Making track marks. Love it or hate it? Our boys are divided on this one. We tried it back in 2014 when Ioan was one. He cried because his tractor got paint on it’s wheels. I tried again a year later and Ioan still hated it but baby Finn loved it. It’s still one of Finn’s favourite activities three years on.
Resources
- Slide lined with paper
- Paint
- Vehicles
Method
Finn enjoys sending his vehicles down to see the tire tracks.
He always uses his fire engine first.
Then his tractor.
And finally, his dustbin lorry. Finn spotted that all the tire tracks were the same width, so were only making one red and green track and one purple and blue track. He had an idea to get the colours in between.
Finn tried rolling Mummy duck down the slide to get some of the colours in the middle.
Next Finn decided to have a slide himself.
Extension
There are so many learning opportunities that have evolved from this activity over the years.
We have used different sized cars to compare wheel sizes and measure the width between the various track marks.
We explored colour mixing by running the vehicles through two paints at a time.
We’ve compared mass and velocity by timing how long different sized vehicles take to come down the slide.
The opportunities are endless!
Expressive arts and design
ELG 16 – Exploring and using media and materials:
Children safely use and explore a variety of materials, tools and techniques, experimenting with colour, design, texture, form and function.
ELG 17 – Being imaginative:
Children use what they have learnt about media and materials in original ways, thinking about uses and purposes. They represent their own ideas, thoughts and feelings through design and technology, art, music, dance, role-play and stories.
