Easy Science Experiments Using Toy Cars

Toy cars are a great tool for learning about forces such as friction, momentum, inertia, and the effect of changing ramp gradients.

For some activities, you’ll need a few extra items, but hopefully, you already have most of them around the house.

Grab some toy cars and start experimenting!

Science investigations using toy cars

1. Toy car friction ramp

Our DIY friction ramp uses a large sheet of thick cardboard split into several lanes. Each lane is covered with a different material. This activity is a great way to demonstrate how some surfaces have more friction between themselves and another object than others.

Homemade friction ramp for a toy car science experiment

2. Balloon-powered toy car

This fun balloon-powered car is made from LEGO. A balloon-powered car is a great way to learn about kinetic energy, potential energy, conservation of energy and Newton’s Laws of Motion.

3. Learn about momentum with a toy car

All moving objects have momentum. Another way to think about momentum is how hard it is to stop a moving object. It’s harder to stop an object moving quickly than an object moving slowly.

Use a toy car to demonstrate and learn all about momentum.

toy car going down a ramp momentum diagram

4. Gradient and speed investigation

Use a ramp to investigate how the distance travelled by a toy car is affected by the slope gradient and the ramp’s surface.

A large storage tray used to make a slide for a small toy. The tray is split into three lanes for a friction investigation. One lane is covered in felt, one bubblewrap and one left as the tray.

5. Magic magnetic cars

Make simple magnet-powered cars to learn about magnetism. Race them, steer them and even design your own race track! These are simple to make and work brilliantly!