This bendy, attachable track lets kids shape and play around with essentially a little roller coaster for cars.
How It Works and What Kids Learn
Long, soft track pieces with clickable joints on each end can be connected to make one continuous track. Select track pieces can come rigid–i.e. as a rigid loop to ensure one smooth loop piece is available–and each piece’s underside can have small “wells” under which support poles can prop up the track.
Like a roller coaster, velocity can be achieved drop a car onto the rack from a high point. Kids soon learn hands-on that the cars can only drive so far with so much momentum. Certain track arrangements just won’t work because of kinematics. Battery-powered boosters are available, however, to be placed along the track in case the cars lose momentum. Then, the fun can last longer. Because of the possibility of high-speed projectiles, the toy is suited for ages 7 and up.
Manufacture
Ideally, the track would be soft high-density polyethylene (HPDE) with bendable wire embedded in the plastic. In a pinch, the track can be made bonding the bendable wires on the bottoms of HDPE or flexible PVC door frame linings, which should fit toy cars. Boosters can be made with small motors attached to wheels, turning on or off with a switch.