minifigure inside the cage you built.
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Make sure it fits well and doesn’t fall out.
Step 3: Set Up the Zip Line
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Tie one end of the string to a high place like a doorknob, chair back, or curtain rod.
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Thread the other end of the string through the hole in the cage.
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Pull the string tight and hold it or tie it to a lower spot, so there is a slope (downhill angle).
Step 4: Test the Zip Line
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Push the cage to the top of the string.
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Let go and watch it slide down the string!
Science Concepts Kids Will Learn
This simple activity is full of science. Here are the main things your child can learn:
1. Gravity
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Why does the LEGO cage go down the string and not up?
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Gravity pulls everything down toward Earth.
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Kids can see gravity in action when the cage slides downward.
2. Friction
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If the cage goes slow or gets stuck, it might be because of friction.
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Friction happens when two things rub against each other and slow down motion.
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A smoother cage will have less friction and move faster.
3. Slope (Angle)
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A steeper slope means the cage moves faster.
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A gentle slope slows it down.
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Kids can change the height to see how the angle affects speed.
4. Speed
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Speed tells us how fast something moves.
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Try using a timer to see how long the cage takes to go from top to bottom.
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You can compare different designs to see which is fastest.
5. Weight
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Heavier cages may go faster or slower, depending on other factors.
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Try adding more LEGO bricks to see how weight affects motion.
Fun Experiments to Try
After the first successful ride, don’t stop! Try these experiments to make the activity more fun and educational:
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Make the Zip Line Steeper: Raise the starting point and see if the cage goes faster.
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Change the Cage Design: Try smaller, wider, or heavier cages.
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Change the String Tension: Make the string tighter or looser and see how it affects movement.
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Use Different LEGO Pieces: Try using a round LEGO piece on top instead of a flat one.
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Try a Pulley Wheel: If you have a round LEGO piece or wheel, try using it like a pulley and see what changes.
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Use Different Strings: Try wool, yarn, or fishing line to compare how well the cage moves.
Before each experiment, ask your child to make a prediction: “What do you think will happen if we change this?” This builds critical thinking and helps kids think like scientists.
Make It a Learning Game
Turn this into a game for even more learning:
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Race Two Designs: Build two different cages and see which one is faster.
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Test With a Timer: Use a stopwatch to time each run and keep a chart.
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Design a Challenge: Give your child a goal like “Make the fastest cage,” “Design a cage that goes slowly,” or “Make a cage that doesn’t fall.”
Tips for Success
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Make sure the string is tight, or the cage won’t slide well.
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The hole in the cage should be smooth and not too tight around the string.
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Use a lightweight LEGO person if the cage is small.
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Use a helper if needed—one person can hold the string while the other releases the cage.
STEM Learning Extensions
This activity covers all parts of STEM:
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Science: Gravity, speed, friction, weight.
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Technology: Understanding tools like string and pulleys.
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Engineering: Designing and building the cage structure.
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Math: Measuring angles, time, and comparing results.
Kids will enjoy learning without even realizing it’s a science lesson.
Suitable for All Ages
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Toddlers (with help): Toddlers can help push the cage down the zip line or hold the string. They love seeing the minifigure slide!
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Preschoolers: They can help build simple cages and understand the idea of sliding.
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Older Kids: They can build complex designs, run tests, and record results. Great for school science projects!
Real-Life Example
When my kids did this, they tried more than 10 different designs in one afternoon! They were excited to see which design would win the "fastest cage" contest. Even my 3-year-old helped by sending the cage down and clapping every time it reached the end.
One time, they even added small LEGO trees and rocks to make a little scene around the zip line.
The LEGO Zip Line Challenge is more than just a fun afternoon activity—it’s a chance to teach your child important skills like problem-solving, design thinking, and scientific testing in a simple and exciting way.
No matter how old your child is, they will enjoy building, testing, and improving their LEGO zip line. Plus, you get to enjoy quality time together as a family.
So gather your LEGO bricks, grab a string, and let the zip line adventure begin!
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